The Schwinn Hornet


The Hornet is a Schwinn classic and took on many different forms over the years. It also has a deluxe version as well.

Scroll down to see a year by year breakdown of how Schwinn presented these bikes in their catalogs.

1952


"It's a Schwinn for me... I've compared them all and for my money, Schwinn's the best!"

1952 Schwinn Hornet

America's Favorite Bicycle
What a combination! Trim dashing lines, superior Schwinn workmanship, and a complete line-up of equipment including streamlined tank with built-in horn, powerful Rocket-Ray headlight, sturdy luggage carrier, and truss rods. No wonder more kids choose the Schwinn Hornet than any other bicycle...and the low price will amaze you. Fully guaranteed As-Long-As-You-Own-It. Ask to see the "Hornet" at your Schwinn Dealer.

  • 26 inch model No. D-19.

America's biggest buy in girl's bikes!

1952 schwinn hornet girls 1

For Girls...
Elegant styling and complete equipment including streamlined chainguard, tank with built-in horn, Rocket-Ray headlamp, exclusive built-in kickstand, sturdy luggage carrier, and sparkling trim .

  • 26 inch model No. D-69.

See the full 1952 Schwinn catalog.

1953


America's Favorite Bicycle

1953 schwinn hornet for boys

What a combination! Trim dashing lines, superior Schwinn workmanship, and a complete line-up of equipment including streamlined tank with built-in horn, powerful Rocket-Ray headlight, sturdy luggage carrier, and truss rods. No wonder more kids choose the Schwinn Hornet than any other bicycle...and the low price will amaze you. Fully guaranteed As-Long-As-You-Own-It. Ask to see the "Hornet" at your Schwinn Dealer.

  • 26 inch model No. D-19.

America's biggest buy in girl's bikes!

1953 schwinn hornet for girls

Elegant styling and complete equipment including streamlined chainguard, tank with built-in horn, Rocket-Ray headlampl, exclusive built-in kickstand, sturdy luggage carrier, and sparkling trim 26 inch model No. D-69.

  • 26 inch model No. D-69.

See the full 1953 Schwinn catalog.

1954


Fine quality at a budget pleasing price!

1954 Schwinn Hornet

One of the most attractive models in the big Schwinn line. Streamlined tank with horn, headlight, truss rods, kickstand, Schwinn Quality Features. Luggage carrier (26-inch model only.)

  • 26-inch size Boys D-15
  • 24-inch size Boys J-25
  • 20-inch size Boys J-35

America's biggest buy in girl's bikes!

  • 26-inch size Girls D-65
  • 24-inch size Girls J-75
  • 20-inch size Girls J-85

See the full 1954 Schwinn catalog.

1955


Here is a fully equipped bike at a price that’s hard to beat -- and you get famous Schwinn quality and styling, too!

1955 Schwinn Hornet

Boys 26-inch Model D15

Features include tank with horn, chrome truss rods and torpedo headlight. Sturdy luggage carrier on 26-inch models only.

SPECIFICATIONS

FRAME- Schwinn balloon double bar, girls balloon.
FORK- Forged, chrome truss rods.

RIMS- Schwinn tubular S2, chrome.
TIRES- Shwinn Typhoon.
KICKSTAND- Detachable.
COLORS- Spitfire red, blue or green.

MODELS

Shipping Weight lbs.
BOYS GIRLS SIZE DESCRIPTION BOYS/GIRLS

  • D15 D65 26-inch Hornet 60 1/2 59 1/2
  • J25 J75 24-inch Hornet 51 1/2 50 1/2
  • J35 J85 20-inch Hornet 45 46

See the full 1955 Schwinn catalog.

1956


A popular bike with attractive equipment features.

1956 Schwinn Hornet

Streamlined tank with horn, electric handlight, chrome truss rods, kickstand, Schwinn Quality Features. Sturdy luggage carrier on 26" models only. Boys and girls 26", 24" and 20" models.

Colors: Spritfire red, blue or green, all with ivory trim.

See the full 1956 Schwinn catalog.

1957


You'll master the miles on this middleweight model.

1957 Schwinn Hornet

Chrome Truss rods
Cantilever frame
Horn and headlight
Kickstand
1.75 middleweight tires
Luggage Carrier on 26" models only
Boys' and Girls' 20" , 24" and 26" models

Colors: Spitfire red, blue, Florida green or Black with ivory Trim.

See the full 1957 Schwinn catalog.

1958


Here is a fully equipped middleweight bike at a price that's hard to beat- and you get famous Schwinn quality and styling, too!

1958 Schwinn Hornet

Equipped middleweight model
Schwinn Hornet

Features include tank with horn, chrome truss rods and torpedo headlight. Sturdy luggage carrier on 26-inch models only.

Specifications

FRAME- Boys middleweight cantilever, girls middleweight.
FORK- Forged, chrome truss rods.
RIMS- Schwinn tubular S7, enameled.
TIRES- Schwinn 1.75" Westwind.
KICKSTAND- Detachable.
CLORS- Spitfire red, blue, florida green, or black with ivory trim.

MODELS
SHIPPING WEIGHT,LBS.
BOYS GIRLS SIZE DESCRIPTION BOYS GIRLS

  • K15 K65 26-inch Hornet 55 53 1/2
  • K25 K75 24-inch Hornet 47 1/2 48
  • K35 K85 20-inch Hornet 41 41

See the full 1958 Schwinn catalog.

1959


A really handsome tank-equipped model in sturdy Schwinn Cantilever construction.

1959 Schwinn Hornet

Fully Equipped Middleweight

Features; Tank with horn, front carrier on 26” and 24” models, Schwinn Cantilever frame, chrome headlight, whitewall tires. Coaster brake models only.

1959_hornet-specs

Schwinn's Leading Tank - Equipped model.

Hornet models for boys

Shpg. No. Size Description Wt. Lbs.

  • H15-1 26 inch Coaster (Mark IV) 52 ½
  • H25-1 24 inch Coaster (Mark IV) 48 ½
  • H35-1 20 inch Coaster (Mark IV) 40

See page 30 for other coaster brakes, optional equipment and how to order.
COLORS: Radiant Red, Blue Green; Black.

All Specification subject to change without notice.

See the full 1959 Schwinn catalog.

1960


Tank and horn. Fender light. Two tone saddle.

1960 Schwinn Hornet

Luggage carrier on 26" and 24" sizes. Radiant red, blue, black; green in 26" size only.

  • 26" coaster brake .... $59.95
  • 24" coaster brake .... $57.95
  • 20" coaster brake .... $51.95

See the full 1960 Schwinn catalog.

1961


Tank and horn! Fender Light! Two-tone Saddle!

1961 Schwinn Hornet

Luggage carrier on 26" and 24" sizes. Radiant red or black with ivory rims and trim.

  • 26" 2-speed........... $64.95
  • 26" coaster brake .... $54.95
  • 24" 2-speed........... $62.95
  • 24" coaster brake .... $52.95
  • 20" coaster brake .... $47.95

Cantilever design combined with tank built-in horn, light, and carrier all help to make this a popular Schwinn middleweight model. Chrome rims optional at extra cost. (No luggage carrier or truss rods on 20-inch size.)

SHIPPING WEIGHT,LBS.
NO. SIZE DESCRIPTION

  • H16 26-inch Hornet 54 1/2
  • H26 24-inch Hornet 49 1/2
  • H36 20-inch Hornet 41

2-speed or coaster in 26 inch and 24 inch size, coaster only in 20 inch size.
COLORS: Radiant red or black with Ivory trim.

See the full 1961 Schwinn catalog.

1963


Cantilever frame! Chrome front Carrier!

1963 Schwinn Hornet

Strong tubular enameled rims, two-tone saddle. Flamboyant Red, Black.

  • h13-26" Coaster brake.... $46.95
  • h13-26" 2-speed ......... $56.95
  • h13-24" coaster brake ... $44.95
  • h13-24" 2-speed.......... $54.95

Stylish Design Schwinn Hornet
An outstanding value in the middleweight line...sturdy cantilever frame.. with built-in kickstand.
comfortable two-tone saddle.

Schwinn quality features

Sturdy cantilever frame
American-made coaster brake
Chrome plated front carrier
Schwinn approved headlight
Strong tubular enameled rims
Built-in kickstand
Resilient, lont-lasting nylon tires

See the full 1963 Schwinn catalog.

1964


Cantilever frame, built in kickstand, front carrier, light, two tone saddle, nylon tires.

1964 Schwinn Hornet

coaster 2-speed
Colors: Flamboyant Red or Black.

  • L13 - Hornet ................ Coaster - $46.95 / 2-speed - $56.95
  • L23 - Hornet ................ Coaster - $44.95 / 2-speed - $54.95

Schwinn quality features

Semi equipped middleweight.
FRAME - Schwinn cantilever frame.. sturdy.. with special head, hanger and fork-end design.. special.. welding and aligning processes that make Schwinn bikes the strongest ever built.
CARRIER - Chrome plated front carrier for carrying books or packages.
HEADLIGHT - Handlebar mounted front headlight... strong headlight beam.
COASTER BRAKE - American-made...Smooth working...sure stopping.
KICKSTAND-Built- in....Strong...rattle free..long lasting.
TIRES - Nylon...tough.resilient...wear-resisting.

See the full 1964 Schwinn catalog.

1978


New design concepts.

1978 schwinn hornet and tornado

1978 Schwinn Hornet

Simulated MX tanks.
BMX number plates.
Exciting colors.

  • Model J33-6......$121.95

Colors: Black with yellow and orange trim. Yellow with black and orange trim.

The Schwinn Hornet is an exciting BMX inspired bike with a sturdy Schwinn-built cantilever frame plus a streamlined motorcycle style tank and BMX mudguards. The big two-tone number plate says you're Number One on the Hornet. Full-size MX style saddle. Another example of the Schwinn "Big Ride" bicycle that blends the best of the BMX look with space age design. Weight. 36 lbs.

See the full 1978 Schwinn catalog.


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