Help with identification and year???

Submitted by Magnetic old iron on Mon, 08/30/2021 - 14:47

I'm wanting to learn about a bike I have. Trying to figure out the model and year. Also it has some strange features that I haven't been able to figure out. There's a tab on the headset that locks the bars in position and there are two sets of small diameter tubes directly below the headset??? I would also like to find some tires for it.

Any info would be greatly appreciated, thanks.

12 Comments

Submitted by Magnetic old iron on Mon, 08/30/2021 - 14:54.

Some pictures 

cf1e5f2d-08b2-417d-acc1-f70efa6cb8f2.jpeg 5a511970-553f-43fe-927e-8e7c94c13676.jpeg 1ee17bc5-62b1-451e-bd0e-1b7afd332cf9.jpeg 24060798-f413-4bd7-811f-b461b3dab2be.jpeg

Submitted by Brian R. on Mon, 08/30/2021 - 16:36.

From the A as the second digit in the serial number it was made for 1937, and from that year catalogue available on this site it looks like the delivery model. Those brackets are for a tubular metal frame to hold a wooden crate.

dsc00727.jpg

Submitted by Magnetic old iron on Mon, 08/30/2021 - 16:48.

Thanks Brian, that's helpful. Would the tab to lock the steering be for stability when parked with a load in the basket?

Submitted by Brian R. on Mon, 08/30/2021 - 16:51.

For tires, when we finally get back to having vintage bike swap meets you can find some old 28 x 1 1/2" tires, or you can buy new 700c (622) tires. My favorite is Electra Amsterdam 700x40c available at your local Trek bike dealer or online. They have a vintage style tread and are a nice thick size that look better on old CCMs than thinner 35c tires in my opinion.

12712_a_1_electra_amsterdam_tire.jpeg

Submitted by Brian R. on Mon, 08/30/2021 - 16:54.

Your guess on the tab thing seems bang on to me! I'd never seen one before, but when the bike is on a center stand you wouldn't want the basket flopping sideways.

Submitted by Magnetic old iron on Mon, 08/30/2021 - 19:41.

Thanks again for the great information Brian, I'll be searching for tires and working on getting it road worthy again.

Submitted by DUOMATIC on Mon, 08/30/2021 - 19:46.

It is a CCM delivery bike without the basket and the tab is for holding the basket straight.

 

 

Submitted by bicyclecollector on Tue, 08/31/2021 - 13:49.

Don't look for the tires Brian told you. Delivery bikes have 26" tires not 28". They should be 26" x 1 3/4" tires. At least this is what they are on my 1936 and this is what it says in my 1936 and 1937 catalogs.
You can get black Cheng Shin Tyre size 47-571 (26" *1 3/4"). They will fit if your rims are the original 26" delivery rims. Those tires are very easy to find online and pretty cheap

Your bike seems to have the proper heavy duty 3/16" chain and sprockets. Don't switch them out. They are rare.

You are only missing the pedals, basket, delivery sign panel and rear stand. Pedals should be Gibsons. Seat is wrong.
The clip is to hold the bike straight when it's parked to that the heavy load in the basket doesn't tilt the front wheel and tilt the bike

Submitted by bicyclecollector on Tue, 08/31/2021 - 13:51.

The basket originally held a wicker basket.

Submitted by bicyclecollector on Tue, 08/31/2021 - 14:03.

Just blew up your pictures and it looks like you do have the Gibson pedals on there.

Submitted by Magnetic old iron on Tue, 08/31/2021 - 19:55.

Awesome info, thanks so much. I wasn't sure about the seat, it obviously needs to be recovered but if it's not correct I might not bother. Good to know about the tire size, I haven't done any measuring yet. What are the odds of finding the metal frame and basket and the proper stand?? I read that this model was only available in black, is that correct? I was also not aware of it having a delivery sign. Cool stuff, thanks again.

Submitted by Brian R. on Thu, 09/02/2021 - 10:20.

When I zoomed in on the '37 catalogue, the text became fuzzy so I couldn't make out the tire size. Keep the Electra tires in mind if you are working on a CCM bike with 28" rims.