In the race to build the better death trap, back in the 70's some coked-out disco inferno decided to give the common Schwinn Krate an extra joint. Not dope, they added an extra pivot directly under your taint. Instead of stability, they thought it wise for the frame to be as stiff as wilted celery. Why not let the ass-end of the rig whip around on the edge of control? In this current time of Political Correctness and pussification, this design marvel would never get mass produced because part of the fun is jack-knifing and smashing the shit outta your shins. That's why I'm starting the hunt. There's gotta be one show up on Craigslist just fucking begging for me to crush myself trying to master the "cloverleaf".
I always ask myself...What Would Jimmy Osmond Do?
I see them on CL every once in a while... latest was a month or so up here in Seattle. I think dude wanted something silly like 450 bucks.
ReplyDeleteLooking at bikes on CL is a habit I cannot break. I don't know why.
Yah, I keep checkin my local Santa Barbara CL bike listings and it's all junk. It's filled with fixed gear faggets, used $400 1987 Peugots, and $40 Meximobiles.
ReplyDeleteshin guards, knee highs + spando... vizualize new levels of cyclist happiness
ReplyDeleteWe've got two of them up and running. I strongly encourage you to purchase a welder, and to use brakes.
ReplyDeletehttp://seattle.craigslist.org/sno/bik/1875604810.html
ReplyDeleteI will sell you my my swing for $150! and you'll be able to save it. You are the 3rd person Ive sent a message to tonight, Christmas Eve,,,,well it's Christmas now at 12:09 am... any way pay shipping pay me it's yours of course pictures upon request,, will need the front sprocket to ride it at least as I bent it myself in storage,,,I built this bike 30 years ago and now it's leaving soon,,,to the first person that puts 150 bucks in my bank account or my hand and it'll ship that very day UPS MY #is 36zero7zero855one7
ReplyDeleteStill have it? Stoneymarony@yahoo.com
DeleteDo you still have it?
DeleteA few of these classic "DEATH MACHINES" found their way to Perth Western Australia in the late 70's, where my Father thought it would be a fantastic Xmas present for me. First time I rode it, the back wheel swung out too far and hooked around a small tree. As you can imagine, the bike stopped dead in it's tracks, but I kept going, straight over the handle bars.
ReplyDeleteI had a blast on that bike, riding down the street yelling for help coz my bike had snapped and I couldn't stop! The look on peoples faces was priceless! Man I miss that bike....LOL
In 1974 I lived in Logan Utah and I was part of the original testing of these bikes. My friends dad was the president of the swing bike company. They gave me several bikes for testing in all colors. We had a blast until the company took off and my friend moved away. They took all the bikes with them.
ReplyDeleteHey! You are speaking of my family. We moved back to Spokane. The inventor of the bike was my dad and he left and went to Twain and then on to Perth. Which explains why the bike was all over the world.
DeleteI HAVE AN ORIGINAL FIRST YR PRODUCTION ORANGE SWING BIKE, HAS A FULL CHAIN GAURD INSTEAD OF JUST THE CIRCULAR SPROCKET PROTECTOR, ANY ONE KNOW THE VALUE OF A BIKE LIKE THIS JEREMYTTR@YAHOO.COM
ReplyDeleteStill rocking a green swing bike. Goes with my 1980ish Mongoose BMX bike ;)
ReplyDeleteI bought a new blue swingbike in 1977. I rode it for the summer of 77 and 78. I broke it down and put it back in the box. The box fit between two studs I my moms shed. I nailed a 2x4 across the box to hold it in place. I knew it was there and always wondered what condition it was in but never checked it. In 2010 my mom was going to put s new roof on the shed. She didn't want anything to happen to my bike so she had my step-dad bring the bike over to my house. The box was dry-rotted so he through it away. All the parts was there so I cleaned it up and put it back together. It looks like new yet. I took it back to the bike shop where I bought it to show him. He thought it looked great. He went to the back room and pulled out the paperwork from when he ordered the bike. That was neat to see that. I continued to ride the swingbike around town (not like in 78 when I was younger) . It still turns heads when people see it in action. There is a local bike show coming up and I think I'll take it and show it. Not to many people have seen a swingbike. It's still a lot of fun 35 years later.
ReplyDeleteAre you looking to sell it? Email me at austinjperry@gmail.com
DeleteStill been fun 40 years latter.
DeleteThe ones in the YT video aren't originals but looks a good build.
DeleteStill been fun 40 years latter.
DeleteI have a tottaly original paint is pited fenders are pitted still CROME YEllow swing tiers are original & hold air and its" fing awsom "not hard to ride at all lol if u want it im in montpelier vt I also have.some other vintage sweetys 539harold@gmail.com it's yours for right $ ill do way better than the prices I see them four cuz I will love it like I cant!
ReplyDeleteI have a tottaly original paint is pited fenders are pitted still CROME YEllow swing tiers are original & hold air and its" fing awsom "not hard to ride at all lol if u want it im in montpelier vt I also have.some other vintage sweetys 539harold@gmail.com it's yours for right $ ill do way better than the prices I see them four cuz I will love it like I cant!
ReplyDelete