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1942/43 Roadster details
I started this discussion over on the Crackbook where Mark McGuire provided some information, and on his recommendation, I'm posting here for further details.
The bike I'm restoring is a '42 or '43 CCM Roadster (loop frame?) barn find with 1H SN prefix. Over the last (almost) 80 years it lost the saddle, pedals and grips, but otherwise appears to be intact. There's no indication it ever had a head badge, and Mark states that it would have had a decal, although there's no remnants extant.
Mark provided the Wartime specs (and that's in another thread here) which are pretty clear how war grade bikes would have been screwed together after April '43, but it doesn't appear to have those features: this one has chrome wheels and crank, pinstriped dark blue paint rather than black. The paint appears to be original as there's nothing underneath, and the white pinstripe appears to be original. The fenders are off-white with red highlight and appear to be original as well.
It does have the Triplex crank set, and it has an oiler cap on the bottom bracket... which was probably never used. I was pleased to see that the bearings are standard "American" / Ashtabula / BMX bottom bracket so that's a $19 repair.
QUESTIONS:
Am I correct in assuming the 1H serial number is a late '42 or early '43, built before the war spec was issued? That would make it a war time bike, but not war spec.
where can I get a replacement waterslide decal, or a graphic file?
The catalogue says the guards should be 'Ashes of Roses', which my searching suggests is a pink with underlying brick tone (I'm colourblind, don't blame me!) but my seeing-eye-wife says they're light grey, or dirty white. Does anyone have colour codes for the correct colour?
The documentation that I have found, 'Canadian War Orders and Regulations' established by 'The Wartime Prices and Trade Board' was published in 1943. I have seen many 1942 (letter H in the serial number) bicycles not built to the Wartime Specifications. I would have suspected your bicycle not to be built to the specifications, but then I can't explain the fact it doesn't appear to have attachment holes for the head badge.
Mind you a lot of CCM introductions to certain models and build variations was not precise.
Maybe other forum members may have more input.
Mark
As far as the "Ashes of Roses" colour on the chain guard goes, CCM used this co;our for many years and it changed with time. It would not be that difficult to find the correct chain guard in good shape in this colour. Alyernatively, if you watch Ebay, you can often find this colour in small tins, as sold by CCM. Years ago, I had this colour matched in an enamel at my local Benjamin Moore paint dealer and I may still have some. The formula may be on the can, but it will not be worth much now since most paint shops have stopped selling old style enamels. Automotive base/clear paints are not very authentic looking.
... checks Ebay, surprised to find an OEM can of CCM Ashes of Roses paint, but it's 85 years old... The auto supply shop across the street does single-stage enamel colour match, I just need a sample, or code they can look up. I'm not sure I can trust the one small patch of paint on the fender, since it is 80 years old and this thing sat in the sun for a very long time.
I'm colour handicaped, but maybe someone can look at this to see if it's close? https://www.myperfectcolor.com/paint/290139-pantone-15-0703-tpx-ashes-of...
I found a can I had matched in enamel 11 years ago. It was mayched to a very good chainguard that I had. I have the formula in Benjamin Moore enamel paint, but it may not mean much now. What part of the country do you live in?
Country? Well, if KKKenny has his way, it will be the Independant Republic of AlberDUH, but for now, it's still plain ole Alberta.
See if you can find the paint code, the shop across the road has a magic computer with all the manufacturer formulas.
I pulled out 2 vintage chainguards.I will see if I can download the picture I took. I live in Edmonton. The one chainguard is more of an ivory colour while the other is mote of a slightly rose-coloured grey. What kind of a restoration are you planning? Don't get the paint made up yet - we may be able to work something out.
Well, coincidentally, I'm in Edmonton too!
The chain guard on this one is frame coloured... or it was 80 years ago, and will be again soon. I'll do some colour sanding tomorrow and give it another coat to help fill in the rust pits.
Restoration of this bike will be, as with all the other restoration work I do, the way it was the day it left the bike shop, or as close as I can get it.
If the chain guard was blue, are you still looking for Ashes of Roses paint? It is probably harder to match the blue than it is to match Ashes of Roses. Which paint shop are you using? I could take the chainguard over and they could scan it.
Are you looking to repaint some parts, or do the whole bike?
There are no parts that aren't completey rusty, so it's a total restoration. Frame and chain guard are dark blue with AoR pinstripe, fenders are AoR with red centre strip (like the image below... the best spot on the whole bike). The wheels, according to the sales literature, have a red strip on the Westwood bump (along the spoke line) with AoR pinstripe.
So, yes, I need the AoR colour match.
Let's coordinate on Email: marcel@starchak.ca