New Project: 1948 or 49 Schwinn New World

 This new project is a 1948 or 49 Schwinn New World. I suspect it is a 1949 bicycle, based on the very late 1948 Sturmey Archer medium ratio AM hub. Seller's photo:

New World bike E55712 is a standard men's frame, dark red example. It looks to be in the 1948-49 date range. It has:

Electro-forged bottom bracket shell
Standard pitch drive train
One piece crank
Mesinger Slide rail saddle (the balloon style one)
Standard type post-war fender braces
Front and rear hand brakes - "Schwinn Built" calipers with Schwinn type levers
Dunlop EA1 / 26 x 1-1/4 stainless rims
British-style wing nut front hub
December 1948 Sturmey Archer AM medium ratio 3-speed hub
Galvanized spokes
Hockey stick chain guard
Chain guard has the brake cable housing loop for the Schinn unisex rear brake routing
standard New World round head badge

This is the first New World I've found with British clubman style wheels. I thought they were 1960s replacements originally, but then I noticed the 1948 AM medium ratio hub and the old-style Dunlop stainless rim imprints. The wing nut front hub is another odd addition. So perhaps someone special ordered a somewhat sportier New World. Kind of strange to stick to the one-piece crank with all that though. 

The bike also has the best preserved set of Uniroyal chain treads I've ever seen on a 3 speed bike. They were nice tires, but nylon cord, so probably somewhat after the bike was made.

My first evening of work on the bike was to start disassembly for cleaning and repairs. My first repair was to straighten prepare the front brake caliper for rust removal. 

I also made the unfortunate discovery that the stem has a hairline crack starting at the shank, down where the stem is hidden when installed. I will replace it with an original 1940s Wald "knuckle" stem.

So the process begins... I originally was just looking for a dark red companion for my black 1947 New World, but I think I stumbled onto something a little more unique, what with the British clubman style wheels and the medium ratio AM hub. I'm looking forward to this one.

Nice Day for a Ride - 1958 Raleigh Sports

 

 Today started cool and rainy, but shaped up into a beautiful day. It made it all the way up to 70 and there was plenty of sun in the afternoon. It was a fine day for a ride on my 1958 Raleigh Sports four speed.

 

1960s Schwinn Racer

 

Today was nicer and warmer than the past couple of days. I took a ride on my 1960s Schwinn Racer. I need to start thinking about whether to downsize another bike or two this season. Ideally, I'd like to be down to just the handful of bikes I ride most of the time... something to consider, I guess.

Arnold, Schwinn & Co. Three-Piece Cranks

 

 

 

I spent some time this weekend cleaning up these Schwinn 3-piece cranks. These cranks were used both before and after WWII on some of the mid-range and premium Schwinn 3-speed models. They are attractive pieces, though they take 1/2 inch pedal spindles, which makes finding high-quality pedals a bit tricky to find. I like the MKS 3000S 1/2 spindle pedals on these cranks.

These examples show the range of conditions in which one finds these pieces. Although both sets seem to have pretty low mileage, based on the condition of the teeth, the cosmetic condition of one set is pretty worn, while the other is quite clean. Neither is perfect, but they show up in quite a range of conditions.

The methods for addressing the surface rust on the better piece vary from what one would use on the rough set. 

On the nice one (on the right), WD40 and a metal hand brush work just fine. The rust is not especially deep and is not terribly widespread. Keeping the plating in decent shape is a major concern.

The rough one (on the left) needed a tougher treatment. This meant a wire wheel on the bench grinder, wire wheel on a drill press, and a Dremel with wire wheel for the hard-to-reach areas. This is a doable course because there is so little plating left on most of these areas. The chainring, where there still is some plating, was no subjected to the high-speed wire wheel on the bench grinder. I started that area with the drill press wheel and then worked to the Dremel.

They're both interesting and unusual pieces for some classic Schwinn bikes.

Raleigh Export Model Roadster

 A few pictures from this evening's ride on the 1962 Raleigh Export Model Roadster. I'm a big fan of the color, and it's just different enough from the typical 1970s-era DL-1 you see in the USA. I love my 1978 DL-1 certainly, but this Export Model is just something a little unique.

Spring Ride - 1950 Schwinn Superior

 

Here are a few pictures of a typical spring ride on the attractive 1950 Schwinn Superior. The color really comes out in the sun. It's still chilly, but gradually warming. The days are getting longer as well, also a good thing.

Above are a few deer trying to hide in a stand of trees.

Schwinn Traveler - Early Season Rides

 

I will admit that as much as I enjoy riding, I'm not a huge fan of conditions in March and early April here. It tends to be somewhat chilly, but the wind is the worst. I still prefer riding to other forms of exercise, but we're not yet into that sweet spot in May where it's warm and calm, but not too hot.

 

The shakedown period on the Schwinn Traveler is coming to a close. I adjusted the brakes a bit and tightened the headset a little. The rear wheel bearings might benefit from just the slightest tightening, but they're pretty good still. Anyway, I like to get a solid couple weeks of riding on a bike to get all the little adjustments nailed down - things you don't see or feel until you really start to ride.

 

I'm looking forward to other bikes getting back on the road this season now, and to hopefully some warmer and less windy weather. But it's good to be back on the road.