Need help identifying 1952 schwinn model?

[Kevin Mac]

Hello,

I recently picked this bike up off Facebook. The guy said it was a 1954 B6, upon closer inspection the serial D31637 reveals it is a 1952, but doesn’t say which model. Is this a B6/autocycle or phantom? Because it seems to have similar paint designs and the same springer fork. I know the frame, fork and supposedly the bars are original. Not sure what else. My intentions are to get some S2 wheels which would be correct for this bike? And a original tank in crusty condition to match its looks if I can find one. Correct pedals would be nice too. Also want to remove the headlight and rear fender because not original?
Bike does ride nice though.

Thanks, Kev

 

[GTs58]

D serial on the bottom bracket is 40's.

 

[island schwinn]

Looks like a tapered kickstand?

 

[Kevin Mac]

Looks like a tapered kickstand?

Here’s a better photo of the kickstand

 

[GTs58]

1947-48 and could have been a B5 or B6. Tell tail signs of having a tank so most likely a B6. Could have been equipped with the brand new S-2's depending on the actual build time but I would guess it came with drop centers.

 

[Kevin Mac]

1947-48 and could have been a B5 or B6. Tell tail signs of having a tank so most likely a B6. Could have been equipped with the brand new S-2's depending on the actual build time but I would guess it came with drop centers.

Thanks for the information. Did the tanks stay the same through the years of the B6? Is it hard to find drop centers?

 

[Freqman1]

Post war tanks the same except Phantom were chrome. You would want a plain steel tank. Drop centers are easy--and cheaper than S2s most of the time. If you wanted to make it right you would also need a seat, fenders with fenderlight, pedals, rack, guard, and grips. By the time you did all this you could probably buy a decent B6. I'd just make this a cool rider. V/r Shawn

 

[island schwinn]

Post war tanks the same except Phantom were chrome. You would want a plain steel tank. Drop centers are easy--and cheaper than S2s most of the time. If you wanted to make it right you would also need a seat, fenders with fenderlight, pedals, rack, guard, and grips. By the time you did all this you could probably buy a decent B6. I'd just make this a cool rider. V/r Shawn

What he said.

 

[Rivnut]

If you look at catalogs for those years, you'll also notice that the chain ring is from a later bike. My 52 has a skip tooth chain and the Phantom style chain ring. PO could have swapped chain rings to use a single pitch chain with those fancy rims.

 

[Kevin Mac]

If you look at catalogs for those years, you'll also notice that the chain ring is from a later bike. My 52 has a skip tooth chain and the Phantom style chain ring. PO could have swapped chain rings to use a single pitch chain with those fancy rims.

Ok so if I wanted to change to the original wheels I would have to change that?