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Conference noted::bicycle

Title: Bicycling
Notice:Bicycling for Fun
Moderator:JAMIN::WASSER
Created:Mon Apr 14 1986
Last Modified:Fri Jun 06 1997
Last Successful Update:Fri Jun 06 1997
Number of topics:3214
Total number of notes:31946

2969.0. "Looking for an old tandem..." by ASIC::RDAIGLE () Thu May 25 1995 16:29

Recently, a friend let my wife and I borrow an old Huffy one speed tandem 
for the weekend. This monster had a frame that was "boy's" in the front 
and "girl's" in the back. Had whitewall 26 X 1.75 tires with nice chrome
fenders. The chainguard (about 4 feet long!) had the name Daisy daisy
on it with musical notes. Seats were two tone white & red. Also had
an old headlight and a front hand brake. Some chrome was pitted and there 
were a few scratches, but all in all it was in good shape. Well, we just
fell in love with it! We offered to buy it but he won't part with it. 

We do NOT want a new tandem (like a Burley or Santana for $1500 to $3000). 
We want to get an old clunker like this one for just plain old fun, 
pedaling along The Cape Cod Rail trail or on Nantucket's quiet roads. 

I have no idea what a bike like this would be worth. Looks to be around 
1965 vintage.(?) Rare collectible? I don't want a showpiece, just a fun, 
daily rider. Are there any dealers or sources (periodicals like Hemmings 
for cars) which specialize in older bikes like this? 

Thanks for any info,

~Richard Daigle
 MRO1
 Marlborough, Mass.
                    
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2969.1STOWOA::SWFULLERFri May 26 1995 10:405
    There is always some in the Want Ads.  
    
    I remember the end of last year, Bike Alley had an older english
    tandem...Bob Jackson??...they wanted $950 for.  Although this appears
    above what you are looking for
2969.2NOVA::FISHERnow |a|n|a|l|o|g|Fri May 26 1995 10:4316
    I know some folks who have something like that.  One speed, balloon
    tires.  Seldom is it a rare collectible, though the current owner
    might think so, it would have to be something special to be such.
    It's more a fun bike than anything else, certainly not a serious
    touring machine -- by which I mean I don't think anyone would
    enjoy spending a week or so camping with it but half day tours
    might be enjoyable.
    
    I'd expect $50 to $200 for something in working condition without
    a lot of rust.  Even then I'd be ready to swap out the tires and
    chains, and polish up a few things, maybe some grease, a little paint,
    
    The .0 kind of machine is a lot different from anything going for
    more than $500.  :-)
    
    ed
2969.3thanks for the info...ASIC::RDAIGLEFri May 26 1995 11:1315
    
    RE .1: Yeah, $950 is a lot more than I want to spend on something
           I'll ride maybe once a week, if that. Thanks for the pointer
           to the want advertiser. Seems every time I look in there for
           something there aren't any that week! 
    
    RE .2: I was *hoping* I could find one in the $50 - 150 range. I had
           my suspicions that single speed tandems from say 1955 onwards
           would not be real collectible as opposed to solo bikes from
           the same era. Just too damn big and heavy! Any chance the folks
           you know might want to part with theirs?
    
    Thanks for the responses,
    
    ~Richard
2969.4Anyone know how to tell year of mfg?BIRDIE::WHYNOTMalibu SkierTue Oct 17 1995 12:0526
I just aquired an old tandem bike and was wondering if anyone knows how to 
tell the year of manufacture of this behemoth...

Make:   Columbia Twosome made in Westfield, Mass  S.N. TS10811

Tires:  Kelly Springfield Sure Stop 26x1.75 (wide white side walls)
        also says "Made in U.S.A. 2-6786  40-45 lbs"
                                  [ ^^ date code perhaps? ]

Brakes: front-Weinmann type 1020 hand brake; rear-coaster brake.

Color: Green metallic w/hand painted pinstripes.
       Seats are white w/silver fleck and white handgrips.
       [ definately '60s colors ]


This still has the original "Malden Cycle Supply" sticker on it.

The condition is very good overall but the chrome fenders need to be 
cleaned up a bit (very slight surface rust in spots).

Anyone know what this bike might be worth (probable not too much) and
when it was made?

Thanks,
Doug Whynot