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1932 Olympics CCM racing bike of Glen Robbins
Thank you for including me in your group.
I found Vintage CCM while searching for info on my late father-in-law's racing bike he used in the 1932 ( Los Angeles ) Olympics.
When I found the bike in his tool shed it was in pretty rough shape. Over the years everyone had a go at riding and repairing it as well as a couple of paint jobs.
My wife and I rescued it from further deterioration by moving it to our heated basement but other than a light cleaning and lubrication nothing has been done to restore it. I have seen a similar bike ( Torchy Peden's ) totally restored with new chrome and paint but that's not our intent. In our opinion we think trying to preserve it's history by keeping as much of the bruises and scrapes as possible is the way to go. What we would like to do however is source parts that have been altered or missing to bring it back to the 1930's.
The head badge is a glaring example of the parts that are missing as are the wheels. I don't claim to know what is original and what is not so I am hopeful you can give some guidance and help in the light restoration of this historic Canadian bicycle.
cheers
Mark
Photo’ of Glen Robbins 1932 Olympics CCM
I've seen this bicycle before. What you don't say is whether you want to return it to 1932 factory specifications or 1932 Olympics configuration, as they could be very different. The former is easier and to that end I'm including a scan of the specifications from the 1932 catalogue. Obvious deviations include the wheels (or at least the rims and tyres) and the 1/2" pitch drivetrain. Of course, there's also the possibility that it's not a 1932 model. The serial number, which is typically located on the top tang of the seat lug, just in front of the seat post, should allow the year to be determined.
If you're looking for 1932 Olympics condition, that becomes harder. Elite level cyclists often change components. This is particularly true of the contact points (saddles, handlebar/stem combination and pedals), to provide the fit and level of comfort to which the athlete is accustomed. For instance, let's say that CCM delivered him a brand new Flyer, a month before the Games. He is not going to risk breaking-in a new, hard, leather saddle and will just transfer the existing, broken-in saddle from his old bicycle.
Which leads us to the elephant in the room. I have seen two period photos of Robbins on his bicycle, including one taken at the Olympic Velodrome with the other members of the Canadian cycling team. The latter is attached and he appears to be riding a smaller frame than the subject bicycle.