Tuesday, February 22, 2022

An Interesting Printing Block - Schwinn Lightweight

 Here's an interesting find I picked up recently: a printing block that depicts an early 1950 Schwinn lightweight. This appears to be the sort of block that could print a catalog or sales brochure. I'll need to find an ink pad to try it out. It looks pretty old and it should make a fun addition to post cards and Christmas cards I write.


Construction is a wood backer with the printing face being made of a waxy, hard rubber type material. 



Tuesday, February 15, 2022

Slow Time of the Year for Bikes

 I'm still working gradually toward converting all of my bikes to LED lights. I think I am in the home stretch for the conversions.

  • 1958 Raleigh Sports - no change, vintage Miller headlight shell with built-in LED. Rechargable battery type.
  • 1963 Raleigh roadster - no change, Dynohub to original light set, but with LED bulbs (Reflectalite kit bulbs).
  •  1974 Raleigh Sports - no change, Dynohub to B&M Lumotec classic LED and stock tail.
  • 1960s Schwinn Racer - conversion to Soma/Kiley LED front and Soma torpedo rear. Both LEDs (AAA battery type). [DONE]
  • 1964 Schwinn Traveler - conversion to Soma/Kiley LED front and Soma torpedo rear. Both LEDs (AAA battery type). [DONE]
  • 1950 Schwinn Superior - conversion to Soma/Kiley LED front and Soma torpedo rear. Both LEDs (AAA battery type). [DONE]
  •  1947 Schwinn New World - conversion to Soma/Kiley LED front and Soma torpedo rear. Both LEDs (AAA battery type). [Still need to finish this conversion]

 

This leaves two bikes that may not see a conversion:

  • 1978 Raleigh DL-1: Union halogen bottle generator kit. Looks like a 1980s light set. Considering other options, but nothing changing too soon.
  • 1936 Schwinn Henderson: No lights. This was my grandfather's bike and is going to stay more or less as-is. It needs a going over again and some new tires, but nothing big.