Quote:
Originally Posted by Keith Seymore
Here's mine, on my 8th birthday -
Unfortunately, unlike most things, I sold that one.....to get the 10 speed that I still have.
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Keith,
It looks like yours is a '69 model.
as for me, I ended up building my own custom "Krate". Will have to scan the pics to show you. It was based on a 20 Murray Stingray type frame, used a springer front end off of a 26" paper boy special, dual front sprockets on the front for 10 speeds, high sissy bar and more.
On the Krates, I started collecting them around 1990 when I found a '72 Pea Picker coaster Krate at a bike shop in good condition., As a kid, I did not know of, and never saw, a coaster Krate. Turns out the last year of the coaster Krate and the last year of the Pea Picker was '72 so this was a wise purchase. Then I found a somewhat restored '69 Apple Krate 5 speed. I had a custom seat made for it, added a rear disc brake and still ride it at the nostalgia drags once in awhile to this day! I do not feel weird riding it at my age. it is fun, fast, very collectable and pretty. My AppleKrate is also the mascot for my Candy Apple Red Pontiac powered AA/Fuel dragster too. "AppleKrate" is my cars nick name.
Also have collected most parts to build a '68 Lemon Peeler including NOS tires. My 4th vintage bike is a blue 5 speed delux. Schwinn never made a blue Krate
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So, have a total of 3 Krates and 1 5 speed delux. 4 is enought for me. More stuff for the Pontiac Heaven museum...
You are correct about the front springer fork absorbing some of your energy but, the look and the ride is a fair trade off.
When I bought my '69 Apple I was already in my 30s. There were some kids next door about 14-15 years old that rode the typical 20" single speed moto cross style bike. At first, they kinda made fun of my rectently aquired 'jalopy' and were confident they could easily out run me in a race.
Being twice their age and on a 20 year old bike, I offered to race them around the block. They accepted and got a bunch of friends to watch this 'slaughter'of me.
When the race started, he pulled me a bit but, less than 25% through the race around the block, he was tuckered out while I cruised past him in 5th gear! I beat him so bad that, at the finish line, I was already off of my bike and drinking a pop in front of his friends when he came around the last turn completely exhasted!
After he caught his breath I said "NEXT"! There were no takers
. The kids from them on, knew the AppleKrate was the baddest bike on the block!