15 Vintage Bike Accessories from the ’70s You Don’t See Now
Bikes in the 1970s often came with bold, creative accessories that are rarely seen on modern bicycles.
- Sophia Zapanta
- 5 min read
In the 1970s, bicycles were a big part of kids’ lives, and accessories were used to personalize, decorate, or modify them. These add-ons often focused more on looks than safety or practicality. Today, many of these vintage bike accessories have disappeared as trends shifted and safety standards changed.
1. Banana Seats
Ermell on Wikimedia Commons
Banana seats were long, padded seats shaped like a banana, allowing kids to slide back and forth or ride with a friend. They were often paired with high-rise handlebars for a chopper-style look. This type of seat was common on “muscle bikes” like the Schwinn Sting-Ray. Today’s bike seats are smaller, shaped for comfort, and designed for one rider only.
2. Sissy Bars
AndrewDressel on Wikimedia Commons
A sissy bar was a metal bar attached to the back of a bike seat, rising up behind the rider like a backrest. It added style and helped secure a second rider or carry a small bag. Some sissy bars were tall and curved, becoming a key part of the bike’s look. They are no longer common, as modern bikes prioritize lightweight frames and practical seating.
3. Spoke Beads
CEphoto, Uwe Aranas on Wikimedia Commons
Spoke beads were colorful plastic pieces that snapped onto wheel spokes and clicked as the wheels turned. They came in basic shapes or themed designs and made noise while riding. Many kids liked the sound and the motion of the beads moving up and down the spokes. Today, most bikes avoid anything that adds noise or friction to the ride.
4. Handlebar Streamers
Oleg Kuzma on Pexels
These were plastic ribbons attached to the ends of handlebars and fluttered in the wind while riding. They came in shiny colors and were usually made for kids’ bikes, especially for girls. The streamers were easy to install and gave a playful touch to the bike. They are now rarely used, as modern bike styles have become more minimal.
5. Wheelie Bars
Art Merikotka on Pexels
Some kids added a wheelie bar to the back of their bike so they could pop wheelies without flipping over. These bars extended behind the back tire and acted as a safety stop. They were mostly used on muscle bikes with banana seats. As stunt riding changed, these bars became less popular and were phased out.
6. Spokey Dokeys
Oliver Magno on Pexels
Spokey Dokeys were a type of spoke decoration that clicked with motion and made bikes stand out visually and audibly. They often came in multi-colored sets and made each ride feel personalized. Kids would collect and trade them with friends. These are now considered more of a novelty than a common accessory.
7. Flashing Rear Reflectors
Notafly on Wikimedia Commons
Some 1970s bikes had battery-powered flashing red lights mounted to the rear, acting as reflectors and alert signals. They were large, boxy, and used simple incandescent bulbs. These were mainly for visibility in low-light conditions. Today’s lights are smaller, brighter, and use LED technology, making the older models obsolete.
8. License Plates
Padgriffin on Wikimedia Commons
Kids often attached miniature, personalized license plates to the back of their bikes. These were made of plastic or metal and displayed names, states, or custom designs. You could buy them at toy stores or through cereal box promotions. They are rarely used now, as modern bikes focus more on function than decoration.
9. Tassel Grips
Raka Miftah on Pexels
Tassel grips were handlebar grips with built-in fringe or leather-like tassels hanging from the ends. They were seen as stylish and gave the bike a custom look. Some even matched the seat or frame colors. These grips have faded out of style and are not commonly made anymore.
10. Bike Horns
Proa 500 on Wikimedia Commons
Rubber bulb horns were clamped to handlebars and made a honking sound when squeezed. They were usually shaped like animal heads or plain metal bells with black rubber bulbs. While fun and loud, they didn’t meet modern safety standards. Today’s bike horns and bells are quieter, smaller, and designed for road safety.
11. Springer Forks
cottonbro studio on Pexels
Springer forks were suspension-style front forks that looked like motorcycle shocks. They were added for appearance rather than actual performance. The spring allowed slight movement but wasn’t very effective at absorbing shocks. Most bikes today use real suspension systems or rigid forks, depending on use.
12. Reflective Spoke Covers
Ron Lach on Pexels
These were long plastic tubes or wraps that covered each spoke and glowed under headlights. They were often part of safety campaigns and gave the bike a glowing look at night. While somewhat helpful, they added weight and could affect wheel balance. Reflective tape and better lighting have replaced them in modern bikes.
13. Stunt Pegs (Early Versions)
Artem Yellow on Pexels
Though more common in BMX bikes later on, early pegs were sometimes added to rear axles for tricks or giving someone a ride. These were usually metal bars that screwed onto the axle. They weren’t as strong or purpose-built as modern stunt pegs. As BMX culture developed, better designs replaced these early versions.
14. Mirror Sets
Dulliman on Wikimedia Commons
Bike mirrors in the 1970s were big, plastic-framed, and often mounted on both handlebars. Some even had chrome-style finishes to mimic motorcycle mirrors. They were popular among kids pretending to ride motorcycles. Most bikes now use small, streamlined mirrors for urban commuting or road biking.
15. Decorative Tire Inserts
Alextredz on Wikimedia Commons
Some kids added colored inserts or patterns inside their tires to leave shapes on the ground while riding. These inserts didn’t affect performance but gave a unique visual effect. They were short-lived due to wear and limited function. Modern tires focus entirely on grip, durability, and safety.