Tank frame bicycles

GoldenMotor.com

biknut

Well-Known Member
Sep 28, 2010
6,631
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Dallas
Your first picture of the Schwinn Panther is called a three bar frame because it has a top tube, middle tube, then the down tube in the front frame triangle. Also called a straightbar frame as the center tube just below the tank is straight. The Schwinn DX frame middle tube is curved.
Thanks for explaining that Pat. That's what I was kind of thinking you meant.
 

maniac57

Old, Fat, and still faster than you
Oct 8, 2011
4,484
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memphis Tn
I can only barely remember one tank frame bicycle I had. I'm pretty sure it was a JC Higgins. It was, I'm thinking green and chrome, but I could be confusing it with something else. It had dual headlights in the tank, but I seldom had batteries for them. They weren't very bright anyway as I remember. I was about 7 or 8 then. One of my other bikes was Murray bicycle that had a headlight on the front fender. I can't remember if it was a tank frame, but I'm pretty sure it was. Both bikes seemed like huge bicycles to me then. It seems like it must have been in my last life it was so long ago.
I had several tank-frame bikes with headlights and once, even a radio in the tank. I remember one with sirens, motor noises and a AM radio that I loved! It would not work as a fuel tank but the look was great! They have a certain motorcycle vibe that I loved as a kid, and love even more as an adult:confused:
 

chainmaker

Well-Known Member
Jan 19, 2010
2,634
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Ma USA
Never had a tank bike as a kid they were before me- never even had my own bike until i builtnmy first mb. But I saw one of Norms Panthers then one of Pats and that was it. Now I am always on the look out for them- just wish there were more around at an affordable price.
 

biknut

Well-Known Member
Sep 28, 2010
6,631
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Dallas
Never had a tank bike as a kid they were before me- never even had my own bike until i builtnmy first mb. But I saw one of Norms Panthers then one of Pats and that was it. Now I am always on the look out for them- just wish there were more around at an affordable price.
A good example of a Panther would probably be $3500. I'd much rather pay $800 for a new Felt Deep 6.
 

Harold_B

Active Member
May 23, 2012
997
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Grand Rapids, MI
Perhaps the great weather in CA is part of that. I bought my cruiser on sale after it sat on the showroom floor for two years because people in MI don't get into cruisers as much. Surprising considering all of the beachside parks. People here are starting to catch on that vintage cruisers have value. On the other hand they seem to think every rusty pile of metal older than five years is "vintage".
 

biknut

Well-Known Member
Sep 28, 2010
6,631
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Dallas
We're very fortunate here in So-Cal... There are plenty of those old tank bikes still around for a reasonable price. :)
Dallas is considered one of the worst bicycle city's in America. I can't even remember seeing one single vintage tanker in all the years I've lived here.