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CCM bicycle
I have a ccm bicycle that I am restoring.
26x11/2" wheels
It has the brass ccm head badge, the lower forks are bent forward.
Crank has the ccm logo
Originally it was white with red decals.
Serial number is C56888
By the serial chart here it look as if it is a 1963 model,
what would the numbers mean ?
Will post a pic. as soon as I can get one.
regards,
TJ
Our current understanding is that there is no signifigance to the numeric sequence, other than it possibly being a sequential frame number (i.e 56,888th frame of the year). BTW, serial numbers in the early 1960s utilized six numerals and they typically employed leading zeroes, when applicable, so five numerals is strange. Also, the serial number codes for 1953-1963 are only guesses. Most charts use an extrapolated sequence to cover this period and the year codes vary, depending on whether you extrapolated up or down and where you terminate the series.
Unfortunately, CCM literature for the early 1960s is scarce. The only model I'm aware of that came in white during this period was the 1962 Catalina ladies' model. It went to Golden-Glo for 1963-1965, then Electronic Boue for it's final year in 1966. I don't know if CCM Marketed the Catalina prior to 1962.
I will try to capture a picture of the bike,
off an old 8mm film that I have of it when the bicycle was new.
thank you for your reply,
t.j.
The serial number is C56388
Have enclosed pic.'s of bicycle am working on.
~ Would you know the correct length of chain for this unit ?
Sincerely,
T.J.
It's definitely a Catalina frame, but there were no mens' versions catalogued in white between 1962 and 1966. The closest colour was Desert Sand in 1962. So, either this is pre-1962 or CCM did a run in a non-catalogued colour or it is non-factory paint.
As for the serial number, it is atypical for the era but based on the frame design and head badge, it is circa early 1960s.
Sorry, I don't know the correct chain length but shortenening chains is simple and rivet extractor tools are relatively inexpensive and readily available. If you don't have a local bicycle shop, Canadian Tire sells them for about $8.00. Use the current chain as a guide by removing the master link and laying it out straight, next to your new chain. Remove the required number of links to make the new chain the same length or slightly shorter than the old chain. When shortening chains, you have to remove the links by multiples of two, so that each end is a narrower, inner link that accepts the master link. If the old chain was too long, every extra two links you remove from the new chain will move the axle forward in the dropout slot by 1/2".