Mead crusader info & serial # help

[Mikeob]

I just purchased this bad boy, looking to find out more info on it. Hard to see the serial # , looks like R18866 and below that it reads 26 by itself. My question is i was told that this was a 1916 Mead Crusader (has badge)but im thinking 1926. Also any help maybe what the R tells me. Thank you , im a newbie.

 

[Archie Sturmer]

The serial numbers stamping pattern like a Great Western Mfg. built bicycle.
I have only seen such latter alphabet letters on the CABE.

Is the Fauber crankset (identified in another more recent post) of the threaded 45mm type? I have seen more standard bottom bracket crank hangers on later bikes.

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thecabe.com

I think I found where the bike came from.

Mead serial numbers? | Antique Bicycles Pre-1933

Anyone have info on Mead serial numbers? Finally found additional numbers on the bottom bracket of my recent buy. It's R13866 over a larger stamped 26. Any info appreciated.

thecabe.com

The forged crown forks look peculiar, although I have seen similar Mead forks, but of the ribbed design; (pre-ribbed?).

 

[Cooper S.]

Lmao I owned that one

 

[Mikeob]

I dont know much about meads but i really enjoy this bicycle, turned out to be my daily.

 

[Cooper S.]

How’s it look now?

I dont know much about meads but i really enjoy this bicycle, turned out to be my daily.

 

[Mikeob]

I believe i messed up by having it painted, but here it is when i was putting it back together. I will take a current pic when im back in town.

 

[Cooper S.]

That paint job is bitchin, I was considering repainting it when I had it. Did you manage to figure out the bottom bracket?

I believe i messed up by having it painted, but here it is when i was putting it back together. I will take a current pic when im back in town.

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[Mikeob]

That stupid bottom bracket, i got it working but the crankarm comes really close to the frame , it almost looks like it needs a dogleg crank.

 

[Archie Sturmer]

Sometimes a thin (or just thinner) washer under the right side bearing cone may do the trick.
I believe that one or two AN960-1416L (steel 7/8" x 0.032" thin) washers help sometimes.
Otherwise, I have also swapped-out for what I thought were deeper bearing cups, or shorter bearing cones.
Sometimes the washers that may be provided with replacement bottom bracket bearing kits are too thick.

I have also once found an old bike with smaller 1/4" bearing balls instead of the more typical 5/16".

 

[Cooper S.]

A replacement crankset just popped up on eBay, the cones might be less destroyed than yours