1960's Canadian F12 26 inch rim question

Submitted by portdalhousie on Tue, 06/02/2015 - 06:59

Hi,  I am working on a mid-60's CCM, and I have F12 rims on the bike.  However the front and rear rim profiles are different.  The rear rim has a flat V shape, and the front rim has a rounded central bump, of the Westwood rim style usually seen on rod brake roadsters, but also on early CCMs.   In searching for parts, I have come across two other bikes with this same configuration of F12 rims with this odd installation. 

My first thought is that the front rims have been replaced during the life of the bike--kids riding over curbs and hill jumping trashed the initial front wheels.   But is it possible that bikes were sold with different rim types on front and rear wheels?   Both sorts are stamped F 12, and one bike has F12 on the existing tires.  I would hate to cut out and replace the front rim, if is is in fact correct! 

Any help or comments greatly appreciated! 

 

--David

2 Comments

Submitted by jdwillia on Tue, 06/02/2015 - 09:11.

Hello David,

It is highly unlikely that the bicycle was originally sold with two mismatched rims. It could be that both the front and the rear wheel have been replaced over time. If they happen to be spoked 32 front and 40 rear, this would be an indication that the wheels were made in England. The F12 rim, with a 571mm. bead diameter, is rarely seen outside of Canada. This size was based on the English 26 X 1 3/4 W.O. (wired-on) rim that was used on English trade bicycles. This size of rim was first used in Canada by CCM in the 1930's. The first rims were Westwood style, in the 1950's, some "Dunrick" or "Westrick" rims were produced with a pronounced centre bump with squarer sides. In the 1960's, CCM used their V160 Endrick style rims. If the bicycle is truly from the 1960's, I would think that these rims would be an appropriate choice. Eventually, CCM started using foreign made rims to lower costs. I hope this helps.

Regards,

John Williamson

Submitted by portdalhousie on Wed, 06/03/2015 - 19:22.

Hello John, 

Thanks so much for all of this information!  The rear rim on my bike is the V160, and I just picked up another rim that I can use for the front wheel.  --David Webb