Robert J.’s Junkyard Bonanza and the American Arrow Superia Rescue (Belgium)

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Our two…er three weeks of International old 10-speeds is finally coming to a close. Just like that semester in college that you “studied a broad”, we got all liquored up in France and never made it to all the destinations we had planned. Aside from the hangover, I’m pretty happy with our trip and I hope you are too. Before we go though, I thought a quick swing through the cradle of bicycle racing, Belgium, was in order. Robert J., a long time OTS’r and friend of the gallery sent in some pics from a recent visit his local scrap yard. This visit turned into a rescue mission, and the result is a rehabilitated, Belgian produced OTS for your enjoyment. Bob sent in a series of emails during this endeavor, so in the interest of clarity, I have posted this correspondence below in reverse chronological order.
1974 American Arrow Superia

American Arrow Superia Drivetrain - AfterAmerican Arrow Superia DecalSimplex RD1974 Bicycle License

Cameron,
This is a follow-up on my junkyard find from last week. I got the American Arrow cleaned and running, and I’m very happy. A few years ago I took a test ride on a 1980’s French bike, and this Belgian bike feels very similar–light, stiff, quick and responsive. (It seems to weigh in at about 26 lbs.) This is a 1970’s vintage bike with cottered crank, but it came with alloy rims and bar. It has a serious lack of bling, right down to the tacky, plastic Simplex derailleur. So to keep it from being a bling-free zone, I wrapped the bars with some gawdy Cinelli multi-colored wrap. I am clueless about the story of this bike, so if anyone knows more about Superia of Belgium or American Arrow, I certainly would like to hear. Thanks again.
Bob J.

1974 American Arrow Superia

I just sent the photos from the junkyard, and here’s the one I selected:  an American Arrow by Superia of Belgium.  I’ve searched the net and can find almost no information about it.  It seems a peculiar combination of components:  alloy rims and bars, steel cottered crank, plastic Simplex derailleur, no pie plate, and a relatively light bike.  Stickers indicate it was last licensed in 1974, and “RC Tubes.”  If anyone knows a little more about this bike, I’d certainly appreciate the information.  I’ll send some photos when it’s cleaned up, tuned up.

finds at the junkyard

firenze 15 speed and huffyspanasonic travellertakara mixteBSA 3 speed

I always enjoy OTSG, and have submitted some of my previous finds.  Thought you might like to see what was in our local junkyard today (Friday of Memorial Day weekend, when people are cleaning out their garages):  most of a Panasonic Traveller, a Takara mixte, a Firenze 15-speed, a very interesting, old BSA 3-speed, and a heap of Huffy’s.  There was also a very beat-up Itow, which I couldn’t photograph.  My find was an American Arrow 10-speed, made by Superia in Belgium.  I’ve sent those photos separately.

Related posts:

  1. SSSbikes’ Fuji Absolute Mixte
  2. Doc Sprocket’s 1979 Univega Super Ten (Before and After)
  3. Dominick’s 1975 Royce Union 10 Speed
  4. 1987 Huffy Capri 10
  5. Christian L’s Centurion Omega
  • Hugh

    Great bike! And an even better story! I don`t know about the rest of the bike, But
    the crank sure looks familiar.

  • Robert

    I have to post a follow-up to my junkyard story. I’ve kept an eye on that pile of bikes for the last month to see what came and went. The Takara mixte disappeared very quickly, a Chicago Schwinn Suburban came and went, and I took a closer look at the Panasonic and the Itow (too many parts missing to tempt me). But on the second week another treasure appeared, a Bottecchia mixte. I snatched it up and it should appear on OTSG. Right now the only bike that’s still calling to me is that old BSA 3-speed. Sadly, I know nothing about repairing 3-speeds, but summer has just begun.

  • Robert

    I realized I have been spelling “Itoh” incorrectly, but without derailleur and wheels I’m still not tempted. The BSA 3-speed is now in my garage with a matching Huffy as organ-donor.

  • Mike

    Hi…

    Believe it or not, I still have my orange American Arrow that I was given when I graduated from 8th grade in 1976. It’s in near mint condition but has a problem with a crank that skips every now and then. It’s still a great bike… anyone know where I could get a replacement crank shaft? By the way, this bike has a sticker on it that says it was made in W. Germany. I also have my sister’s old American Arrow, Tour de France edition, with stone hard leather seat.

  • Robert

    Mike,
    My Belgian American Arrow came with a rock-hard plastic seat, which I rode once and replaced! Mine skips every now and then, too, but I think the problem is the Simplex derailleur.

  • Ed

    I still have my original blue American Arrow hanging in my garage. Been toying with the idea of rebuilding it. Mine had the stone hard leather seat. I did some research on them some time back; they were made in Belgium by Flandria (FlandriaBikes.com). I bought mine in the early to mid 70’s. Yup… Simplex derailleur… and alloy handlebars that bent slightly after years of riding…

  • Arrow rider

    I own an American Arrow Superia, which I purchased in 1972 for $275 (instead of buying a car). I have all the original components on it today (except the tires and leather seat). Campy brakes, Simplex derailleur, and an unamed lightweight frame. I bought it from a dealer / repair guy operating out of his garage, and I chose it because I could get choose what components I wanted and still not pay the $400 other bikes with top-end components were costing.