1927 Massey Questions

Submitted by Brian R. on Fri, 02/16/2018 - 10:02

I recently acquired a 1927 CCM Massey men's frame. It's just a bare frame with a badge and nothing else, not even a fork. I have enough 1920s CCM parts to build it, but I have two questions I hope someone can help with:

- In 1927 would a 28" CCM have been sold with wood rims or steel? I have a 1927 Girls Cleveland with 26" wood rims, and I've been told that 1927 was the last year wood rims were sold on CCMs, but I'm wondering if CCM had already switched to steel on their 28" wheel bikes by then. Or perhaps wood rims were standard with steel as optional?

- Would a 1927 CCM Massey have been manufactured with the same triple plate Massey fork crown that is shown in the 1918 catalogue, or had CCM moved to a generic fork crown for all it's models (except Flyer) by then?

Thanks.

11 Comments

Submitted by T-Mar on Fri, 02/16/2018 - 13:13.

The rim description on the 1927 roadster page only mentions the rim stripe option, so they appear to have been wood. The 1928 catalogue specifically mentions steel with wood rims being an extra charge.

The 1927 & 1928 dealer catalogues only show the CCM badged models but mention the optional brands. However, in the replacement fork section they state, "When ordering kindly mention the Bicycle Nameplate...". This implies the forks still varied by brand. 

Be aware that a 1927 serial number could be a 1928 model, if manufactured late in the year. In 1927, domestic bicycle production was about 25.000 units, of which the vast majority would be CCM manufacture. So, if you have a relatively high serial number, I'd have no qualms about configuring it as a 1928 model with steel rims. 

The only specifically mentjoned differences between 1927&1928, besides the rims, were the saddle and a colour option.  1927 used the #1860 Champion saddle, while1928 spec'd the #1852 Troxel Motorbike saddle. 1928 had an additional green with red stripe colour option. I trust this helps. 

Submitted by Brian R. on Fri, 02/16/2018 - 14:57.

Thanks T-Mar. Is there any chance you could post the rim stripe option page? Is it a colour page like the one in the 1918 catalogue? I've developed a method of painting multiple stripes on wood rims so if I know the stripe pattern for a 1927 CCM Massey, or the standard stripes for 1927 frame colours, I might be tempted to reproduce them on wood rims for this bike.

Submitted by T-Mar on Fri, 02/16/2018 - 18:59.

Brian, the two mentioned rim stripings for the 1927 Roadster were 38 & 76, as pictured below. Given that the 76 rim striping was paired with the 26 (sapphire blue and gold stripe) frame finish, I suspect  that the thin rim stripes reproduced poorly in the catalogue and are supposed to be more yellow/gold. 

ccm_rim_striping_38.jpg ccm_rim_striping_76.jpg

Submitted by Brian R. on Fri, 02/16/2018 - 20:07.

Thanks again T-Mar. Here is a pic of the rims I painted last year. I believe the word for this is serendipidy!!

20170315_165352.jpg

Submitted by Brian R. on Fri, 02/16/2018 - 20:43.

What was the frame colour that went with rim 38, black, or maroon, or black with a red "starburst" head?

20170315_165449.jpg

Submitted by T-Mar on Sat, 02/17/2018 - 09:03.

Brian, on the 1927 Roadster, the 38 rim striping was used for both the 4 (maroon and gold striopes) and 14 (black and gold stripes) frame finishes. The 1927 Roadster was not mentioned as being available with a sunburst head, though you could probably order it custom.

Submitted by jdwillia on Sun, 02/18/2018 - 23:10.

Hi Brian,

A while back I took apart a 1927 Massey roadster. It had steel rims and they were original. I still have the original fork if you are interested. It is a special design with an integrated truss rod. My frame was larger (34/22).

John Williamson

Submitted by Brian R. on Mon, 02/19/2018 - 01:00.

Thanks John and T-Mar. The serial number is K10738, so I feel confident calling it a 1927 model. I will attach a photo of fork crown from a 1925 Cleveland Sport Roadster. I have a 1922 and a '25 with this fork. The seat tube clamp on the '22 is broken so I was going to part it out to finish the '25. Is this the same fork found on a '27 Massey? My '27 Girls bike has the traditional Cleveland single plate crown but I guess they used the stronger triple plate for the Sport Roadster and Motorbike with the fork truss. I hope it's the same because I could use the fork from the '22 on the Massey if it is. I think I have the smaller 22/20 frame.
-cheers.

20180218_211613.jpg

Submitted by jdwillia on Tue, 02/20/2018 - 00:20.

Hi Brian,

This fork is very similar to the fork on the 1927 Massey, but the Massey fork has only a double plate crown, and not a triple plate crown. The attached truss rods are the same.

John

Submitted by Brian R. on Tue, 02/20/2018 - 21:42.

John, I measured my Massey frame and it's a 24/22, with a 7" headtube, not the smaller frame. So I would like to take you up on your offer of the fork, thanks very much. I'll send an email tomorrow.

Submitted by Brian R. on Wed, 02/21/2018 - 10:13.

Hi John. You must have a new email address, it bounced back.

Can you email me at brianrreynolds@yahoo.com please? (don't miss the middle "r")