Nickinator
Riding my '38 Deluxe Bluebird
Did a search and didn't see any specific or detailed threads on this yet, tho I know it's been parced here and there in various threads, would be nice to have all the info in one thread. I just picked up another '54/55 Vette, and what I thought were anomalies or swapped parts have appeared on all 3 of the first year Vettes I've found, so maybe that's how they came. Would love others to chime in on their observations, especially Gary @GTs58
1. Bars- the bars appear to be lightweight bars, 18" vs the later years' 22'. Also have "pinched" bends. Similar (or the same) as early 50's Conti bars.
2. Pedals- look like those on the early lightweight Racers, waffle block style not the screw-type bow pedals of the later 55-58+, also what seems to be shown on the Schwinn ads.
3. Seat? One-year-only, and such hen's teeth I've never had one, but seen two, one was posted on CABE- the brown balloon tire style beehive spring seat (not to be confused with the brown or red lighter weight 1955/56 seat).
4. Front rack- '54/55 extends out further across the top of fender, don't have the msmts as all the bikes I've had were missing the rack.
5. Seat clamp ~ old style ballooner heavy cast clamp with the 1/2 circle AS bolt. Tho have seen this style clamp on a few as late as '56.
54 stamped SA 3 speed hub.
S/N on this one is L87327 = 8/7-8/8/54
Any other differences I missed?
Lets keep this thread on point for the first gen Vettes, 54/55-58. Pics welcome!
Darcie
View attachment 394538
1. Bars- the bars appear to be lightweight bars, 18" vs the later years' 22'. Also have "pinched" bends. Similar (or the same) as early 50's Conti bars.
2. Pedals- look like those on the early lightweight Racers, waffle block style not the screw-type bow pedals of the later 55-58+, also what seems to be shown on the Schwinn ads.
3. Seat? One-year-only, and such hen's teeth I've never had one, but seen two, one was posted on CABE- the brown balloon tire style beehive spring seat (not to be confused with the brown or red lighter weight 1955/56 seat).
4. Front rack- '54/55 extends out further across the top of fender, don't have the msmts as all the bikes I've had were missing the rack.
5. Seat clamp ~ old style ballooner heavy cast clamp with the 1/2 circle AS bolt. Tho have seen this style clamp on a few as late as '56.
54 stamped SA 3 speed hub.
S/N on this one is L87327 = 8/7-8/8/54
Any other differences I missed?
Lets keep this thread on point for the first gen Vettes, 54/55-58. Pics welcome!
Darcie
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