Tricycle Fetish Blog

Q: I have a early 1930′s skline tricycle that I trying to restore. I was wondering if you have any info on these tricycles and suggestions for parts. I see that you have wheels and rims that might fit. What is the process for installing one of those hard rubber tires. Thanks Mike

A: The internet is always the easiest place to look for parts.  The problem is that you need to know what you are looking for, which is hard enough, but also the person selling the parts has to know what they have.  In many cases tricycle parts are labeled – on sites like eBay – with generic titles and descriptions, so you’ll have to look at everything.

Another decent way to find parts is by attending bicycle and pedal car swap meets and shows.  They have a lot of parts in one place, but these are few and far between and you’ll have to travel.  These shows are a good place to meet collectors who may have what you are looking for.

As far as installing the tires goes…  When your rim is ready to have the tire installed, but a large pot of water on the stove to boil.  Dip the tire in the hot water to soften the rubber, then put it on the rim.  Use gloves.

Q: Can you point me in the right place to see if anyone can help me to tell who makes this tricycle?

A: Can’t say definitively, but your tricycle is an institutional type tricycle for use in a daycare center or preschool.  There are a number of manufacturers who’ve been building this type of tricycle for several decades, Angeles being the most common.  But your tricycle is not made by Angeles.

Most likely your tricycle was made by PlayLearn in Missouri or Community Playthings in New York.  Tricycle such as this are meant to withstand a good beating by children.  The frames are nearly indestructible, but since they are played with so much, many times the pedals, grips, tires, etc. are worn out.  Original these tricycle cost a small fortune when bought from the factory, but their resale price is usually quite low.

Q: Could you give me some information on this tricycle and is it worth 100-150?

A: Your tricycle was made in the early 1950′s, probably by Garton for sale in Western Auto stores under the brand name Western Flyer.  The Delivery Cycle text on the sides looks to have been repainted in the photos.  As far as value goes, sorry, we do not give out values.

Q: I have a Colson Flyer Tricycle. I was told the age of it is late 20′s early 30′s. Have searched for pictures/information on it on various sites and have found nothing about it. I was wondering if you have any information or pictures that you can forward on to me because I would like to restore it. It has a 16″ front wheel; leather saddle seat; steal handle bars without grips (did it come with grips ????). Any information that you could give me would be greatly appreciated.

A: You can check out our Colson information page for some pictures of other Colson tricycles from that time period.  I don’t think we have any pictures of that exact model in that color scheme.   Some of the pictures you sent were a bit blurry, but your tricycle doesn’t look to be in very bad condition and looks to retain much of the original paint.

One think to keep in mind before beginning a restoration project is your goal.  Most likely a real restoration on that tricycle will cost a large amount of money and time.  ….money that you will never see returned in an increased value for the tricycle.  If you’re just looking to refurbish the tricycle a little bit for your own entertainment, that’s fine too, but I’d recommend finding all the parts, paint etc. prior to beginning the task.  We get a lot of questions from people who are half-way done with something and realize that they need tires or this little part or that little part.

You’re dating of the tricycle seems to be pretty accurate.  Without having Colson catalogs from every year to check the color schemes, it would be hard to tell the exact year.  You can check some of the pictures of old Colsons and  other tricycles from that time period on our manufacturers pages to get an idea of what type of grips would have been on tricycles at that time.  But again, the exact Colson catalog from that time would be the most accurate way to tell what grips you need.  Good luck.

Q: I was hoping to find out some information on this tricycle.

A: Your tricycle is an early 1900′s strap steel velocipede with a wooden horse figure, made to look like a horse pulling a cart or carriage.  It doesn’t look to be complete.  We are unsure of the maker or brand of this tricycle.  There were many makers who made similar tricycles and without markings it is very hard to tell.

If anyone has an ideas, please post them.  There are metal tags on the sides that have HF and the number 43 embossed on them.

We recently received a question about the tricycle at the left from a reader in Australia.  The reader wanted to know about the age, maker, model, value etc. of this old tricycle.  We admittedly know virtually nothing about Australian made tricycles.  As rare as antique tricycles are in the U.S., seeing antique Australian tricycles in the United States is even more rare.  …But we still get quite a few questions about them nonetheless.

We may add pictures to this post when future Australian made tricycles are asked about.  Though we may not know all (or any) of the answers to the readers’ question, please feel free to add comments if you have any information on the tricycles pictured or Australian tricycles in general.

Q: Hello – you have a great website. I have 2 sons (ages 1 and 3) and I am in the market. Do you know which company owns/manufactures the ‘Flexible Flyer’ brand of tricycles? Thank you,  Mark

A: Flexible Flyer is currently owned by Brunswick.  They are currently no making tricycles.  They make hobby horses and swing sets.  You can go to their website for more info or contact information.

Q: Here are some pictures of the tricycle, I was told it was a 1952-1958 VanDuren? I had it sand blasted and painted the color which was under the hand spray painted coats of red. I am assuming this is the original color. I also had the rear bearings pressed and replaced. Could you PLEASE tell me what kind of bike it is, as well as a good site where i might be able to see pictures of the identical bike so i can get the decals painted on.
I might also be interested in selling it, can you please assist me on this as well? Not sure about the seat…. the fur is rolled under and seems to be permanently attached, Is this original????? THANKS!!!!

A: We’ve never heard of a maker by the name of Vanduren.  Your tricycle looks to be from the 1950′s period that you suggested, but it looks to be a Murray chain driven trike.  The original color, if a greenish color as you suspect, was probably a metallic green.

Your tricycle appears to have pedal tractor wheels and tires on the back.  They are not stock on any tricycle that we’ve ever seen.  The saddle is also not original to the tricycle.  Its hard to tell from the photo if the fur is original to the saddle, but most certainly the saddle was not original to the tricycle, at least with the fur on it.  For more info and pictures of other Murray tricycles, you can visit out Murray tricycle information page.

We do not really assist with selling and buying of tricycles at this time.

Q: Can you please tell me anything about this tricycle, I bought it at an estate sale? Sincerely,Jennifer

A: Your tricycle was made by the Junior Toy Company circa 1930′s or 1940′s.  This model was made for a number of years.  You can find more info and other pics of similar tricycles on our Junior Toy Co. tricycle information page.

Q: I have just acquired a 20″ Sky King Tricycle.  The tricycle handle bars have been replaced with smaller batwing style without headlight.Do you have or know where I can purchase old or copies of the original handle bars with headlight?Also, do you know the original color specs for 20″ Sky Kings?

A: Your tricycle is not a Sky King, which was produced by Junior Toy Company in the 1930′s, but rather a Garton tricycle made around the same time as the Sky Kings in the late 1930′s.  Your paint appears to be original, and though far from perfect, it is in decent condition for a 70+ year old toy.  You can find more info and pics on our Garton tricycles information page.

We’ve just receive a shipment of NOS replacement tricycle wheelsets (wheels with tires) and semi-pneumatic tricycle tires in sizes ranging from 7 inches to 16 inches.  They are unused an in brand new condition.  The rims and spokes are silver and the tires are unbranded.

Limited quantities are in stock, get them while they are available.  These tricycle tires and wheels make great replacements for vintage tricycles with rotted tires or damaged wheels.  They allow that old family tricycle to be used by another generation of little trikesters.

Dirt King USA has issued the following announcement.  More information can be found on the Dirt King website: Valentine’s Day is right around the corner. What a great holiday. It’s not only fun to show your significant other how much they mean to you, but it’s a great time to show your children how much they mean to you. I remember getting all kinds of fun stuff from my parents on this day. New baseball bats, new shoes, posters, candy, and all types of other stuff. With my parents doing this, it allowed me to see the true essence of Valentine’s Day. It’s all about love. Dirt King wanted to offer something nice for this Valentine’s Day. From now until Valentine’s Day we are offering our Pink Dirt King Tricycles forFirst 50 customers only, get them while you can – $199.00

Order by phone by calling 1-800-542-4081 Mon-Fri: 7am-12pm; 1pm-4:30pm Central Standard time, and tell the customer service representative that you would like the Valentine’s Day special. To make this fair to parents that have little boys too, if you buy a pink tricycle at $199 then you can get up to two more tricycles at any color for $199 per trike. This is a once in a lifetime offer to buy “The World’s Best Tricycle” at this price. As always, these trikes come with a lifetime warranty on the frame and are built to last. Show your children the love they deserve this Valentine’s Day.

A visitor to the TricycleFetish.com website recently sent in this photo of a circa 19-teens or 1920′s tricycle with a cast aluminum horse’s head.  No markings of any kind were on the tricycle.  The owner’s are seeking information on this piece.  We’ve seen similar tricycles, but do not know the manufacturer.  If you have any old ads or information on the tricycle it would be greatly appreciated.

Q: Could you help with the identification?  The headbadge is worn smooth and it appears to be brass.   Do you have a brick and mortar store? thanks, Bruce

A: It looks as if you have an American National tricycle from around 1930 made by the Gendron Wheel Co.  You can see more tricycles made by Gendron on the Gendron information page.  And no, we do not have a B&M store.

Q: My friend found this tricycle in the ground while excavating. I see similar trikes however not the exact one. I have pictures of the trike and a close-up of the identifying sticker with patents #’s and everything. I think that the trike is very old but would really love to have more info on it. Like perhaps the year and maybe a ballpark price. Thank you in advance for your time. Wanita

A: You’ve found a late 1930′s (circa 1937 or thereabouts) Hedstrom Minute Man tot tricycle.  These are somewhat rarer than the larger versions of the Minute Man.  Your tricycle appears to be in great condition for being buried.  Most of the time the decals are missing.  You can view more models of the Minute Man on our Hedstrom information page.  When you find patent numbers intact, you can always check Google’s patent search to get more info too.

As far as value goes, we do not give specific prices on our blog and only give estimates and appraisals to those who’ve purchased our online price guide, but I will tell you that your tricycle does have some decent value – at least as far as tricycles go.

Q: This was given to me by a friend. I’m a custom motorcycle painter so it will end up with $1000.00 paint job just to make people ask why? I would like to know brand  thanx for any help.I will send pics on completion.

A: You’ve got a 1940′s era Junior Toy tricycle.  For more information as well as some pictures of ones with original paint and period headbadges, you can visit our Junior Toy Co. information page.  Please keep us updated on the restoration and we’ll post pictures of the finished project.

Q: I found an official walt disney davy crockett tricycle in the garbage,it is missing the seat and the hand grips.it was made by the hettrick mfg co.i can not find any info on this tricycle. i even talked to a disney collector and he said he never heard of it, i told him about a similar bike one-bay so he could get an idea about my tricycle,but he said he never seen that either. i want to restore the trike but have no info on the seator grips . somebody told me that maybe the hand grips had raccoon tails on them and that the seat had fringes on it. could you help me with more info on ths tiricycle ? thanks Les

A: Sorry, we can’t locate any photos of this tricycle, though we had them at some point…If anyone can help, let us know.

Q: Hello!I love the look of antique horse and animal tricycles. Do you know of any current tricycle companies that are manufacturing either replicas or modern versions of these types of toys? I have a niece who LOVES horses. She wanted one of those electronic ride on pony toys for Christmas, but I really prefer more active toys. A horse or pony styled tricycle or small bike would be perfect, but I cannot seem to find one anywhere. In combing the web, I came across your site.

Have a great day! Catherine

A:   There are some companies in Asia making horse type tricycles that are flat out fakes of antique tricycles.  We don’t give out manufacturers name on such items, but if you really want to buy a fake antique tricycle, try shopping on eBay or  the big Chinese online marketplace.  Just be careful you don’t end up buying what amounts to be a scale model of an fake antique tricycle (on eBay frequently).  Those tricycles could only be ridden by infants.

If you’re looking to buy a real antique horse tricycle, now’s the time to do it as selling prices seem to have fallen, probably due in most part to the poor economy.  A hundred year old tricycle in nice shape should be able to take out any normal wear that a child could dish out today.