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Very early CCM Rambler
I bought this Rambler this week. It looks to be a very early maybe 1910 or so. It has newer wheels and wrong chain. The frame has larger tubes than any bike I have seen.. The crank is a skip tooth CCM or Hercules style. The rear stays are D shaped. The bars could be correct. The seat is newer. The fork has a very early style to it. The headbadge is very unique looking. Does anyone know when CCM started making Rambler bikes. Would this be 1910 era or earlier. I tried posting pics last night but nothing showed up. I will try this again.
The oldest catalogue I have with a Rambler is 1941. They don't appear in my 1938 catalog or the other 1930s catalogue I've seen. However, I have to agree that the bicycle appears to pre-date 1938 by virtue of the frame features. I'm very weak on pre-war CCM, so don't know how much older it is, but it's my inderstanding that the Triplex crankset was introduced in 1920. If so, and it's OEM ot the bicycle, that would establish one end of the timeframe.
If the headbadge is original to the bike, then the frame would be 1899 to 1916. The HB is stamped Toronto. CCM moved to Weston in 1916/17, after which all the HBs, Massey, CCM, National, etc were stamped Weston.
IMO,the front fork appears to be American, very similar to the pre teens Western Wheel Works Crescents. Dave Brown may be able to clarify this.
The crankset in the hangar appears to be the same as used with the Flyer shown in 1928 & the "custom built professional built flyer" in the 1936 catalogues I have. That same chain ring was also used on teens and earlier CCM built bikes (Massey) with the Model "T " crank (precursor to the triplex).
The crankarms of the Model T and the standard Triplex crankarms are rounded , whereas the arms on these Flyers are flat, which, to my aging eyes, the ones in the pic appear to be. Its possible the complete crankset was changed or just the Flyer crankarms put on the Model T. Another possibility is the the arms are off one of the early 50s Club racers modified to fit, they are also flat with a channel in them.
What is the serial # & where is it located?
The serial number is 240681 and is on the left side judt under the seat on the downtube. The crank arms are fluted like the Flyer. I cannot say if the fork is original to the bike. The left crank arm has the pedal welded on. The right arm has the pedal threads coming out the backside and has worn through the bottom stay. The arm does not touch, just the pedal axle.
I have another CCM bike with the same crank arms. I got the bike after a guy sort of restored it. The crankset was re-nickeled and is in very nice shape. It has the fluted arms. He said the bike was found that way and originally came with these arms. I had 4 Flyer bikes and they did not have these arms.
http://s102.photobucket.com/albums/m104/oldy57/CCM%20Flyers/
From what is posted the bike frame is pre 1916 and could be as old as 1899. By the look of the fork, large tubes, and the D stays it is close to what I was thinking on age.
I bought the bike from a guy who saved it from the garbage. He said he got it from a guy who was throwing stuff out. He asked for it and kept it for years as a yard art.
The basket is different than any I have had. The down braces are removable and look like they were made that way. I have a few of these with braces that are part of the basket. Also the handlebar mounts are longer than the ones I have. This one has both clamps which are always gone.
Here is a pic of the other bikes crank.
http://s102.photobucket.com/albums/m104/oldy57/Rat%20Rod%20Bike/?action=view¤t=IMG-20120801-02059.jpg
Oldy57: Send me an email bmwchev@msn.com and I will send you scans from my catalogues
Hers are some pictures on my Massey Harris CCM Model 21. It has the seme frame and cranks as your Rambler. I believe this bike to be after 1905 and before 1910. I believe that the front forks on your bike are correct for your bike as I have another lady's bike that is made by CCM and has the same forks but no head badge.
Sorry about the previous post. Here is the link to my photos .. I hope.
http://s1280.photobucket.com/albums/a491/russell4419/
Me again This Massey bike has a large 27 tooth and 12 tooth rear sprocket. Bike is original paint and the box lining still shows. Great riding bike. I put on new wood rims from Italy, also brooks saddle and Massey Harris pedal rubbers, that Ron Miller makes.
PS thanks goes to my wife for her help with pictures again I am lost without her.
Thanks for the pics and info. It seems that by your info it could be before 1910. It was still a good find. I will see if I can find a set of wood rim wheelset for the bike. Anyone have a complete set for sale.
Hi
If your looking for wood rims check this out www.cbita.it i bought there rims 2 years ago, very satisfied. Mine are the( viaggio) style If you look in there gallery you will see a 1896 colunbia bike that was mine that has there rims on . Bike is in the UK now . Good used wood rims are getting hard to find and you will always have a problem getting tires to fit. I have been fooling around with wood rim bikes for about 20 years .All of me bikes have wood rims .I love the look and ride them .