Hugh’s General Sprite Ten Speed

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Tuesday’s twin is another of the fraternal sort, a NOS General Sprite. Our friend Hugh sent in this dead ringing twin of Tim’s women’s General Sprite. (pic) (post)

Hugh, as far as information regarding the marque. There isn’t much out there, with such an ambiguous name like “General Bicycle Company”, it would take some serious research to find anything. We have four in the Gallery now, so maybe someone will stop by and with a little more info.
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Hey Cameron,
I was wondering if anyone might know anything about the General Bicycle Co. This is a General Sprite.I found it at the local Sally. Components are a little weak but the frame is sweet.would appreciate any info.
Cheers, Hugh

Related posts:

  1. Trevor H’s 1984 Niitaka 10 Speed
  2. Street Seen Debut – Bike Rack Hoggin’ Bianchi
  3. Dennis’ 1979 Schwinn Le Tour
  4. Harv’s 1964ish J.C. Higgins 10-Speed
  5. Reade W’s 1978 Azuki Gran Sport
  • Ruthie

    Hi, I had heard that the General Bike Co. was an 80’s Japanese BMX maker that branched out to making some low-end road bikes before going out of business. I always notice these OTS’s around too. Aren’t they sweet?

  • http://Geekdynamite.com Thomas Stillwell

    I also have a General Free Spirit 10-speed that I am in the process of rebuilding. Here is a picture.

    http://imgur.com/gQWzL.jpg

    I would appreciate any additional information you might have because I can’t really find anything online.

  • Maria Erb

    Wow, I just picked up that same green General Free Spirit at my local town dump yesterday and am attempting to turn it into a SS commuter. One question, is your stem welded onto the front fork? I would like to clean and regrease the headset but it’s going to be a lot harder if my access to the bearings is restricted. Is your bike like that?

  • http://hughsbicycle.blogspot.com Hugh

    Hey Maria,
    I have never even heard of a stem welded onto the fork. Although they do seem to be sometimes. To remove the stem loosen the bolt that goes down through the top of the stem. You only want to loosen it till it sticks up 3/16 of an inch. Then placing a small piece of wood over the top of the bolt, give it a good hit with a hammer. This should brake the stem loose. Once you have removed the stem then you can start taking the nuts and spacers off that hold the head-set together. You might want to take a pic or make a sketch of the order the nuts and spacers go on before taking it apart. I hope this helps.

    • Maria Erb

      Hey Hugh

      thnx for the info. I will give it a shot and hopefully free my front fork. Should I spray some PB blaster around the threads of the front fork?

      • http://hughsbicycle.blogspot.com Hugh

        If they look rusty or corroded that would be a good idea. I always use penetrating oil on old pedals and cotter pins as well.

  • http://hughsbicycle.blogspot.com Hugh

    To learn more about head-sets check-out this site
    http://www.sheldonbrown.com/headsets.html

  • Jason

    How to tell what year general bicycle sprite is.