1939 Elgin

[COB]

I have a 1939 Elgin that I acquired from the son of the 88 year old original owner. The bike is a true survivor and I do not want to do a full restoration on it, but rather preserve it as close to original as possible. I am wanting to get some opinions from the experts on just how far I should go with cleaning this bike up and your best methods for doing so. I do not want to do anything to mess this bike up. Thanks.

 

[Freqman1]

As you may, or may not know, it is an Elgin Twin 40. A fairly desirable bike but the damage to the head shroud is unfortunate as these are difficult/expensive to find. Regarding cleanup I would tear the bike down completely and clean/service all bearings and the hubs. WD40 and 0000 steel wool on all painted and chrome parts followed by a chrome polish on the plated parts and a high quality wax on the painted parts. V/r Shawn

 

[RJWess]

Its a Twin 40 my favorite of the Twin models. I would start by taking off that basket.

 

[COB]

Thanks for your input Shawn. Yes, it is a shame about the shroud. I keep looking at the bent-down lip on the right side of it. I am tempted to try to straighten it up but am not sure that is a good idea. I am afraid it might break off due to the type of material that it appears to be made of. Any thoughts on that?

 

[COB]

The basket will be coming off. I suspect that was what damaged the shroud to begin with.

 

[Talewinds]

SUPER awesome old bike! Heartbreaking about that head shroud

 

[Freqman1]

Thanks for your input Shawn. Yes, it is a shame about the shroud. I keep looking at the bent-down lip on the right side of it. I am tempted to try to straighten it up but am not sure that is a good idea. I am afraid it might break off due to the type of material that it appears to be made of. Any thoughts on that?

You may want to try to slowly bend it back up with a really large pair of channel locks with a rag around that piece. By chance do you have the piece missing from the right side? If you have all the pieces you may be able to JB Weld/epoxy it back together. Otherwise trying to find an original shroud will be a challenge. These might be reproduced in a resin material which may be an affordable alternative until an original can be found. V/r Shawn

 

[COB]

Unfortunately, I do not have the missing piece.

 

[Freqman1]

Unfortunately, I do not have the missing piece.

You may want to try Ebay seller cindi_vette for a repo head shroud. V/r Shawn

 

[COB]

Ok, thanks for the tip!