1939 DX Schwinn Ace (I think)

[J_Westy]

After just barely finishing my klunker tribute (http://www.retrobike.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?p=570569&highlight=#570569), I really wasn't looking for a project... moreover my wife wasn't looking for me to start another project

But you know how things go, and this thing popped up on CL. Misrepresented prewar finds haven't popped up the past year that I've been browsing CL, so I had to check it out :

I'm still a total freshman on such things, but the price was certainly right and it looked pretty good in his dark garage on a gloomy Michigan afternoon, so I grabbed it.!

So I got her home and checked her out. Obviously it's a mish mash of parts. I really don't know what everything is from. It'll probably make some of you cringe, but like the first klunker, I'll probably part it out (keeping the frame and head badge) in order to partially fund the next steps. The Cabe has always been good to me and I'm of the "pay it forward" mindset, so you guys are more than welcome to first dibs. (Hopefully, I'm not breaking a rule by throwing that out)

Appears to be the classic '39 DX style -- straight down tube and slightly curved mid tube. Top coat appears to be spray painted John Deere green followed by some black and white. Worn to bare metal in many places.

Serial Number B21178:

Miraculously the Ace badge is still there in in good shape!

Rear drop out to accomodate the (missing) drop stand:

 

[J_Westy]

Part 2 of 3

Chain guard appears to be original. Quite straight actually except for a slight tweak at the front mounting location:

Nice painted Sweetheart crank with (I'm assuming) newer bow pedals.

New Departure Model D rear hub. 36 hole. Unmarked painted rim about 1-5/8" wide:

Schwinn Scripted front hub. 36 hole. Unmarked painted rim just under 1-1/2" wide:

Springer front fork. Looks like there was some kind of repair to the left leg?

 

[J_Westy]

Part 3 of 3

Looks like some kind of repair at the head tube and down tube? Hopefully this is repairable to be strong and unnoticeable? What do you guys think? Do you know a trusted welder/brazer in the SE Michigan area?

J_Westy

 

[DonChristie]

Oh my!!! She is sweet!! The rear kickstand brackets (on frame) makes it a 1 year only frame, 1936, I believe. Replace pedals, seat and bars you got a winner. Let me know about the frame/forks if you part with them.

 

[J_Westy]

Oh my!!! She is sweet!! The rear kickstand brackets (on frame) makes it a 1 year only frame, 1936, I believe.

Thanks! I thought the slight curve to the middle tube (if that's what it's called) meant 1939?

The catalog pic from the trfindley pages that I attached above is from '39

 

[DonChristie]

Not sure we are talking about the same thing. I am referring to the tabs near the rear axle for the rear drop kickstand. What Middle tube is curved? I have heard reference to this.

 

[jaxschwinn]

Confused

I thought '39 was the first year for dx and they are easily identified by their straight down tube. However I am pretty sure they didn't use dropstand tabs on the frame but used a dropstand with built in ears.
Just my 2 cents.

 

[markivpedalpusher]

This is a 1939 frame with built in ears for the drop stand.

 

[DonChristie]

Thanks Mark! One year only? Was 39' the first year of the Dx?

 

[markivpedalpusher]

That would be correct 39 was the first year for the dx and the built in ears are 1 year only.