Silverbear's American Flyer #2

I have the good fortune to live in the Superior National Forest of Northeastern Minnesota, a state with over 12,500 lakes, most of which are in the northeastern portion, known as "the arrowhead". Nearby is the Vermilion Reservation of Ojibwa Indians. I am a mixed blood myself, but not Ojibwa. Pictured here is the other 63 American Deluxe. I like the white with all the chrome. I'll share a secret... as originally made and sold, the bike had pink trim on the chrome tank, chain guard and seat. Ditch the seat for a wide Worksman and remove the pink from the tank and chain guard (I did leave the Schwinn Deluxe lettering) and it instantly changes the bike from girlyman to "step through". Now it is officially a step through cruiser, remember that as my manhood is at stake. To my eye the bikes look more different from each other than they should for the few actual differences. The headlight is out front and lower and the gas tank is from an Iron Horse lawn mower. I tried it crosswise and lengthwise and am still thinking about which way it should go. I think maybe the way it is. The rear carrier is actually a front rack. I put it in a vise to change the connecting portion bend, put a small hose clamp on the seat post at the height I want the seat, slid a large washer of the right size on to the post which is held in place by the hose clamp. Now I slide the connector for the rack which originally fit onto the front fork goose neck. Now another hose clamp on top so the rack can't travel up or down, but is held firmly in place. Then the seat. It works fine, looks good and is very secure. i hope some of you like these old American step throughs. I get lots of compliments and many questions. Now that I am embarking on building bikes for sale, these Americans are going to get new paint, the new fender lights and new chrome fenders. I have some classy Indian gas tank decals.. (nos and not vinyl stickers) for the final dressing up. They will be the advertising bikes which I will ride around wherever the rich folks are. No, they don't pretend to be any motorbicycle that Indian ever made, but one they might have and is in the spirit of. They are Americans and the rider/builder is Indian, so that's good enough for me to eventually refer to them as American Indians. Yeah. They are going to be my signature motorbicycle, aimed at the geezer crowd. Pull start, centrifugal clutch, fat tires, step through and easy to ride. I hope it's a winner.
Silverbear

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Someday when I grow up I will probably lose interest in toys with wheels, but until then...

Nice clean build really nice. Rare to see a "step thru".

Silverbear that is a winner. Alot of people getting older and
slinging their leg up over the top bar can be a chore and not
enjoyable. I know because I am alot older than people realize.

Very nice silverbear, looks really good I like it

Nice bike Silver.,I like those handle bars,white wall tires,and the gas tank P.S. I just made hot letter today."Blakenstein"

Silver B,
That is a lovely ride, sir. I had to giggle a little at the first pic, the one by the lake. Your engine seemes to have just a little vibration issue there...
All kidding aside, your beautiful step-through makes me want to try to convince my wife to let me put a motor on that classic Huffy she found in her dad's shed. It's hanging in my garage right now and just begging for something to be done with. I'll keep you posted.
Tom

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Age and Treachery Will Always Triumph
Over Youth and Skill

Thanks for the nice comments everyone.
Tom, I had to look twice at that picture of the white bike, too. In the photo it looks like the motor is vibrating like crazy and it wasn't running! The rest of the photo is clear enough. What's with that, I wonder. Glad you like the bike. I'm not really done on either one and the white bike needs to have the ignition module moved to the seat post as it is on the blue one. Along with the slant head facing backwards it gives quite a lot of room for your leg to pass through. It works for me and I still like looking at them. These Americans have a low dip in the upper bar which allows a low engine mount. Some step through bikes are pretty high up.
Silverbear

__________________
Someday when I grow up I will probably lose interest in toys with wheels, but until then...

just hsaving anothetr klook

Silver Bear, that is a sweet looking bike. Do like the idea of a step through rather than the embarassment of trying to get my leg over the bar.
That side show makes a step through the lesser of the two embarrassments. Nothing like the joy of a 6 year old saying as your trying to recover your leg thats caught on the bar, 'are you OK mister'.

Amazing how every one in ear shot turns to see who thier talking about.

Steve

That's funny, Steve, but unfortunately also true. For some of us getting on and off is the hard part of motorbicycling. Some of the low slung cars are like that for me... can't get in without contortions and can't get out once I've fought my way in. Got to drive a truck or jeep... or a step through motorbicycle!

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Someday when I grow up I will probably lose interest in toys with wheels, but until then...