I want one to ride but the old ones are hard to find and most expensive . Why not make reproductions ? What would it take . Who holds the patents now? They do this with the finest cars . Why not the Flyte?
While I"m no patent lawyer, the patents on the Flyte would have expired long ago. Most countries had patent laws with a 20 year term but Canada's was 17 years. The Flyte's patents sould have expired in 1953 but may have expired even earlier, as last production was in 1941 and CCM may not have maintained the annual payments required to ensure the patent reached term.
Building a Flyte replica would probably not be that difficult, though it may be quite expensive. Small run frame builders charge quite a bit for custom bicycles. Steel frames in a builder's standard design are typically running $1500-$2000 CDN from a reputable builder. Something like a Flyte would cost even more. There'd probably be certain concession too, with it not being an exact Flyte replica. For that kind of pring, it makes more sense to buy a real Flyte.
Submitted by giftagins on Mon, 09/30/2013 - 19:52.
While i agree a single flyte would be expensive to build a small run of multibles might bring the cost down .They are attractive to sell to a niche market . It would require a sizable investment,but perhaps a sizable return due to popularity of vintage bikes. Many parts could be modern and cheap, just that airstrem look would sell . I can see how owners of originals could be hesitant but I would love to be part of bringing it back to life. Few can argue it is the sweetest ride they have ever seen.
In 1995, Schwinn decided to reproduce their famous Black Phantom, to celebrate the company's centennial. The anticipated production run was 5,000 units. The bicycles were priced at $3000, which was reportedly a break even cost. In the end, the anticipated sales did not materialize and they produced somewhere between 2.0000-3,000 bicycles.
IMO, the Black Phantom reissue probably had a much larger potential resale market than a Flyte replica would. It was not as unconventional as the Flyte and lasted in production for a full decade. Schwinn undoubtedly sold a lot more Phantoms than CCM sold Flytes. Just based on respective populations alone, you would have to place the prospective Flyte market at 1/10 that of a Phantom. Add in the more radical natureof the Flyte and it's almost certainly something less. The reduced manufacturing volume alone would drive the price up substantially. Then you have to factor in the manufacturing price increase since 1995. Also, consider that Schwinn still had much of the original tooling from the 1950s to rely on and mitigate the selling price. It wouldn't surprise me if much of the Flyte tooling was scrapped for raw materials to supply the war effort. Developing new tooling is very expensive.
While I'd like to see a Flyte reissue as much as anybody else on the forum, the lessons from the Schwinn reissue would seem to indicate that it would be a very risky and expensive project.
I forgot to mention one further obstacle in my previous post. Even if the necessary capital could be raised, you may not be able to call it a CCM Flyte. The Flyte name may have been copyrighted or trademarked. Copyrights are valid for 75 years and trademarks are subject to renewal every 15 years. In the case of Flyte, CCM also used this name for their line of accessories, so it's quite possible that a copyright or trademarkis still in effect.
In any case, you surely would not be able to advertise it as CCM, without permission. It's my understanding that the CCM brand name is soley owned by Sport Maska and that they have licensed it's use on bicycles to the Canadian Tire Corp[oration.
Neither Sport Maska nor CTC are likely permit use of the brand and/or model name without charging a fee. Not being able to offically call it a CCM Flyte would almost certainly affect sales.
Submitted by giftagins on Thu, 10/03/2013 - 18:38.
I most certainly appreciate the information T-mar and the lack of other response I would have to agree with you that it is a near impossable undertaking, I will now use all my tradesman ability to create one for myself using the dimensions of the original and the parts from other bikes to create my own flyte. as Arnold Shwarzenegger says in his rule suceess "Don't listen to the naysayers". I will most certainly show you the "Frankenstein Flyte"I will create.
If you want to build one as a labour of love, it's certainly a different proposition from a commericial project. I wish you the best of luck on your endeavours and look forward to the results.
sounds like i good thing am in . whers the patents
While I"m no patent lawyer, the patents on the Flyte would have expired long ago. Most countries had patent laws with a 20 year term but Canada's was 17 years. The Flyte's patents sould have expired in 1953 but may have expired even earlier, as last production was in 1941 and CCM may not have maintained the annual payments required to ensure the patent reached term.
Building a Flyte replica would probably not be that difficult, though it may be quite expensive. Small run frame builders charge quite a bit for custom bicycles. Steel frames in a builder's standard design are typically running $1500-$2000 CDN from a reputable builder. Something like a Flyte would cost even more. There'd probably be certain concession too, with it not being an exact Flyte replica. For that kind of pring, it makes more sense to buy a real Flyte.
While i agree a single flyte would be expensive to build a small run of multibles might bring the cost down .They are attractive to sell to a niche market . It would require a sizable investment,but perhaps a sizable return due to popularity of vintage bikes. Many parts could be modern and cheap, just that airstrem look would sell . I can see how owners of originals could be hesitant but I would love to be part of bringing it back to life. Few can argue it is the sweetest ride they have ever seen.
In 1995, Schwinn decided to reproduce their famous Black Phantom, to celebrate the company's centennial. The anticipated production run was 5,000 units. The bicycles were priced at $3000, which was reportedly a break even cost. In the end, the anticipated sales did not materialize and they produced somewhere between 2.0000-3,000 bicycles.
IMO, the Black Phantom reissue probably had a much larger potential resale market than a Flyte replica would. It was not as unconventional as the Flyte and lasted in production for a full decade. Schwinn undoubtedly sold a lot more Phantoms than CCM sold Flytes. Just based on respective populations alone, you would have to place the prospective Flyte market at 1/10 that of a Phantom. Add in the more radical natureof the Flyte and it's almost certainly something less. The reduced manufacturing volume alone would drive the price up substantially. Then you have to factor in the manufacturing price increase since 1995. Also, consider that Schwinn still had much of the original tooling from the 1950s to rely on and mitigate the selling price. It wouldn't surprise me if much of the Flyte tooling was scrapped for raw materials to supply the war effort. Developing new tooling is very expensive.
While I'd like to see a Flyte reissue as much as anybody else on the forum, the lessons from the Schwinn reissue would seem to indicate that it would be a very risky and expensive project.
I forgot to mention one further obstacle in my previous post. Even if the necessary capital could be raised, you may not be able to call it a CCM Flyte. The Flyte name may have been copyrighted or trademarked. Copyrights are valid for 75 years and trademarks are subject to renewal every 15 years. In the case of Flyte, CCM also used this name for their line of accessories, so it's quite possible that a copyright or trademarkis still in effect.
In any case, you surely would not be able to advertise it as CCM, without permission. It's my understanding that the CCM brand name is soley owned by Sport Maska and that they have licensed it's use on bicycles to the Canadian Tire Corp[oration.
Neither Sport Maska nor CTC are likely permit use of the brand and/or model name without charging a fee. Not being able to offically call it a CCM Flyte would almost certainly affect sales.
I most certainly appreciate the information T-mar and the lack of other response I would have to agree with you that it is a near impossable undertaking, I will now use all my tradesman ability to create one for myself using the dimensions of the original and the parts from other bikes to create my own flyte. as Arnold Shwarzenegger says in his rule suceess "Don't listen to the naysayers". I will most certainly show you the "Frankenstein Flyte"I will create.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eq-8NXeOxIk
peace to all you Flyte lovers
If you want to build one as a labour of love, it's certainly a different proposition from a commericial project. I wish you the best of luck on your endeavours and look forward to the results.