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Ok Elgin experts, Lets see you explain this one!

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bikewhorder

Riding a '38 Autocycle Deluxe
So about a month ago I was mining for bikes on Craigslist when I found a listing for this bike for sale:

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At first glace I thought it was a Westfield built Oriole but the more I looked the more I realized that this was a new one for me. I contacted the seller and he sent me some more pics that only further confused me. So I decided to take the plunge and buy this rusty heap mostly because I was just really curious about it and I have something of an obsession for these Orioles type frames. The logistics of getting it were a bit of a nightmare because the seller was not a bike guy and the shop we enlisted to help pack it were pretty prickly to deal with. But overall I was not disappointed with my purchase and I immediately set about stripping the frame of everything that was bolted to it which involved a lot penetrating lube, mapp gas and gently applied brute force. The seat post was the hardest part to get out and I need to fabricate a wedge type clamp for it like a stem because the design does not really work to hold the seat post in place. Anyway I'll quit babbling, here's some pics of how it turned out after a through mechanical rehab.

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Its a monark made elgin oriole, the lugged frame and pastel chainring give it away. Awesome bike I've never seen a monark made one before but i can tell a monark made frame when i see it.

Nick.

Yeah That's what I figured too but I've never seen one like this before either. The cranks take a Schwinn thread bottom bracket which I thought was odd but I guess the cranks could have been changed at some point. I also thought it was odd that the sprocket is drilled for a pie plate.
 
This project inspired me to finish my Murray built Oriole that I begged a fellow Caber to sell me a few years ago. I got it as a bare frame and fork. I got the fenders at Copake last spring. They are not technically correct but the patina match is amazing. This is the most comfortable rider in my stable by far, so spacious!

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And then I couldn't resist a group shot.

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+1 for Monark built. Elgin motoballooners turn up from time to time with Monark construction but I've never seen an Oriole either. Fascinating!
 
I love this bike! Never knew Monark made a version. Bought my Westfield version 20 yrs ago for 33$. Been looking for a Murray built one for more than ten years. Now I gotta look for a Monark version???? Really like how mine rides. Wonder how the wheelbase of the Monark one compares to the other two. The Monark frame looks a little more curved and taller than the Westfield. Of the three I think the Westfield looks the most graceful with the Murray in the middle and the Monark somewhat awkward looking. But I still like/want all three.

Wish Phil M. would add anything he knows about Monark Orioles. Does anyone know which Elgins Monark made versions of? I've seen moto bikes and some girls bikes. Is there an unknown Monark twin bar out there?
 
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