Got a Burnt Orange Vehicle (Pedal Powered)

[Old Moparz]

I decided I don't want to die in front of the computer or TV this winter, so I have to do some exercise. I used to be pretty active with my last job, land surveying, but now I'm in the office 99% of the time. I can feel it when I do have to do something now, I get tired faster. I tried my old Schwinn road bike that I've had since I was 15 years old, but it was not the type of bike suited for where I live now. The roads are more narrow here, & there's lots of sand & gravel at the edge of the pavement. I almost took a spill one day when the skinny tires started to slide sideways on me. The whole idea was to exercise to extend my life, not shorten it.   

The old bike is still in excellent shape, but I now need a mountain bike to handle the terrain. So, off to the department stores to see what's available for a small amount of money. K-Mart had a nice Schwinn for $149, but too small. The biggest they stock is an 18" frame & I need a 22" frame. Wal-Mart had basically the same, but it was all hung from the ceiling & the associates there can't fly. I hate Wal-Mart anyway, so I left. Target had nothing bigger than an 18" as well, so off to Sears I went. Well, nothing there at all. The Sears near me is a smaller store & they used to have bikes. They used to have furniture too, but I guess nobody in my area bought this stuff so it's no more. Good thing they still have tools.

There are only two local bicycle shops, one that carries Trek, & the other carries Raleigh. The Trek entry level bike was $239 & the Raleigh entry level was $249. Entry level means cheap ass bikes, for cheap ass tight wads. I liked both, but I was a sucker for the orange color on the Raleigh as well as the fact they are making the Raleigh Chopper again. I had one as a kid & thought it was really cool. The new one isn't as nice as the original, but it still brought back memories. I took it for a test ride & it felt comfortable, so I bought it today & will pick it up after work. I will probably try to get some riding in tonight if I can get home before dark. 

http://www.raleighusa.com/items.asp?deptid=11&itemid=335&childid=539

They just call it orange, but it has a very close resemblance to Burnt Orange

[Old Moparz]

Here's a couple of pics of the Raleigh Chopper. An original in blue, which is what I had, & the new retro one in black. The retro has a funky seat & a few other changes to it. It did look cheaply made when I saw it in the store. It seems the Schwinn Crate bikes they made again were of much better quality.

[Brock Samson]

yeah I'm in the market again too,...

i had an Schwin Fastback Stingray in blue....
I loved that bike i never should've traded it for $20.oo & the bag of homegrown,... sigh,. 

[Old Moparz]

yeah I'm in the market again too,...

i had an Schwin Fastback Stingray in blue....
I loved that bike i never should've traded it for $20.oo & the bag of homegrown,... sigh,. 

Damn pot heads.   

I knew a friend of a friend, that had won a pair of BOSE speakers in a contest. He kept them until his stash ran dry, & sold them for $50 so he could get some more to smoke. If I had known hewas selling the speakers, I'd have bought them.   

Dave, the Schwinn bikes were always cool. I also think they were probably the best quality for the money back then.

[Charger_Fan]

yeah I'm in the market again too,...

i had an Schwin Fastback Stingray in blue....
I loved that bike i never should've traded it for $20.oo & the bag of homegrown,... sigh,. 

I had one of those in bright orange! It also had the "drag slick" rear tire.

[Orange_Crush]

Glad to see you beought it from a local bike shop.  Most people go to a big box store and buy a bikle and then when the bike isn't properly put together (and it NEVER is) or it doesn't fit right, they quit riding. 

[Old Moparz]

Glad to see you beought it from a local bike shop.  Most people go to a big box store and buy a bikle and then when the bike isn't properly put together (and it NEVER is) or it doesn't fit right, they quit riding. 

I knew I'd end up getting it at a local bike shop anyway, but I did want to see what was available. Most shops only carry a slim line of items & usually marked up higher. I'll probably bring it to Carlisle next year to cover more ground. 

[Old Moparz]

yeah I'm in the market again too,...

i had an Schwin Fastback Stingray in blue....
I loved that bike i never should've traded it for $20.oo & the bag of homegrown,... sigh,. 

I had one of those in bright orange! It also had the "drag slick" rear tire.

I always thought the drag slick was cool.   

[PocketThunder]

Is this what you guys are talkin bout?  The fat back tire?

[Old Moparz]

Is this what you guys are talkin bout?  The fat back tire?

Yeah, I think the Sting Ray was the one that had a slick on it. Maybe the rear seat with shocks too?

[Brock Samson]

the orange crate had the slick,. the fastback had a skinny tire...
mine was seriously modded with speedo, generator light, an awooga horn and a huge sissy bar...  with a peace sign...




the orange crate...

[Lowprofile]

.......or the Apple Crate! Gotta love these old Schwinn's!