a Black Rambler?

Submitted by rambler_boy on Sun, 05/12/2013 - 09:58

Hey, long time reader, first time poster

I’m a big fan of the old ccm bicycles, but am having difficulty finding information on what looks like a repainted rambler I recently purchased from a collector.

Its an unusual bicycle, it looks as though it was originally painted burgundy and then painted black over top (as you can see in the photos). But the decal head badge is over the black paint, was it repainted in the factory this way? The serial number is intact except for the letter after the second number so I can’t date it using the serial number guide.

Any help or information would be greatly appreciated,

Thanks

4 Comments

Submitted by roadworthy on Sun, 05/12/2013 - 19:05.

The bike appears to have been painted factory black with CCM decal headbadge in keeping with war issue production.  The "burgundy " colour underneath is the primer.  Year - 1942-1945

Submitted by rambler_boy on Sun, 05/12/2013 - 19:53.

It looks like you’re right! Thank you. I have no idea what it is worth but I would like to keep it as original as possible. The seat says “made in Germany” so I doubt that was available on this bicycle during ww2 hahaha. I’m guessing a springer Troxel saddle would be appropriate for the time period?

Submitted by bikedenis on Mon, 05/13/2013 - 12:55.

At least a part of this bike has been repainted...Especially the last photo because I see a drop of dried painting...smiley

Submitted by T-Mar on Tue, 05/14/2013 - 19:24.

I suspect a repaint too. In places it looks the old paint was noit fully removed. Also, it a[ears there there are small usage pits that are fully painted over. Finally, I was under the impression that by 1942, the Rambler was offered only in the standard, roadster version? In other words, the Sport variant with truss fork was not availalble due to the material conservation program. If so, conversion of 1942 and later war time models would require separate purchase of an aftermarket fork truss. These would have been pre-war chromium plated versionls for which there would be no need for a repaint.  An enamelled fork truss which would be repainted,  would have been a a pre-1942 truss. Of course, it should be relatively easy to verify whether it is pre1942 or not via the serial number and the presence or absence of headbadge rivet holes.

As for the saddle, a Troxel was OEM in 1941, so I imagine it  was used for the duration of the war.