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Sunshine
I have a Sunshine that was brought in for restoration. The stem is facing backwards. It was purchased used by an 8 yr old in 1958. Would turning the stem 180 degrees be done to decrease the reach for smaller riders? Was this common and is it safe. Althought the owner is not eight anymore, she recalls the biccyle fitting perfectly. I'll need to assess fit later, but wanted to know if this set-up alther the saftey or riding characteristics.
Also there are no fork trusses on this bicycle, However there is a bracket of sorts attached to the stem, Can anyone recognise it. Was it used for a light/reflector (?), to anchor trusses that were removed or was it for some other purpose?
I have read the information on Sunshine Bicycle found on this forum and have some good pictures of the bicycle from the web to go by although all any other information would be appreciated. I have yet to find the serial number.
Oh I may be looking for a front fender for this one. The original is pretty harsh and missing a set of stays
Thanks and take care, Daryl
Thanks and take care, Daryl
The bracket is a truss bracket and is identical to what you'll find on an early Schwinn withoutr the Schinn name stamped in the stem nut cuntact area. But the rods are different. Schwinn are tapered to a larger diameter going down the tube. Sunshine is the same diameter down it's full length.
I looked closely at the front fender and I can't see holes for a second fender stay. Not all balloon bikes had 2 sets of stays on the front fender from what I recall. I'll look at my bikes when I get home. That fender could be straightened out with a fender roller.
Walter
Hi Daryl. Here is the same bike as the one you're restoring, but with original paint, pinstripes, grips, pedals and Dominion Royal Master tires. I picked it up at the Brantford show last weekend. I put on the saddle, which is close to the original, and the license plate. It's called a Balloon Tire De Luxe. The serial number is located on the top of the seat tube, below the saddle. If it's close to zero it's early production (1946 and later?), and if it's close to 40,000 or greater, it's late production (up to 1953). Mine is half-way, at 20,000 something. It has a New Departure front hub and Bendix hub brake. (I will ask John to help post the photo).
Thanks for the replies everyone!
Thanks for confirming the bracket is in fact a truss bracket. Although impossible to see, the front stay rivets are there (as is the stay bridge on the underside of the fender).
A fender roller!? I would like to know more. Is this a shop tool or something that can be made. The fender is in pretty bad shape but I may need to repair as best I can.
Thanks for the directions to the serial number. Mine is 005182, so likely very late production. Thanks for the picture too. Since the owner wants upgrades, I won't be aiming to get it back to something close to original but I may try to keep the original paint scheme. This one was repainted a uniform dark blue. When I removed the headbadge, the white stem was revealed. The main colour was a maroon red. This one also has a New Departure front hub, but I haven't looked at the back yet.
More questions:
I noticed that the fork looks bent! The steerer and the fork blades are not in alingment. However the wheel seeems to site properly and have ample clearance from the downtube. In the photo you included, the fork blades also seem to be at an angle to the steerer. Any thoughts?
I also have a very stuck seat post. Anyone have a best kept secret for getting them unstuck. I tried a propane torch but, not luck. I may not have good the metal hot enough.
Any thoughts on the arrangment of the stem (facing backwards) in the original picture? Was this done for smaller riders. The reach also looks long compared to the other I have seen of this vintage. Most others seem to have the bar clamp almost directly at the top of the stem.
Thanks again and take care,
Daryl
Google "bicycle fender roller" and you'll see what I mean.There more coumon in the U.S. because of all the balloon bikes. i think it would be hard to find one this side of the boarder. You could use an english wheel but it's more work.
Google "DIY straighten a bike fork" and you'll see a tool used to fix your fork. Ask local shops to find someone to fix it.
If you have time I'd put kerosene on the seat tube daily for a number of days to let it work down the tube. Then heat it the best you can to swell the outer tube and work it back and forth with as much force as possible. I had a very back stuck seat tube that I fixed with an acetylene torch, pipe wrench and penetrating oil. It was so bad I had to lay the frame on the floor and strand on it to work the tube out.
Yes the stem was turned around to accommodate a younger rider. The stem doesn't look to be the original one by the serial number. Later bikes can be found with a stem similar to yours on girls bikes. Most girls bikes doen't have any reach on the stem.
Walter
Thanks Walter!
The solution to the stuck seat post is very helpful. I will give it a go. I also heard the a 50:50 mix of transmission fluid and acetone works wonders as a penetrating oil.
I'll check online for the tools you mention and call around. I'll need to think about what to do in the case of the stem, since the rider is now much older than when she first bought the bike.
Take care, Daryl
Just an update. I was able to get the seat post free by taking it to a friends automotive shop and carefully applying an acetylene tourch and PB Blaster. We quenched the post several times and then finally by putting it in a vice and turning the frame it came lose!
It is a 22/22.2 mm which I think is now used only on some BMX bikes. I'll have a look at some kids bikes also to see how they compare.
Cheers!
Daryl
Your right with 22.2 mm. I refer to the post as being 7/8". They were built before we used metric sizes.
Walter
Thanks!
Then 7/8" it is. I will have to pack my calipers when I go looking for one.
Cheers, Daryl