30s Road Racer (I think)

Submitted by markk900 on Wed, 05/18/2016 - 19:57

Hi all - just got approved on the forum (thanks John), and wanted to introduce myself and post a question. 

I've been over on the bikeforums C&V subforum for years:  I have a lot of different styles I like.  Relevant to this forum, I wanted to share what I think is a late 30s Road Racer. 

Back story is that my wife's father rode what we think was an early 30s Flyer for a number of years (he was a bit of a scorcher), using it even for his paper route (with fixed gear!).  After the war, he passed the bike on to his brother, who also rode it for a number of years and then some unnamed issue happened and the frame needed to be replaced.    The uncle replaced the frame with a used one you will see in these pictures, which appears to be a 1938 Road Racer.  We have a bill of sale for the frame from around 1948. There was no evidence of a down tube decal (except for the Brown's decal from the original shop), but we believe the paint to be original. 

 

Anyway, on to the good stuff:  would appreciate any thoughts confirming or not the actual model.

http://s197.photobucket.com/user/markk900/1938%20ccm/story

We beleive the rear wheel is not original (coaster brake), and clearly the saddle and pedals are newer.  Not sure about the bars themselves, but believe the stem to be original and from the Flyer.  Anyway, comments welcome and expected!

6 Comments

Submitted by T-Mar on Thu, 05/19/2016 - 06:56.

I know this bicycle. No change to my previous comments.

Submitted by markk900 on Thu, 05/19/2016 - 16:47.

Thanks Tom....for others, Tom identified that the narrow seat post and pressed fork ends indicated Road Racer...serial number is definitely 1938.  Paint was a question, though on C&V it seemed to be the concensus that it could be original but perhaps a factory custom order.

 

Looking for help in identifying what the original wheels would be;  pedals; and seat.  Not sure if bars are original with new tape or substitute;  I must say the stem is lovely.  It was supposedly transfered over from the earlier bike, along with the cranks but would appreciate any help in confirming or denying that.

 

Other question is:  clean up/patina or repaint?  I see John has some great repro decals, and the finish is pretty beat up, but thoughts?

Submitted by roadworthy on Thu, 05/19/2016 - 18:00.

All parts on this bike including red Dunlop tires are original to this model, the CCM Road racer, including the stem, EXCEPT the pedals, bars, back hub, fenders and of course the seat. The Flyer was fitted with a slightly different stem profile. 

The original hub would have been a Phillips made fixed/free version as  are the pedals.  The seat - Brooks Kaydex model.  The paint colour, pale green was a rare factory option.

restore? No........ as tough physically as it is, it is a great survivor with a pedigree to match!

 

Submitted by cruisersbylou on Thu, 05/19/2016 - 21:36.

Hey Mark I have a 1939 Road Racer also same pale green except mine is kinda of oddity as my rear drop outs are forward facing my scallops are gold as yours are red. I also agree with roadworthy as the paint is nice give a good wash and wax redo bearings etc. They are only original once so give it a good cleaning and ride it once in a while and enjoy.

Submitted by markk900 on Fri, 05/20/2016 - 07:29.

Thanks roadworthy and cruisersbylou:  Agree that a good cleanup is in order before anything else.

I started down the path of trying to locate period appropriate pedals:  I assume they should be rattrap style so will look for something of that era, but I assume original stuff is both rare and spendy.

Tires:  is there anyone making repro tires - I thought the red might be original (from the brochure) but couldn't imagine these were that old....however nice repros would go a long way as part of the charm is the wheelset.  Will likely ride with the wheels there while sourcing appropriate replacements as well.

Mark

Submitted by markk900 on Sun, 10/30/2016 - 12:27.

Ressurecting this thread to show the progress to date.

For those of you who were worried it would get "restored", fear not.  I have just done enough to clean it up a bit and make it rideable.  Surprisingly, the bottom bracket needed no disassembly - a little bit of oil and it spun smoothly.  One day I will tackle it but not yet.

Wheels are obviously incorrect and I know they were put on in the early 70s (35 years after the bike was built), but they are good quality (rigida rims, galvanized spokes, Sturmey Archer front hub and possibly the coaster brake) and will stay on until originals (that I can afford) can be located. 

Handlbars are not marked so can't tell if they are original though they appear modern to me, and the pedals are newly installed, possibly Phillips, from much later (but better than the KKT pedals that were installed in the 70s as well).

Seat is clearly wrong, but will do for now.

So here it is:

http://s197.photobucket.com/user/markk900/38%20ccm%20cleaned%20up/story

 

So can anyone identify the coaster hub - it seems very much like a Perry or SA hub based on the way the brake arm slots into the hub and the fact it uses an SA compatible driver (I changed the rear sprocket from a 16T to 18T), but no markings on it whatsoever....

Also, does anyone have a source for crank bolts?