1939 or 1940 Flyte

Submitted by Jenson on Sun, 08/21/2016 - 13:54

Hi, 

First off I would like say what a fantastic site this is, the knowledge and passion that some of you guys have is inspiring.

I know that I am new this site and i'm sure you get plenty of newbs wanting advice with out deserving it. How am I diferent?

Because I am a good person who cares, and I'll be honest and straight forward with no B.S.

The history of a bike and it's owners are interesting to many and very important some. So here is my story. 

My wife and I enjoy going to estate sales, were not collectors or re-sellers, we like the exploration of a good sale. I predominatly am after tools and my wife perfume, hand bags etc. But generally we just buy, house hold consumeables, washing powder, cleaning products, towles for rags etc. About 2-3 years ago on a friday night about midnight I was looking at the following days, estate sales online and came across a picture of this bike. I have ridden bikes all my life mostly on road now (colnago crystal steel frame campag daytona groupo still mint condition) but I had never seen the likes of the flyte.

For those who dont know estates sale usually work like this. First person at the door when the sale starts gets entry into the house first. Which usually means you can claim any one item.

So with out searching for info on this bike I tell my were going to an estate sale now grab the dog i'll explain on the way. Being the great sport she is, she is in the car before me. So here we are outside this house at 1am waiting.  

Continues in the first comment below. The top photo of the green bike I have no idea where that came from i have never seen it in my life. 

19 Comments

Submitted by Jenson on Sun, 08/21/2016 - 17:29.

Hi, being new to this site I thought the save button would allow me to continue later without posting. I stand corrected.

I believe it to be all original except for the leather on the seat which I shaped from Bull's hide and the tires. If I am wrong please correct me.

My intention is to sell but at what price? I am aware getting an unbiased answer maybe difficult, but I ask anyways.

What's it worth?

Thank you

If you want to hear the rest of the story just ask.

I live in Toronto

ccm.jpg ccmbjpg.jpg ccmf.jpg

Submitted by Dave Brown on Sun, 08/21/2016 - 17:57.

Hi Jenson

Nice find. I don't think fenders are original to bike, rear should be longer. Bars  also even though they are really neat also stem. Just my take from what I can see, i might be wrong.

Submitted by bleedingfingers on Sun, 08/21/2016 - 18:45.

+ 1 on the bars and stem  don't know about the fenders but paint seems to match 

rear fender mount is twisted or bent so might just be a little distorted .

pedal rubber is missing from a t least 1 pedal as well .

but beutiful bike  though  good score .

Submitted by gtflyte on Sun, 08/21/2016 - 22:40.

Hello Jenson 

Your Flyte seems to resemble a 1940 not a 1939 The seat post clamp is part of the frame not the separate  type like a 1936 to 1939 flytes.The fenders have been changed.It does has proper Red stripe WO rims and plus being a 1940 would make it more desirable Thanks for the story and sharing pictures ,very nice original paint frame 

good luck with your sale

Greg

 

Submitted by John on Tue, 08/23/2016 - 20:37.

Would you trade for this bike? I have a new old stock Raleigh Tourist rod  brake roadster or........

Contact Ken at flyte3640@cogeco.ca 

Submitted by gtflyte on Wed, 08/24/2016 - 02:37.

What year Raleigh?Ken

 

image.jpeg

Submitted by bicyclecollector on Wed, 08/24/2016 - 05:53.

PM me, interested in the bikes Jenson

 

Submitted by Frederick on Wed, 08/24/2016 - 18:39.

I'll take the Flyte, how does 1000 sound?

Submitted by bicyclecollector on Wed, 08/24/2016 - 18:42.

if it's indeed a 1939, i will offer $1200

Submitted by Frederick on Wed, 08/24/2016 - 22:03.

It's a 1940.

My offer still stands.

Thank you for considering it.

Submitted by bicyclecollector on Thu, 08/25/2016 - 10:09.

seat clamp is 1940 style

but if serial number is XCXXXX

than my offer will stand

Submitted by John on Thu, 08/25/2016 - 15:59.

Great find Jensen! Obviously very desirable. Welcome to the Forum.

John

Submitted by Jenson on Tue, 08/30/2016 - 00:35.

My apologies to all for being absent, I do acknowledge how rude it must look my posting this topic only to go M.I.A.  I took an unexpected trip up to the James Bay area Quebec side. It is very remote no internet, or cell phone coverage, and 381km from one gas station to another. 

Thank you everyone for their input.

To answer some questions.

First off the serial #  

Ill have to post pics but it seems to look like XXCXXX which does not corrospond to the usual sequence however the letter is a definate C and hence why I stated 1939.

 Fenders

By basing the fenders from pictures on ccmflyte.com I would agree that the rear fender looks a little short and the supports have a more verticle orientation. However, the fenders have the same paint and pinstriping as the frame which is original and therefore I have to believe the fenders to be original and the difference is due to a production varience? 

Pedals 

I have installed new rubbers.

Offers

Based on the condition and price tag of the flytes that have sold on this forum, i will have to decline. I thank you none the less for your offers. 

Thank you all again for your input, and please accept my apologies for posting and going MIA.

Submitted by bikedenis on Tue, 08/30/2016 - 08:00.

$1200 for a few pieces of pipe welded together is already high priced.Even mor if the bikes don't have all their original parts. Of course, this is my own opinion . This is what some members here will offer you except me who never pay a price like this for a used bike even vintage..In other words, you want to sell ... But actually the highest bidder . This is what i can see anyway .Don't get me wrong Jensen , I give my opinion as all the other members here :) . Have a great day.

Submitted by jdwillia on Tue, 08/30/2016 - 08:52.

While many people dream of finding original bikes in good original condition, especially a Flyte, I agree with those who say that the rear fender is not original. If you look carefully at the rear fender stays, you can see that they have been bent to clear the rear wheel adjusters. CCM never would have done this. Also, there is no rear reflector. I am not sure why CCM would resort to using a standard length rear fender unless, for some reason, they had run out of the proper Flyte fenders. This is hard to believe considering that original Flytes produced after this one have the longer rear fender. If the original rear fender was damaged and replaced, it wold be very easy to find another pinstriped blue fender to use in a pinch. As already noted, the handlebars and stem are not original. The seat also may not be original.

John Williamson

Submitted by Jenson on Wed, 08/31/2016 - 11:16.

Thank you John Williamson.

I "saw" the bend in the fender stays but Icoud not "see" the relevance. Yes your theory is more much plausible then my (i wish i could edit my comment) theory.

Submitted by P. Rossi on Fri, 09/02/2016 - 07:47.

Hi Jenson,

Great bike you've come across and I enjoyed the story.

I'm interested in buying... my offer is $1400.

Please let me know.

Regards.

Submitted by bicyclecollector on Sat, 09/03/2016 - 06:56.

hi Jenson

if it's a XXCXXX

I will offer you $1500 for the bike

Submitted by portdalhousie on Mon, 09/12/2016 - 17:52.

Hi,  I am also interested in this bike. I agree that the rear fender is not the right type.  Please email me if it is still available.  Thanks!  David dwebb16@cogeco.ca