I was looking at old Western Auto ads from The Vindicator and was reminded that my first bicycle was a Western Flyer, which was sold by Western Auto. It was actually older than the one in this ad from 1959. The bike had been my brother’s, which he probably acquired in the early 1950’s. It was painted Maroon with some cream colored detailing. It had huge fenders to accommodate the 26″ balloon tires. There was even a hole in the back fender I could use to attach my Youngstown bike license. It had a carrier on the back with slots that allowed you to tie things to it. It also had a “tank” between the seat and the handle bars. The handlebars were much more wide swept than handle bars today, and because it was old, the chrome was worn off. It had a coaster brake in the back. Like the bike in the picture, it had a wide, padded seat with springs underneath. In one article I read, they said these bikes weighed about 76 pounds. I can believe it! That thing was heavy, and it only had one speed.
Of course, I added to the weight with various accessories: a headlight, mirrors, a speedometer, a horn and a rear tail light. Most of that I bought in the bike aisle at the Western Auto in the Mahoning Plaza. That bike took a lot of energy to get up hills and with some, you just ended up walking. But it could haul downhill–30 miles per hour on my speedometer. That actually got scary one time when the bike started shaking when I tried to put on the brake. Somehow I got it stopped. Because it was so old and clunky, even though I lovingly polished it up, I never had to worry about it being stolen–not with all the spiffy English racers and other cool bikes other kids had. Little did they know that these retro bikes would eventually fetch high prices. I saw one on Etsy selling for $4750! It was from 1950 and looked to be in mint condition.
Eventually, I used some paper route money and bought a 5-speed Schwinn Collegiate second hand (which I still own). I don’t know what happened to the old Western Flyer. At one point, I think my dad turned it into a stationary bike for some exercise. I remember that those old handlebars developed a crack. I suspect it might have been trashed–it wasn’t around when we cleaned out the house.
Western Flyers were first sold by Western Auto in 1931 and the brand continued to be sold until 1998. Other companies actually manufactured the bicycles including Murray and Huffy, the Cleveland Welding Company and the Shelby Cycle Company. Some of the most iconic bikes were sold between the 1930’s and the 1950’s. The Speedline Airflo, built in the late 1930’s, was one of the most popular, and was built by Shelby Cycle. The X-53 series from the 1950’s was also popular and included a frame made of hydrogen-braised seamless steel. There is even a Facebook group for Western Flyer X-53 Bicycles! Even though these things were heavy, they looked sleek, a lot like some of our cars from the Fifties.
I don’t think today’s “retro” bikes are quite as heavy. The thing that was great about these old bikes was that they were comfortable to ride and solid enough to deal with the rough use we gave them as kids. It was a time when we put streamers and baskets and lights and mirrors and lots of other stuff on our bikes and these were big enough that there was room for it all. I think some of us were imagining the motorcycles or the cars we would own in a few years and how we would customize them,
It would be fun to hear about your bike memories. Anyone else have a Western Flyer? What was your first bike? Anyone still have a bike from their youth?
To read other posts in the Growing Up in Working Class Youngstown series, just click “On Youngstown.” Enjoy!
Bob on Books 
I still have my 1973 Schwinn contential. The bike and I plus friends rode to Mansfield and back. The we rode to Oglebee state park in West Virginia and back. The we rode to Niagara Falls and back. We then rode around the Great Lakes. We lived in Boardman. My youngest son and his friend rode to California, But flew back home. Good times
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Bob, I had a Schwinn from the same era. Black with cream accents. Customizing it was just the thing. Something you didn’t mention. We used to clip playing cards to the frame and they would make noise going through the spokes. We were convinced it sounded just like a motorcycle.
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For us, it was duplicate baseball cards with a clothes pin@
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I was going to ask Bob if his accessories included clothespins and playing cards
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My first bike was also a Western Flyer, but more basic than the one in the ad. I was six and had to use our front steps to get on. I eventually learned to use the pedal in the bottom position while coasting and heaved myself onto the seat. Most of the boys in our neighborhood gang did the same and rode similar bikes. One kid, Georgie Porgy, got an English Racer with three speeds and handbrakes. He was elevated to leader of our gang simply for his bike. I rode my faithful machine until the fifth grade, when it was stolen. By that time, it was worn out, so whoever took it didn’t get a bargain.
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My first bike was a red Huffy. It was my ticket to freedom to roam the neighborhoods in Boardman and Mill Creek Park. I put white pinstripe decals on the fenders and a tiny generator on the front tire that powered a headlight when the bike was in motion, but I had to go pretty fast to get much brightness.
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I can’t believe all the places I went. Wouldn’t happen these days.
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So true! We had so much freedom. How lucky we were. How I wish my grandchildren could experience the same!
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Mine was a Schwinn! For more comments on my biking experience in Niles during the fifties, see my own blog item: https://cameosandcarousels.com/peddling-up-no-peddling-down/
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Loved your blog!
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I still have my (second) college bike (the first disappeared while I wasn’t paying attention): a Raleigh International. Too much bike for me now, and the “engine” isn’t up to the task of driving the high gearing it had.
First bike was red and cream like yours, and when “Stingrays” became the thing, Dad painted it metallic green—sort of—and added a banana seat and “ape-hanger” handlebars.
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I understand. Bought a 10-speed Concord in college. Prefer my old Scwinn Collegiate these days.
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In 1964, I needed wheels to get to my job as a hospital orderly. I was 16 and my Dad wouldn’t let me buy the 52 Ford that was for sale up the street at $50. Western Auto was my salvation. I bought a three speed “English racer” that was part of the Western Flyer line. It cost $39.95. I added a headlamp and a generator the ran off the rear tire. I still have the bill of sale and the warranty papers. In fact, I still have the bike! (In later years, my daughter used to ride it to the YMCA.)
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Those old bike were virtually indestructible!
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My first bicycle was a Sears because my Dad wouldn’t spring for a Schwinn Streamliner, the cool bicycle of the early 1950s. I went all over southern Cook County, Illinois and northwest Indiana on that bike.
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Not a bike story about myself but about my mom who recently died. In August of 1947 her dad took her downtown to buy her a bike. She was 13 at the time. They couldn’t find one and she told her dad that it was ok and she wanted to go home. But he insisted they keep looking because he wanted her to have a bike. They did end up finding one but I don’t know what brand. Her dad passed away two months later in October of 1947.
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This sparked such fun memories Bob! My first bike was a Christmas gift when I was around 9 years old, I can still picture it in my mind. I had many years of fun with my neighborhood friends! As a teen, I bought an orange 10 speed Western Flyer at the mahoning plaza. I paid on it through lay away, and loved and rode it into adulthood! Mill Creek Park was my favorite riding place. Great memories!
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Loved riding in Mill Creek Park as well!
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