Two Wheels, No Motors

**cheesy** · 04-02-2012, 07:58 PM

Hey, been away for a while. Work on the CX has stalled for the time being, poised to resume shortly.

That said, I let myself get talked into attending the Working Bikes Co-op Vintage Bicycle Silent Auction on Chicago's south side last Saturday. www.workingbikes.org Being one of little willpower when it comes to old bicycles, Mrs. Cheesy insisted I take the Wrangler, and not the F150, so as not to bring anything home.

Didn't work.

It's possible to cram a lot of stuff behind the front seats of a Jeep.

What you are seeing is an early to mid-fifties Chicago built Monark Rocket with a Bendix 2sp Power Brake hub. Not only is the hub complete, it works. Some new rubber, a new stem bolt, and lots of lube and I'll be riding this one to work. If I ever get to stay in my office.*

Next is a 1955 Schwinn Spitfire, also built in Chicago. I snagged this one for $10. I bought it because this is what I learned to ride on over, cough cough, fifty, cough cough, years ago. Same color, too. And after my three siblings and a couple of neighbor kids, it looked just as bad. Cool tires, though.

Lastly, the five buck prize I bought for my granddaughter. I think it is Italian and it's very well built. I kind hovered over it, scarring other bidders away. :wink: It has 12" tires, hand brakes, and a kickstand.

I do not have a problem.

*See statement regarding CX.

katoranger · 04-02-2012, 09:01 PM

My Grandfather rode a WWII vintage Dayton to work everyday. Year round in Minnesota. He did that for 50 years well into his eighties.

Weldangrind · 04-02-2012, 09:22 PM

I heard about those 2 speed Bendix hubs as a kid, but never got to try one. Love the tires on the Italian bike. 8)

FastDoc · 04-02-2012, 11:44 PM

Great looking bikes.

Ever come across a 5 speed Apollo Chopper? Raleigh IIRC?

Weldangrind · 04-03-2012, 12:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FastDoc

Great looking bikes.

Ever come across a 5 speed Apollo Chopper? Raleigh IIRC?

I wanted one of those so bad!

FastDoc · 04-03-2012, 01:34 AM

My father bought me one shortly before he died. I was 8 or so. The bike was then stollen while I was riding it in the park by a mugger. I'd really like to see a bike like that one again, it means a lot to me.

Jim · 04-03-2012, 02:24 AM

Cool bikes

**cheesy** · 04-03-2012, 08:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FastDoc

Great looking bikes.

Ever come across a 5 speed Apollo Chopper? Raleigh IIRC?

Not one I could afford, Doc. Sorry yours got ripped off.
Sad to say, the Raleigh Chopper is right up there with the Schwinn Crates when it comes to price.

FastDoc · 04-03-2012, 11:15 AM

Just out of curiosity, what does a mint one go for?

**cheesy** · 04-03-2012, 04:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FastDoc

Just out of curiosity, what does a mint one go for?

After a bit o' checking, The Apollo was by Ross, not Raleigh but appears to be a similar design.

Here are a few things I gleaned from eprey.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/1979-ROSS-AP...item5d33054fb1

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Raleigh-Chop...item27c58455dd

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-1971...item519d4a6378

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Ross-Apollo-...item256ef51735

Makes me wish I'd taken better care of my bikes as a kid.

FastDoc · 04-03-2012, 04:34 PM

Holy $#%^ are those a lot of money! Still cool though. In their day they were the coolest. I was The Fonz on that bike long befor The Fonz was the Fonz.

My introduction to The World and sin occured that year when I was 8. My father was murdered and my little bike was stollen at knifepoint.

SpudRider · 04-03-2012, 11:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FastDoc

Holy $#%^ are those a lot of money! Still cool though. In their day they were the coolest. I was The Fonz on that bike long befor The Fonz was the Fonz.

My introduction to The World and sin occured that year when I was 8. My father was murdered and my little bike was stollen at knifepoint.

Ah, the joys of a New Jersey childhood. :( I am saddened to learn your father survived the Holocaust, only to be murdered in New Jersey.

Spud :(

SpudRider · 04-04-2012, 12:00 AM

Thanks for checking in; we missed you!

Those are very nice bicycles, Cheesy!

I can't believe the great deals you got on those bikes!

I also can't believe the prices people are getting for those choppers! 8O

Spud

FastDoc · 04-04-2012, 12:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SpudRider

Quote:

Originally Posted by FastDoc

Holy $#%^ are those a lot of money! Still cool though. In their day they were the coolest. I was The Fonz on that bike long befor The Fonz was the Fonz.

My introduction to The World and sin occured that year when I was 8. My father was murdered and my little bike was stollen at knifepoint.

Ah, the joys of a New Jersey childhood. :( I am saddened to learn your father survived the Holocaust, only to be murdered in New Jersey.

Spud :(

Tell me about it.

Sinful world. Not home. Temporary problem.

We can talk about it when we visit, I don't want to hijack this cool thread.

**cheesy** · 04-07-2012, 07:59 PM

Started working on this one this afternoon, after finishing up mounting a front receiver hitch and new stereo on the Jeep.

Using forensic testing, I have deduced that the little poop was 'Made in England'. At least, that's what's stamped on the hubs and BB spindle. :wink: The single speed freewheel is a Villers and that is also English. The BB spindle also provided a date code of May 1961. 8O

Pretty cool that I came home with three bikes and all are over 50 years old.

04-02-2012, 07:58 PM	#1
cheesy Moderator Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Elburn, IL Posts: 5,846	Two Wheels, No Motors Hey, been away for a while. Work on the CX has stalled for the time being, poised to resume shortly. That said, I let myself get talked into attending the Working Bikes Co-op Vintage Bicycle Silent Auction on Chicago's south side last Saturday. www.workingbikes.org Being one of little willpower when it comes to old bicycles, Mrs. Cheesy insisted I take the Wrangler, and not the F150, so as not to bring anything home. Didn't work. It's possible to cram a lot of stuff behind the front seats of a Jeep. What you are seeing is an early to mid-fifties Chicago built Monark Rocket with a Bendix 2sp Power Brake hub. Not only is the hub complete, it works. Some new rubber, a new stem bolt, and lots of lube and I'll be riding this one to work. If I ever get to stay in my office.* Next is a 1955 Schwinn Spitfire, also built in Chicago. I snagged this one for $10. I bought it because this is what I learned to ride on over, cough cough, fifty, cough cough, years ago. Same color, too. And after my three siblings and a couple of neighbor kids, it looked just as bad. Cool tires, though. Lastly, the five buck prize I bought for my granddaughter. I think it is Italian and it's very well built. I kind hovered over it, scarring other bidders away. :wink: It has 12" tires, hand brakes, and a kickstand. I do not have a problem. *See statement regarding CX. __________________ Cheesy ______________________________________ 07 Hi Bird Enduro-Flown the Coop 07 Ural Gear Up 79 Honda CX500 77 VeloSolex 4600 V3 73 VeloSolex 3800 I'm making this up as I go.-Indiana Jones Telling me something 'is for my own good', is a fast way to a fat lip.-Me I don't even care about my own problems, why should I care about yours?-Quote on one of my favorite t-shirts
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04-02-2012, 09:01 PM	#2
katoranger Join Date: May 2007 Location: Altamont, Kansas Posts: 15,103	My Grandfather rode a WWII vintage Dayton to work everyday. Year round in Minnesota. He did that for 50 years well into his eighties. __________________ You meet the nicest people on a Honda Clone.
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04-02-2012, 09:22 PM	#3
Weldangrind Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Sardis, BC, Canada Posts: 25,977	I heard about those 2 speed Bendix hubs as a kid, but never got to try one. Love the tires on the Italian bike. 8) __________________ Weldangrind "I figure I'm well-prepared for coping with a bike that comes from the factory with unresolved issues and that rewards the self-reliant owner." - Buccaneer
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04-02-2012, 11:44 PM	#4
FastDoc Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Southeastern Washington desert Posts: 14,761	Great looking bikes. Ever come across a 5 speed Apollo Chopper? Raleigh IIRC? __________________ Happy to serve.
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04-03-2012, 01:34 AM	#6
FastDoc Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Southeastern Washington desert Posts: 14,761	My father bought me one shortly before he died. I was 8 or so. The bike was then stollen while I was riding it in the park by a mugger. I'd really like to see a bike like that one again, it means a lot to me. __________________ Happy to serve.
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04-03-2012, 02:24 AM	#7
Jim Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Abbotsford, BC, Canada Posts: 4,880	Cool bikes __________________ "Be excellent to each other" "We are all human. Let's start to prove it!"
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04-03-2012, 11:15 AM	#9
FastDoc Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Southeastern Washington desert Posts: 14,761	Just out of curiosity, what does a mint one go for? __________________ Happy to serve.
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04-03-2012, 04:34 PM	#11
FastDoc Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Southeastern Washington desert Posts: 14,761	Holy $#%^ are those a lot of money! Still cool though. In their day they were the coolest. I was The Fonz on that bike long befor The Fonz was the Fonz. My introduction to The World and sin occured that year when I was 8. My father was murdered and my little bike was stollen at knifepoint. __________________ Happy to serve.
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04-04-2012, 12:00 AM	#13
SpudRider Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Idaho Posts: 25,054	Thanks for checking in; we missed you! Those are very nice bicycles, Cheesy! I can't believe the great deals you got on those bikes! I also can't believe the prices people are getting for those choppers! 8O Spud __________________ Spud "Never argue with an idiot. He will drag you down to his level, and beat you with experience." Mark Twain 2015 Zongshen ZS250GY-3 (RX3) 2006 Zongshen ZS200GY-2 (Sierra 200) 2005 Honda XR650L 2004 Honda CRF250X 1998 Kawasaki KDX220 Mods made to my Zongshen ZS200GY-2: http://www.chinariders.net/showthread.php?t=6894
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04-07-2012, 07:59 PM	#15
cheesy Moderator Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Elburn, IL Posts: 5,846	Started working on this one this afternoon, after finishing up mounting a front receiver hitch and new stereo on the Jeep. Using forensic testing, I have deduced that the little poop was 'Made in England'. At least, that's what's stamped on the hubs and BB spindle. :wink: The single speed freewheel is a Villers and that is also English. The BB spindle also provided a date code of May 1961. 8O Pretty cool that I came home with three bikes and all are over 50 years old. __________________ Cheesy ______________________________________ 07 Hi Bird Enduro-Flown the Coop 07 Ural Gear Up 79 Honda CX500 77 VeloSolex 4600 V3 73 VeloSolex 3800 I'm making this up as I go.-Indiana Jones Telling me something 'is for my own good', is a fast way to a fat lip.-Me I don't even care about my own problems, why should I care about yours?-Quote on one of my favorite t-shirts
	0