1915 to 1919 Sears Chief - Documentation & Bike Thread

rustyspoke66 · Dec 11, 2013

I guess it would help to see more of them sell. Just comparing to other high end bikes and the prices they seem to not sell for. I have seen them sell in that range but unfortunately in parts. I would think there would be nicer ones out there for the price, start shopping around and spend my cash best possible.

Nickinator · Dec 11, 2013

looks to me the 3 speed hub is gone, the tire difference blackwall instead of whitewall. and I also think the rear sprocket looks to small for the 3 speed.

Nick.

dave the wave said:

rustyspoke66 · Jan 7, 2014

rustyspoke66 said:

This thing just showed up at my door today! The guy shipped from Michigan Friday via FedEx and it's here already! Crazy, you would think it was Jimmy John's delivering or somthin! Freaky fast! It's very rough but it's a start. I'll post more pictures later.

rustyspoke66 · Jan 9, 2014

Have a picture of it at home now. Looks like a few parts are shot, bars, cranks and the drive side chainstay. I can replace the chainstay and use the bars to build another set. There is not much more than a shadow of paint so it will need paint, a headbadge as well as some other stuff to make it a great rider. My vote is too rough to just clean up. It will need much less work than my van sitting behind it.

hoofhearted · Jan 10, 2014

rustyspoke66 ... do an in-house search for Chief Emblem ... started by fellow CABEr .. jtoliver ...

The badge he found with his metal detector looks like it was the actual badge that used to be on your Chief bicycle.

Now, if you have time or tolerance for an opinion ... and this is ONLY an opinion ...

>>>>> DIS-ASSEMBLE EVERYTHING THAT ADDS CHARACTER TO THE BIG PICTURE.

>>>>> STRAIGHTEN THE PORT TRUSS ROD. Holy Crap .. that is very distracting .. sorta like that mole on Sarah Jessica Parker's chin .. Aarrrrgh ...

>>>>> GENTLY MEDIA BLAST ( walnut shells ?) EVERYTHING TO REMOVE THE FLAKING and LOOSE CRUST.

>>>>> CLEAN WITH LACQUER THINNER.

>>>>> CONSIDER A CHEMICAL-OXIDATION PROCESS. ......... Dial-In the overall character by eliminating the bright rust ...

............ and enhancing a plum-brown patina ... via BIRCHWOOD CASEY -- Plum Brown Finish .. (google)

>>>>> SEAL IT UP WITH KRYLON MATTE SPRAY FINISH.

Enjoy Your Find As A Preserved Relic .. because that's what it aspires to be. ( Another one of those damn opinions ... )

................. patric

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ Have Used This Stuff For Years ...^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

Freqman1 · Jan 10, 2014

Looks like this thread would be a good candidate for an article? Also the Harley bikes would be a good topic as well. Just a thought! V/r Shawn

Nickinator · Jan 10, 2014

could We get a shot of the bars? wondering what the damage on them is.

Nick.

rustyspoke66 said:

hoofhearted · Jan 10, 2014

...................................

Balloontyre · Jan 10, 2014

rustyspoke66 said:

Looks like the undercoat is white on the fenders, can you post a closer pic please.

rustyspoke66 · Jan 10, 2014

Some great ideas for a rebuild. I haven't made up my mind on direction yet but if I could get a nice crusty badge like that it could sway me that direction. I will post some close up pictures later. The handlebars are rotted through and would likely brake off in your hands. I will also need to replace the chainstay on the drive side for the same rust issue. As far as the white on the fender it does look like a white undercoat but I will post more pictures.

rustyspoke66 · Jan 25, 2014

Finally got around to taking more pictures of the damage to the frame and the serial number. The handle bars are rotted through on the right side down into the first bend and the drive side chainstay will need to be replaced.

dmk441 · Apr 26, 2014

Sears Chief Update

I got around to putting the Sears Chief rider together. It looks a little more presentable then when I first got it. It still requires a few things needed to complete it, but should be a fun daily rider.

I would really like a Merkel bicycle frame instead and/or other Merkel/ Flying Merkel related items. So.... If anyone has one, I'd offer this up as an option or cash. Email me at dmk441@yahoo.com

If not it will still be fun to ride around on and look good in the back of the Model A truck.

Anyone have an idea of the year of this Chief based off of the frame style?

Thanks,
Dave

dave the wave · Apr 26, 2014

great job dave.serial num. is on the bottom of the crank hanger.or the bike is 1915-17.

dmk441 · Apr 26, 2014

Chief Serial numbers

Thank you Dave.

I believe there is a small 7 stamped in the middle on the bottom of the crank housing, and near the edge it is stamped 165863.

dave the wave · Apr 26, 2014

that would make it 1917.

dmk441 · Apr 26, 2014

Chief update

Cool! thank you.

mikecuda · Oct 29, 2014

Excellent info

I'm restoring a Chief and this info will help. Any idea on the paint color names pictured in the ad for my project.

rustyspoke66 · Dec 6, 2014

mikecuda said:

The catalog says Cherry Red and Ivory. I'm working on a color match from a original bike a friend has. Here are the 1919 specs.

rustyspoke66 · Dec 6, 2014

So My Chief showed up and now it's time to get busy. I uncovered more of the bottom bracket to find temporarily confusing numbers. After looking at it for a minute I noticed the upside down V with no other numbers besides the serial. Looks like its a 1915 and the fenders and badge line up with that as well. One more confusing thing after reading this thread is the rear hub. It looks as though there was never a shifter or pulley mounted to the frame and the New Departure Model A is laced up in the correct rim. So could this have been a one speed coaster model not mentioned in the catalog?

Sped Man · Jul 23, 2017

You are looking at a 1918 Sear's Chief. I picked it up a couple of weeks ago from a fellow CABER. Needed some work but now it rides smoothly. ATTACH=full]648805[/ATTACH]