Another Headscratcher !!!

Submitted by H2Rick on Fri, 07/19/2024 - 21:46

OK, all you CCAM gurus out there......here's another one for you to sort out. This belongs to my wife's 1st cousin and ger husband thought it would be nice to find out more about this old CCM. After making the serial number appear from under the 3 coats of paint, I was sure someone out there on this board would help me help him. I sure was surprised to see Inoue "Tyres" on a bike this old......unless they were replaced somewhere along the way ?? Also, would that have been a Brooks or similar leather saddle on this bike originally ?? Regardless, all suggestions/clarifications/dating would be greatly appreciated.

8 Comments

Submitted by T-Mar on Sat, 07/20/2024 - 07:53.

The wheel and tire size, in conjunction with the chrome plated rims,and dual braced fenders are indicative of a balloon tire model. Basically, it's a Red Bird Balloon Tire Roadster. The serial number indicates 1939 manufacture, though it's high enough that it could be a 1940 model manufactured late in the calendar year. I know that the premium Triplex crankset and Gibson pedals on this model had been downgraded by 1941 but I'm not sure about 1940.

Submitted by H2Rick on Sat, 07/20/2024 - 08:33.

Many thanks T-Mar. As usual, you are THE guy with the answers. Would those Inoue tires have been replacement items from the 50's or 60's ?? Would the saddle have been a knockoff of the Brooks saddles of that era ??

Submitted by H2Rick on Sat, 07/20/2024 - 09:06.

OK.....Wikipedia says that Inoue started making bicycle tires in 1926......so those "tyres" could be originals. Who knew ?? laugh

Submitted by jdwillia on Sat, 07/20/2024 - 09:19.

The original tires would have beem Canadian made Dinlop 26 X 2. The seat is original. The vast majority of CCM Riadster and Motorbike models of this era han Americam made seats, usually by Messinger.

 

Submitted by gtflyte on Sat, 07/20/2024 - 14:11.

Enjoy

img_0263.jpeg img_0264.jpeg

Submitted by T-Mar on Sat, 07/20/2024 - 15:19.

Agreed, the OEM tyres would have been Dunlop's Balloon model. Right from the beginning, CCM used Dunlop tyres almost exclusively, until well into the post war period. That's because they were very close corporate  ties between the two companies.

When Massey proposed the amalgamation of Canadian bicycle companies to resist the invasion by the American Bicycle Company, he realized that it would be futile without having a guaranteed tyre source. Consequently, his syndicate of investors bought the North American Dunlop company in January 1899, allowing them to proceed with the plans for CCM.  About a month prior to establishing CCM, they sold off the USA portion of Dunlop, leading to speculation that the proceeds from that sale were used, at least partially,  to fund the creation of CCM. Right from the beginning, high positions in both Dunlop Canada and CCM were often held by a common person. So, there was vested interest in CCM bicycles using Dunlop tires.

Besides the tyres and tubes, the only other items that don't appear to OEM are the handlebar grips. I'm not sure if a chainguard would be correct. Chainguards were introduced on the Balloon tyre models sometime during 1939-1941. 

Submitted by H2Rick on Sat, 07/20/2024 - 22:22.

jdwillia and T-Mar: Thank you so much for the additional info. That makes a restoration project a lot easier.....although

I'd guess that 26 x 2 Dunlop Balloon tires would be impossible to find at this late date.LOL

Submitted by Dave Brown on Mon, 07/22/2024 - 14:51.

 Might be a problem finding original Dunllop in that size . But that size is out there you just have to dig. try the UK or other off shore places maybe even white walls,