That frame design was originally designated the Mustang X-16. That particular combination of colours and decals would place it 1970-1972. However, if the chainguard and coaster brake are original that would eliminate 1970, as edf was only available in the 3 speed model and it also had the X-16 designation on the chainguard for that year. The serial number will tell us the year of manufacture. As for the production lifespan, I can tell you it ran for at least 1970-1978, possibly longer.
Where are the serial numbers on these frames? This one has traces of at least two repaints under the current red, so I can't find any numbers. The bike is a 3 speed but doesn't have the shifter or brakes installed in this picture. I bought the bike last week and haven't done anything to it yet. I bought it from the guy who had it partially restored and he told me that the restoration started as a bare frame that he built up using some nos parts and a parted out cheetah. It was meant to resemble a '70-'72 model 3 speed, but I have no idea if the frame is actually from those years or not. He didn't know either. I was told that it had been repainted twice in it's lifetime before being restored. Once blue, and then dark green and supposedly the original color underneath was red. I'm missing all of the brake parts: calipers, cables and levers. If anyone could help locating these parts that would be great. Also, i'm looking for new decals.
With two repaints, you're definitely going to need the serial number to determine the age, Unfortunately, with that much paint on it, you may have to strip the frame to be able to find and read the serial number. The most likely location for the serial number is on the bottom, left hand side of the seat tube, about 1-3 inches above the bottom bracket shell. This was the typical location circa 1969-1977.
I put some thinner on a rag and wiped the paint off of the area where you said the number was, sure enough it was there. I don't care about the paint, because i'm going to completely redo the bike anyway. The paint is too soft and scrapes off easily. Anyway, the number is D8194032. I did a little research and I think it is either a '71 or '72. Is that correct?
In this particular case, it's definitely a 1972 model. So, those decals/stickers are period correct and you may want to try to save them. as they may be hard to come by. The chainguard may also be an incorrect replacement. I can't quite tell in your picture, but it looks as though it has the CCM logo where the letters arer contained within blocks? If so, that logo was introduced in 1973.
Yes, the letters are in blocks. I thought the x-16 designation was only for the Mustangs with a 16" front wheel? The ones that had this frame, not the marauder style. It has repro '70-'72 decals on it right now, not originals, and i'm going to try and get them copied before I strip the paint. I'll take some detailed shots of the bike and maybe you can tell me what is right and what isn't. Do you know where I could find brakes for this thing? I've went to a bike shop and tried a few sets of calipers on it and they're all too shot. The pads don't reach the rims. I'm thinking the originals were specific to these bikes, because of the slightly longer front forks.
Yes, you're right, the X-16 did use a 16" front wheel. What I was trying to say was, IIRC, this particular Mustang frame design first appeared on the X-16, even though it was also used on the other Mustangs.
I can't help much with the brakes, I don't recall the brand and model, nor do the old catalogues mention them or have pictures that are good enough to make a positive identification. However, I would think that it should be relatively easy to find a similar, compatible pair of BMX brakes. The critical dimension is the brake drop (i.e.the vertical distance from the centre of the brake mounting hole in the fork, to the centre of the rim sidewall). Once you know this, you should be able to go to a BMX catalogue and determine which brakes will work.
I'll help out all I can. If you're willing to post your e-mail, I'll send you a high resolution scan of the 1972 catalogue page. If you're hesitant about posting your e-mail, perhaps we could persuade John to act as an intermediary. Just be aware that, as of this Friday, I'll be away for a week (with no PC acess), so if you don't get a response from me during that period, I'm not ignoring you.
As promised, the scans have been sent. If you don't see them, check your quarrantine box, as they may have been detained by my unfamilar e-mail address or the file size. I trust they help.
I guess I didn't post the picture. Anyway, here it is:
[IMG]http://i166.photobucket.com/albums/u82/Aaron_F_photos/Miscellaneous/408947_336503519701788_1911380526_n.jpg[/IMG]
I can't answer but that bike looks awesome. Seems like it's screaming "Ride me!"
That frame design was originally designated the Mustang X-16. That particular combination of colours and decals would place it 1970-1972. However, if the chainguard and coaster brake are original that would eliminate 1970, as edf was only available in the 3 speed model and it also had the X-16 designation on the chainguard for that year. The serial number will tell us the year of manufacture. As for the production lifespan, I can tell you it ran for at least 1970-1978, possibly longer.
Where are the serial numbers on these frames? This one has traces of at least two repaints under the current red, so I can't find any numbers. The bike is a 3 speed but doesn't have the shifter or brakes installed in this picture. I bought the bike last week and haven't done anything to it yet. I bought it from the guy who had it partially restored and he told me that the restoration started as a bare frame that he built up using some nos parts and a parted out cheetah. It was meant to resemble a '70-'72 model 3 speed, but I have no idea if the frame is actually from those years or not. He didn't know either. I was told that it had been repainted twice in it's lifetime before being restored. Once blue, and then dark green and supposedly the original color underneath was red. I'm missing all of the brake parts: calipers, cables and levers. If anyone could help locating these parts that would be great. Also, i'm looking for new decals.
With two repaints, you're definitely going to need the serial number to determine the age, Unfortunately, with that much paint on it, you may have to strip the frame to be able to find and read the serial number. The most likely location for the serial number is on the bottom, left hand side of the seat tube, about 1-3 inches above the bottom bracket shell. This was the typical location circa 1969-1977.
I put some thinner on a rag and wiped the paint off of the area where you said the number was, sure enough it was there. I don't care about the paint, because i'm going to completely redo the bike anyway. The paint is too soft and scrapes off easily. Anyway, the number is D8194032. I did a little research and I think it is either a '71 or '72. Is that correct?
Forget about the "3", I hit that key by mistake. The number is just D819402.
In this particular case, it's definitely a 1972 model. So, those decals/stickers are period correct and you may want to try to save them. as they may be hard to come by. The chainguard may also be an incorrect replacement. I can't quite tell in your picture, but it looks as though it has the CCM logo where the letters arer contained within blocks? If so, that logo was introduced in 1973.
Yes, the letters are in blocks. I thought the x-16 designation was only for the Mustangs with a 16" front wheel? The ones that had this frame, not the marauder style. It has repro '70-'72 decals on it right now, not originals, and i'm going to try and get them copied before I strip the paint. I'll take some detailed shots of the bike and maybe you can tell me what is right and what isn't. Do you know where I could find brakes for this thing? I've went to a bike shop and tried a few sets of calipers on it and they're all too shot. The pads don't reach the rims. I'm thinking the originals were specific to these bikes, because of the slightly longer front forks.
Yes, you're right, the X-16 did use a 16" front wheel. What I was trying to say was, IIRC, this particular Mustang frame design first appeared on the X-16, even though it was also used on the other Mustangs.
I can't help much with the brakes, I don't recall the brand and model, nor do the old catalogues mention them or have pictures that are good enough to make a positive identification. However, I would think that it should be relatively easy to find a similar, compatible pair of BMX brakes. The critical dimension is the brake drop (i.e.the vertical distance from the centre of the brake mounting hole in the fork, to the centre of the rim sidewall). Once you know this, you should be able to go to a BMX catalogue and determine which brakes will work.
I'll help out all I can. If you're willing to post your e-mail, I'll send you a high resolution scan of the 1972 catalogue page. If you're hesitant about posting your e-mail, perhaps we could persuade John to act as an intermediary. Just be aware that, as of this Friday, I'll be away for a week (with no PC acess), so if you don't get a response from me during that period, I'm not ignoring you.
Happy to oblige in any way I can.
John
ac.furlotte@ns.sympatico.ca
As promised, the scans have been sent. If you don't see them, check your quarrantine box, as they may have been detained by my unfamilar e-mail address or the file size. I trust they help.
Thanks for the pictures!