Balloon Tire Bicycles

Video Transcript

"So here we are, a classic balloon tire bicycle. Do you have one of these at home? You might. Things that identify it as a balloon tire bicycle. First of all the tires, on a balloon tire bike the tires are 2.125 inch around. That's a big fat wide tire. They generally will have some type of elaborate lighting. This has got an art deco style headlight, they call this a train headlight. It should have a glass piece here. If you're into these bicycles and you're looking to restore them, you can find that glass piece. There's a company that is remaking that glass piece. It has trust rods, these things weigh a lot, but they help give strength to the fork. It has a brass head badge. See the interesting shape of the handlebars, these are called coke bottle grips. It's got a mirror. Of course it has the tank, these are from, they try and make these look like motorcycles. It doesn't serve a lot of purpose other than the fact that there's a horn inside. Spring saddle, big rear rack, and a nice fancy chain guard."