elginkid
Finally riding a big boys bike
I just purchased a 1936 Mead Crusader (Obviously a Westfield build) from a fellow enthusiast, but I’m trying to do a little digging to put some pieces together. I really wanted it because of the tall frame, it makes it much easier to ride.
I’ve not ever seen this paint pattern on this early of a Westfield which left me wondering if it’s a later repaint. I’ve also never seen blue paint for a Mead Cycle Co. bicycle this early.
The rear fender seems to have holes for a Delta Defender, with one extra off center hole. The front fender has a hole near the front end of the fender, but lacks holes either for a Silver Ray or Hornlight, which I think would’ve been standard equipment on something built for Mead.
I know the chainguard isn’t correct, because I just bought it, it should be the solid version, but the paint matched nearly perfectly.
The wheels should be lobdell double drop centers, so I’m guessing this is a later wheelset from ‘38-‘39ish.
The rear carrier is for sure Westfield, but I don’t think correct for a Mead build. The tank is missing the support bar at the front, so if anyone has one they’d like to part with, let me know. But it has two holes, one has conduit, the other nothing, so I don’t know if there was a second outlet for wiring if it had a pancake horn/silver ray combination originally. It’s also possible that the tank/carrier were salvaged from another bike.
I’d love to hear thoughts on this bike, and what is/isn’t correct.
I’ve not ever seen this paint pattern on this early of a Westfield which left me wondering if it’s a later repaint. I’ve also never seen blue paint for a Mead Cycle Co. bicycle this early.
The rear fender seems to have holes for a Delta Defender, with one extra off center hole. The front fender has a hole near the front end of the fender, but lacks holes either for a Silver Ray or Hornlight, which I think would’ve been standard equipment on something built for Mead.
I know the chainguard isn’t correct, because I just bought it, it should be the solid version, but the paint matched nearly perfectly.
The wheels should be lobdell double drop centers, so I’m guessing this is a later wheelset from ‘38-‘39ish.
The rear carrier is for sure Westfield, but I don’t think correct for a Mead build. The tank is missing the support bar at the front, so if anyone has one they’d like to part with, let me know. But it has two holes, one has conduit, the other nothing, so I don’t know if there was a second outlet for wiring if it had a pancake horn/silver ray combination originally. It’s also possible that the tank/carrier were salvaged from another bike.
I’d love to hear thoughts on this bike, and what is/isn’t correct.
