Looking for info on a 1938 CCM

Except for the rust, it doesn't look too bad. The real issue is getting the rust under control. I wouldn't cover it with anything until that is taken care of. The front fender must be a replacement.

Looks great. I wouldn't mind being the one who had to decide what to do with it.

Kevin

Well, it's obviously a Motorbike frame and according to both the 1938 consumer and dealer catalogues there was only one Motorbike model available that year., though it was available in the six premium brands. Consequently, I'd have to say that the one piece crankset is a replacement for the triplex. The 1926 hub should also be a replacement for the 37 hub. I think the front carrier is probably an aftermarket addition, as the fork truss is missing. The front fender is almost certainly a replacement. 

Having said that, the top tubes look too far apart and the head tubes too long for a 22"/20" frame. If it really is 22"/20", it looks more like a Balloon Motorbike frame. The rear fender also appear to be a balloon model. CCM didn't have a Balloon Motorbike catalogued in 1938 but it was catalogued in 1939. So, I guess the big question mark is the wheel size.

I measured the frame and the top tubes are at 20 and 22 inches from the bottom bracket, if that is how you measure it. The Crown Roadster has this same sprocket and the 1938 brochure states that the Roadster comes with a 22/20 frame but, there is no picture of it. The tires are 700 so, they look a bit undersized for the bike. It could be that all the parts you mention have been changed but, someone had also told me that CCM used to mix a lot of parts when assembling them based on inventory. I don't know if that is true or not. Could it be that the low serial number may mean they used some parts left over from 1937?

A 22"/20" frame measurement does not refer to 2 top tubes. It is used to indicate that the frame has a camelback top tube (i.e. one with a downwards bend in that back half of the tube). The larger of the two dimension indicates what the frame size would be if the top tube was a traditional, straight top tube. The smaller of the two figures is the actual resultant frame size due to the downward curve in the top tube. So what you have should be a 24"/22" frame, which explains the long head tube.

It's hard to imagine that CCM would substitute a single piece crankset in place of a Triplex due to parts availability. During this era, a Triplex was the sign of a CCM premium brand, while the single piece cranks were typically relegated to CCM's budget brands. The use of a hub that is one generation behind the current generation is another sign of CCM's budget brands. 

So, while it is configured like a Crown, there is still the issue of the CCM head badge and the absence of a Crown Motorbike in the catalogues. It's hard to tell in the picture, but it almost looks like there may be a screw holding on the headbadge. If so, the badge may not be original to the bicycle. This opens up the possibility of it having been a private label brand, though these would typically have used cottered cranks. 

There are several possible permutations to explain this bicycle but I think that it being a CCM Motorbike with budget level, factory installed parts is one of the least likely. To me, replacement parts are still a more likely scenario, though one can never be absolutely certain. 

Hi Roger. The term Roadster refers to a coaster-brake bike with a single top tube. There was a "Sport Roadster" that had a single top tube and a fork truss. The Motorbike had a double top tube and a fork truss.

Where are you located? Are you interested in selling it or trading it for another vintage bike? It has some parts on it that I could use. If you are determined to keep it and fix it up, I have some parts that you may need - wheels with hubs, fenders, etc.

T-Mar, what do you make of the rear fender on that bike? It doesn't have drop-sides (if that's the correct term), and looks like the fenders CCM used prior to 1920s. Could it be a pre-1920 fender? If not, where could it have come from? Is it likely non-CCM?  -Brian R.

Thank you T Mar, you certainly make a lot of sense. Yes, the headbadge is held on with two flathead screws. Thanks for the explanation on the frame. It certainly is making my decision to either preserve or restore the bike. Can you still purchase the 28x1 1\2 tires for this bike? It has old 700's on it and I know they aren't original. Should I put those big fat white balloon tires and make a rat rod out of this one? Had this bike been all, or mostly, original, I would have preserved it. However, since it appears this bike it a compilation of various CCM parts, I may just focus on making the bike look its best. That would include paint, pinstriping, etc. What do you think?

is it just me or the bike looks like a collection of parts?

front wheel looks 26", rear wheels looks 28" but both wheels seem to fit well in the fender space,

guessing wrong crank, wrong fork, wrong wheels, wrong fenders, wrong stem, wrong handlebars, hubs, seat ect.

what was the story when you got the bike?

seems like frame, pedals  and sprocket is good and also rack but missing the clip to hold it up

I swa this ad on Kijiji in Moncton. He had two bikes: this one and a 1971 CCM Grand Touring with a 3 speed Sturmey Archer rear hub. I bought both. The guy stated that both bikes belonged to his uncle who recently passed away. In looking at the 1938 brochure, you can tell the chainring is off a Crown or similar bike. It has CCM stamped on crank. The rear hub is stamped 1626 so, that has been changed as well. I think the handlebars are right for the bike but, as you say, there are a lot of parts that have been changed on this one and, that's OK. It means that this bike was used a lot. Even to the point where things needed to be changed. The frame has not been painted and the rear fender still has the pinstriping on it. There is a lot of rust that will need to be fixed up and I am pretty sure I am going to paint the whole thing and rat rod it. If it was original, I would have only preserved it with clearcoat and new tires, etc. The main thing with this bike is that I want to ride it.

The Grand Touring has the shifter on the handle bar and not the stick shifter other models have. It is in better shape than the 1938 but still needs a total rebuild. I need to find a seat for it however.

The reason the front wheel looks smaller is because I used my wide angle lens when taking the picture. They are both same size.

ohh, since I know nothing about photography, didn't know it could chage the size of a wheel, so it probably played with the shape of the handlebars also, so I might be wrong on the handlebars and front rims being not correct

but the rear fender is definately not 1938 CCM, unless the camera also removed all the rain gutter shape to it!!!

was the asking price high on Kijiji?, because personnally I would not put too much money on it, maybe tubes and 700 tires and ride it as-is (maybe a little cleaning job and grease

You're right, the fenders are different. The guy had both bikes (this one and a 1971 Grand Touring) for $100. I'm just happy I get to work on these bikes over the winter and ride them in the summer.

ohh man, can't go wrong at $100 for 2 bikes, great find IMO

i would tune it up without putting too much money into it and enjoy

Well, it is finally done. I completed the 1938 CCM rebuilt today. While this bike was no where original when I bought it, I think it came out pretty good. The hand pinstriping was the worst part and it is not perfect but, a good first attempt. I gold leafed the head badge and the rear reflector because they were pretty rough to start with. All new spokes and I stripped the wheels and painted them to match the frame. I did not put the rear rack back on it or the basket because I thought it took away from the look. Doesn't look like the same bike anymore.

Looks like a brand new bike ! Good choice to redo it.

Enjoy the ride !

you watching this too tall???? This is what your bike could look like.

Sooo buddy, nice job. how did you get the gold foil to stick to the head badge?

What is the paint name, the number and the brand. is it a very good match to the paint used on these bikes originally???

And as I said, nice job...

Lawrence, the gold foil kit comes with a glue that looks exactly likes Elmer's wood glue. After you apply the gold leaf, you rub it down with car wax then top it with clear enamel to seal it all up.

The paint is called Dark Red Toreado ( spelling?). You get this at Canadian Tire in the automotive section. These are spray cans. Then I topped it with clear high gloss enamel. The pinstriping is One-Shot paint applied with a pinstriping brush.

Bike look great.

Nicely done Roger. Looks fantastic.

Thanks Roger.I will look for it...

Nice job Roger, it looks great. I will look for that dark red colour. How many cans does it take to do one coat of the frame and fenders?

Bike looks awesome Rodger  are those little Big Ben tires  if they are where did you get them I had to order mine from 

Schwalbe  in the US. ?

Brian, if you're just doing the frame, I would say 2 cans. The paint really covers well over the primer sealer. Since I did the wheels, fender supports, etc. I think I bought 3 cans and it took all of it. Two cans of clear over that. The Ivory color only took 1 can.

Bleedingfingers. These tires are Continental Retro-Ride tires. They are $35 each at Mike's Bike shop in Moncton. They are a bit wide for the frame and fork and I had to true up the wheels really tight as there is less than 1/8 inch clearannce in total for this tire. A thinner tire would be better but I really liked the look of these and I am glad I could fit them in.

The one thing that really surprised me costwise were the spokes. I haven't bought spokes in decades and the $2 per spoke means that to re-spoke this bike costs about $200. No wonder most people only clean them up instead of a total rebuild.

Really nice job, Brian.  Would you email me at bmwchev@msn.com... I want to contact the collectors in the Maritimes in view of setting up a show/ swap.

burgundy and gold .... looks real good