Good Weather, For a Change

 This summer has generally oscillated between two extremes - very hot and humid, or cool and rainy. We haven't had very many "pleasant days". That changed this week. Although we had some Canadian wildfire spillover smoke, the weather was dry and generally quite pleasant. That is a welcomed change. It gave me a chance to take out a few vintage bikes.

 The week started off suitably warm, with lots of wildfire smoke in the air. This 1947 Raleigh Model 35 bicycle is one of the best-riding bikes I've ever owned. I'd put it in the top-3 - very comfortable, reasonably light, and pleasant all around. 

Typical of 1940s Raleighs, this bike has cloth-covered brake cables. These covers add character to the bike, but are often somewhat dry and fragile today. This has a decent set of covers. Some areas have been patched with matching, black heat-shrink tubing.  Other areas, such as the one below are still in really nice shape.

The smoke haze is visible in the sky, at the top of the photo below. It has some smell to it, but conditions still are not too bad for riding.

 As the week progressed, the temperatures dropped a bit, it stayed dry, and the smoke subsided. I took out this beautiful 1959 Schwinn Traveler. While the Raleigh Model 35 is a basic bike that was meant for everyday work, the 1959 Traveler is more ornate and decorated in the "American" style of the 1950s. The Traveler is a heavier, more deluxe bike.

 I love the winged-oval badges on these Schwinns.

 Period touches include a 1950s style "Cadillac" emblem pin.

 

 

Later in the week, I took out this 1970 Raleigh DL-1. The DL-1 is unlike anything else on the road. It has a heavy frame, large wheels, and a very long wheelbase. Full-sized, rod brake roadsters are in a league of their own.

 

All of my rider bikes have LED lights on them. I ride on the local roads, and these help with visibility. I use the lights even during the daytime to help myself be seen. Safety is always a concern on the public roads here in the USA these days.

 

 

 

Summer Rides - 1947 Schwinn Continental Three Speed

 

Today we have a few photos of a very nice 1947 Schwinn Continental. This early version of the Continental, unlike the later 10-speed bikes, is a hand brazed frame of Cr-Mo tubing with a premium paint and decal finish. It has very nice, stainless steel rims and a good set of hubs. 

Sometimes I meet other collectors/riders who want a premium three speed, but also something out of the ordinary. One of the bikes I often recommend is the 1940s-50s Schwinn Continental. These bikes are reasonably light weight for their time, and ride very nicely once property set up with a good saddle. The only drawback are the 597mm rims, which have limited tire choices today (Kenda tires mainly). 

These Continentals are handsome bikes made to a high standard, roughly equal to a mid-range Raleigh of the same time period. They're certainly a step above the basic models, though perhaps not quite as high in performance as a Raleigh Clubman. They have a certain cachet, being an old, Made-in-USA product.

There are other options for "unusual" three speeds for the person who wants an out-of-the-ordinary bike. But the Continental is certainly something to add a little variety to the more usual Raleigh Sports and similar bikes from England. 

 

 

July 2025 - Some Ride Photos

 A few ride photos from this week - 1970 Raleigh DL-1 and 1960 Schwinn Traveler. 

This 1970 DL-1 is in excellent shape. I did most of the refurbishing last fall, but finished things up this spring with some final changes and adjustments to the bike. It came to me in decent shape through a Craigslist sale. It rides very nicely and, I think, came out beautifully.

 

The 24-inch frame, 28-inch wheel DL-1 is a big bike. It towers over most others on the road. It is not an agile machine, but it is certainly a durable and steady one.

 

This bike has some beautiful decals by H. Lloyd in England. Their graphics are very close to the originals and of very high quality. I recommend them for any quality restoration of a vintage bike.

 

This 1960 Schwinn Traveler came in this spring as a tire, old newspaper or mail bike. But these bikes are so durable and well-made that refurbishing still brought out the best in it. This Travelers have a little extra showiness, typical of mid-century American design. It's also a great rider.

 

Matching green dice valve caps round out the classic, 1950s-60s American look.