This is a 1952 Japanese Araya Swallow Bicycle.  This photo was taken of Granddaddy Mattson in 1953.  A man after my own heart.  His comment on the back of the photo only confirms my thoughts about him.  Granddaddy Mattson gave me this bike.  In actuality, not only did he give it to me, he loaded it in his car himself and brought it to my house.  It is a heavy bike! Granddaddy Mattson was all of 86 years old when he brought it to my house!  He truly was a great guy.

Mr. Mattson was a remarkable man with an astounding memory for his age and fascinating to have a conversation with.  The bike needs tires and Grandaddy Mattson told me that the old ones on the bike were 26 inch tires.  Upon closer inspection of the old, disintegrated tires, I found them to be 26 inch tires, just like Grandaddy Mattson said they were.  My grandfather-in-law says that he bought the bicycle in Tokyo while stationed there in the army.  He bought it in 1952 for $52.00.  That's how he says he remembers the year and the price.  A truly remarkable man.  What follows are some photos demonstrating the details of the bicycle.