Shelby Big Tank Differences

[Freqman1]

I just posted this as a response to a thread but thought it may deserve a stand-alone thread for reference. The Shelby "big tank" Airflo models were built between 1938 and 1941. The early bikes were normally full deluxe bikes with all the bells and whistles. While Shelby had model numbers for these collectors have developed their own names in some cases such as "No-Nose" and "Speedline".

The Speedline was the top-of-the-line deluxe model. The No-Nose was a lesser model and typically not as well equipped as the top tier bikes. Notice the tank does not extend past the head tube hence the "No-Nose" designation. The Arrow was a bike built by Shelby but sold through Gambles Department stores and typically was lesser equipped than the Speedline.

While almost all No-Nose and Arrows I run across feature the 'streamline' handle bars most, if not all, of these left the factory with steerhorn bars. Even some Speedlines were originally equipped with steerhorn bars. Same goes for the seat. The Lobdell horizontal spring seat was used on the earlier Speedlines while the No-Nose and Arrow typically had Troxel long spring seats. As time went on the deluxe features on all bikes diminished with lower level guards, racks, seats, fenders/braces, and lack of electrical accessories. V/r Shawn

Speedline

No-Nose

Arrow

 

[cyclingday]

And then there were, what I've been calling, the 1940/41 Surplus models.
These were typically all equipped and painted the same, and could have had either a Snub Nose or Long Nose tank and either a straight or curved down tube frame, with no preference to which way they were equipped.
Most had the Shelby Supreme badge, but that was not definite.
So far, I have not seen one of these models with a No Nose tank.

Most of these models were equipped like this one.
Some of the later ones had the Shelby Flightline type chainguard, which looks pretty cool!

 

[Kickstand3]

So Shawn the later ones , had the bel-air style racks


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

 

[Freqman1]

Here are a couple pages from the '39 catalog. The Model 52 (No-Nose) says the headlight is "Self-contained, polished aluminum, torpedo shaped." This would indicate no light switch. As I stated before I don't believe any No-Nose ever had a light switch on the tank. Re: the 'biscuit' lights I believe this is a >'40 feature as I don't see any of these in pre '40 literature. My initial three paragraphs on this were very broad generalizations. A monogrpah could be written just on the big tank bikes. Shelby used a lot of suppliers and along with promotional models you will find a lot of variety in these bikes. Unfortunately so many of them have been 'collectorized' that it confuses a lot of collectors as to what is original on these bikes. The other page here shows a few of the different parts used on Shelbys (not necessarily just big tanks). V/r Shawn

 

[saladshooter]

Here are a couple pages from the '39 catalog. The Model 52 (No-Nose) says the headlight is "Self-contained, polished aluminum, torpedo shaped." This would indicate no light switch. As I stated before I don't believe any No-Nose ever had a light switch on the tank. Re: the 'biscuit' lights I believe this is a >'40 feature as I don't see any of these in pre '40 literature. My initial three paragraphs on this were very broad generalizations. A monogrpah could be written just on the big tank bikes. Shelby used a lot of suppliers and along with promotional models you will find a lot of variety in these bikes. Unfortunately so many of them have been 'collectorized' that it confuses a lot of collectors as to what is original on these bikes. The other page here shows a few of the different parts used on Shelbys (not necessarily just big tanks). V/r Shawn

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Sweet parts detail pic Shawn! Any more you can share? Is there an associated legend?

Thanks
Chad

 

[Freqman1]

Hey Chad I'd have to dig back through my stuff. Like I said this subject is worthy of a monograph but I already have two in the oven right now. There are probably a couple of others well more qualified than me to write this anyway. V/r Shawn

 

[JRE]

Anyone have a catalog for a 40 or 41 I'd like to see how a lower end model with a Bannana tank would be equipped. I picked up a project with no tank .q

 

[Freqman1]

Anyone have a catalog for a 40 or 41 I'd like to see how a lower end model with a Bannana tank would be equipped. I picked up a project with no tank .q

View attachment 841953

View attachment 841954

This thread is dealing only with the big tanks bikes. May want to start a separate thread for your bike. V/r Shawn

 

[kccomet]

good info Shawn. here is my arrow which is a later bike or a surplus bike which Marty talks about in above post

 

[Freqman1]

good info Shawn. here is my arrow which is a later bike or a surplus bike which Marty talks about in above postView attachment 842145

Thanks Jim--love those hub caps. V/r Shawn