January 14, 2009

Hi all. Thought I'd introduce myself and get in the mix of things here.

My name is Dana, ( I'm a guy with one of those names!,,,,thanks Mom. ) I'm 44 and live in Oregon.

My interest in Swing bikes came in 1978 when I met this girl who had a blue one. I thought it was super cool and fun to ride. She never really got the hang of it, so when she would come over I'd ride her swing bike, and she would ride my 67 Schwinn Stingray 3 speed stick shift. Well, I've still got the Stingray, but after High School I lost track of her and serving 10 years with the 101st Airborne I was a bit busy.

Fast forward to when I got out of the service I went looking for her to see if she still had that bike. I was unable to locate her for years. Always wanted that darn bike. So, for the last 16 years I've had the word out with friends that I wanted one. Several months ago a friend from Montana told me he found a frame for one at a dump and would bring me what was left of it. It was hurt really bad. But, it's all I had so I went to work on it. I'll post pictures of it soon. I've now got it able to ride and now can enjoy it like I did as a kid.

Well, a break in the case happened the other day and out of a total fluke I found that girl from school and talked to her parents about the bike. It's still sitting right where we parked it back when I was in school. Turns out other than one try with some grand kids for a second, I'm the last one to ride it back in 1979. Anyway, as this is getting long here, the current plan is to set up a good time for the parents to come pick up the bike. I've got it all cleared with the girl I went to school and she thinks it's cool I still want that bike.

Funny thing is when I finally got her on the phone, the first thing I asked her was..

"Hi!...your a hard person to find, I've been lookin for you for 16 years!.

Gee Dana...I'm flattered! What can I do for you.

Well, I asked you a question some 30 years ago. And that was, " If you ever want to cut loose of that bike let me know". Well, I'm asking you again!.

Well, she thought that was funny and we talked for and hour or so. Anyway, last sunday I was able to finally get my hands on that bike. It needs a full on restoration and that's where I'm heading with it.

So, now that I've made you fall to sleep with a long first post, let me say Hi to all that are still awake here and it's great to see others out there who know what these things are and know how much fun they are.

Again, I'll post pictures of my Current swing bike that I had to build up from the dirt, as well as pictures of the one that started it all if all.

Dana

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