Westfield Sports Roadster

My latest project is a 1947 Westfield Sports Roadster bicycle. This yet another example of an American company trying to build a version of the English-style light roadster for American riders. We see similar offerings from Schwinn, Cleveland Welding/Roadmaster, and a host of other American companies who tried to capitalize on getting American adults to bicycle. Westfield/Columbia offered both Sports Tourist and Sports Roadster models.











The Sports Roadster, which is this bicycle, offered a diamond frame, English-style fender paint scheme, gothic/Columbia-style fenders, and laid back frame geometry somewhere between an English roadster and a balloon tire cruiser.









The dropouts are styled after the American cruisers of the era, but the seat stays bolt to the seat mast similar to a Raleigh DL-1 or an English roadster. Wheels are 26 x 1.375 (ISO 599), which is an American version of the English light roadster style wheel. 










This should be a nice project for summer, and a fun bike once cleaned up and back on the road.

 The rear wheel features a coaster brake.This particular bicycle also has a period correct addition of a Philco center pivot caliper in front. These brakes were popular aftermarket brakes during that era, and gave you added stopping power.

Enjoy Good Weather When You Have It

This time of year in Virginia gives rise to lots of different weather. The start of this week involved summer heat around 90, with lots of humidity. Today was a pleasant 75 and breezy. Tomorrow will be 55 and rainy.

That means it's time to take the good weather days in hand and take every chance to ride. You never know when you'll get rain, and the oppressive heat and humidity of summer are just around the bend.

Today was a chance to take out the Columbia Three Star Deluxe for the first time in awhile.

Spring Slowly Returns- Schwinn New World

Slowly but surely, the warmer weather is returning to Virginia. We broke 60 last weekend, and broke 60 again yesterday. Today is in the 50's, though this week is supposed to be chillier. Nevertheless, recent rains have washed away the road salts, and the weather is warm enough for some fun riding.







This past couple of weeks, I have been riding the 1940 New World. You may recall, this was the bike I bought as a core, then built up some nice wheels and put some nice parts onto it. The bike is very agile and, with its aluminum rims, quite light for a 75 year old, steel bicycle.

This bicycle also varies from my 1947 New World. The 1947 has "flat" type touring bars and a lower stem. This 1940 New World has a tall stem with a set of 1940s-era Wald bars that have a little more rise and pullback to them.










This New World rides a lot like a Raleigh Sports because everything in the cockpit is closer together than otherwise would be, considering the slack frame. I like that.









As a side note- I spent a substantial part of the winter after New Years rebuilding some guitars/basses/amplifiers. They are not the topic of this web log, but still something interesting.