Hi from London Ontario.

Submitted by bikelady on Mon, 07/15/2013 - 18:33

My nickname has been "Bikelady" for over 40 years. I used to be the person to go to for all the local kids needing bike repairs in a couple of small Ontario towns where I lived over the years, but now I live in London. My passion for bicycles has been long lasting and now that I'm retired, I can spend hours repairing or restoring bikes. The latest find is a barn fresh Cleveland CCM with the headbadge intact but only one handlebar grip, wooden pedals that someone made up and some wire holding parts together. The original seat is there, in rough shape, but nice to have it just the same. This bike also has the wheelstand on the back fender that you push down unlocking it from the clip. It has 2 bolts underneath the bottom brack to hold the bb together.  The bike has the numbers 436 on the top of the badge, then Canadian Cycle and Motor Company Toronto Ontario. The serial number on the seat tube is 904B23. Can anyone help figure out what year this bike was made?  I have a few other vintage CCMs too, but I'm more interested in the Cleveland info as a newbie to this forum. I hope my photos show enough detail. I'm hoping that I can restore this bike with the correct pedals and grips, then just clean it up and add new tubes and tires. I love the old patina on the steel frame. Thanks everyone.

10 Comments

Submitted by bikedenis on Mon, 07/15/2013 - 19:31.

Welcome here bikelady :)

Submitted by Dave Brown on Mon, 07/15/2013 - 20:28.

 The Cleveland is around 1918 or before. The number shows up in the 1918 CCM Bicycle Accesories Catalogue. Would have had wood rims from new. Improved Hercules Coaster Brake with no brake arm . Hope this helps.

Submitted by T-Mar on Tue, 07/16/2013 - 06:45.

Welcome to the forum. The presence of 'Toronto" on the headbadge, as opposed to Weston" should make it pre-1917. It appears to thave a Triplex crankset which would not be original. I can't tell you the exact year, but based on the model number, it is probably from the period immediately prior to 1917.

Submitted by Dave Brown on Tue, 07/16/2013 - 07:31.

I would say it has the correct crank hanger.Clevelands 1916 and older Model 436 used CCM hanger .This would be the type that is in a cage as i would call it. The 2 bolts on the bottom braket tighten the crank cage up.I have had several Clevelands over the years that had this crank hanger. Funny how the word patina came into fashion we use to call it rust.

Submitted by bikelady on Tue, 07/16/2013 - 11:52.

I've had family members and neighbours over to see this rusty old Cleveland and they don't know why I would even buy a bike that is so old and worn out. It always seems to be that "beauty is in the eye of the beholder". Can anyone tell me where to start looking for the proper handlebar grips and pedals? Are the rolled edged fenders the correct ones? Thank you for your help thus far in figuring out the year, etc.

Submitted by Dave Brown on Tue, 07/16/2013 - 15:48.

Yes the fenders are correct for the bike . Look on Ebay for cork or leather wrapped grips which it would have had.If they are good they will not be cheap. Correct pedals are hard to find but you never know what might turn up.

Submitted by portdalhousie on Thu, 07/18/2013 - 05:50.

Hi,

The CCM plant was based in Weston Ontario, beginning in 1917, and the headbadges would reflect this.  The earlier badges list Toronto or Toronto Junction as the location. 

Ron Miller reproduces great Beehive style grips that appear in early catalogues.  I ordered a pair and they are excellent! There were also leather sewn grips with nickle parts available during this period, as aftermarket items. 

If you search "1918 CCM" online you will find pdfs of an early CCM catalogue. There are a few other catalogues out there, including a c. 1900 Toronto bike shop one,  that can give you guidance in finding correct pedals, seats, and other items. 

The handlbars and bright metal should be plated with nickel, not chromed, as would have been the case by the late 1930s or early 1940s. 

You may find that the holes or slots for the wheel axles are smaller than more modern bikes.  You can obtain wooden rims, and 28 inch wheels in various widths and colours should be no problem.

Good luck, and I hope this helps! --David Webb

Submitted by Ron Miller on Fri, 07/19/2013 - 11:40.

Bikelady      More information re dating your Cleveland.

I spent a bit of time going through my early Catalogues and Bicycle Brochures.   The catalogues were mainly parts and accessories until 1916.   Then they added bicycles with Model numbers.   From 1900 on there were Brochures or Catalogues for each of the CCM brand names:  Cleveland, Massey Harris, Brantford, Gendron, Welland Vale, Etc.  Some of these Brochures were dated but many were not.  I suspect they were given out to prospective buyers at bike shops and shows.   The catalogues were for bike shops only.

I have brochures for 1913 & 14. They are not dated but with some careful cross refference I am quite sure of their dates.   Your Cleveland Model 436 appears in the !914 issue.  I would call it 1914 but it could be 1915 also as they did not necessarily change the numbers every year and I have no information for 1915.   Hope this is helpful.

Ron

Submitted by portdalhousie on Mon, 08/12/2013 - 08:09.

Hi,  Please keep up up to date on the restoration.  Also, if you ever  decide to part with this bicycle, I for one would be very interested in it!  --David dwebb16@cogeco.ca

Submitted by Pat on Wed, 11/12/2014 - 11:00.

Hello Bikelady ... Great to hear someone has also found a mate with the same Cleveland Head Badge with Toronto, Ontario on it. I found your old post on the internet. I just recently joined and posted the same Bicycle trying to find Info & value on her! How the restoration coming?

What info & value did you find for yours?

Thanks

Pat