Back Alley Bikes Rebuilt Cruiser Bicycle, circa 2000

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THF150972 / Back Alley Bikes Rebuilt Cruiser Bicycle, circa 2000
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Artifact Overview

This bike was built by a youth participant in the Back Alley Bikes earn-a-bike program at The Hub of Detroit, a nonprofit, collectively run community bike shop. Made of miscellaneous parts mounted onto a trusty Schwinn town bike frame, this bike demonstrates the increased attention to making things in the 2000s -- both as an outlet for creativity and as a tool for community empowerment.

Artifact Details

Artifact

Bicycle

Date Made

circa 2000

Creators

Place of Creation

Creator Notes

Bicycle was assembled from salvaged and donated parts by Back Alley Bikes in Detroit, Michigan.

Location

at Henry Ford Museum in Driving America

Object ID

2011.323.1

Credit

From the Collections of The Henry Ford.

Material

Steel (Alloy)
Aluminum (Metal)
Nickel (Metal)
Rubber (Material)
Plastic
Vinyl
Plastic foam

Technique

Homemade

Color

Light blue

Dimensions

Height: 41 in
Width: 22 in
Length: 65 in

Inscriptions

Stenciled on frame: DETROIT SUMMER / BACK ALLEY BIKES

Specifications

Title: Back Alley Bikes rebuilt bicycle, about 2000
Maker: Schwinn frame, rebuilt with used and donated parts by Back Alley Bikes volunteers and Detroit summer youth-employment-program participants, Detroit, Michigan
Speeds: 3
Brakes: side-pull stirrup
Weight: 34 pounds
Height: 41 inches
Width: 22 inches
Length: 65 inches
Price: 6 to 9 hours' work in the Youth Earn-A-Bike program
Market value: about $25
Keywords
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