1945 BFG DX

[GTs58]

So I've been wondering why all the first postwar Schwinns were said to be 1946 models and nobody has ever posted a 1945 piece, even though Schwinn produced 98,185 units in 1945. Most all were retail pieces. So here is what I believe to be a retail 1945 BFG DX. Serial F80640

Black out nipples?

Stand tube welded on a 25/30 degree angle

First attempt of Electro Forging the chain stays.

Here's the serial number.

 

[GTs58]

@Freqman1 picked up this one a while back that also has the F serial with 5 digits. I can't see the details but it might also be an early pre postwar piece.

 

[GTs58]

Thanks to @Hastings great detail shots of his DX, I'd like to add it here for reference. Another early pre postwar piece with one of those serial numbers that has been said to be mis-stamped and then classified as a 1946 model. This one is earlier than a 1946 build but it meets all the criteria for a 46 plus it has a few other details that a 1946 and later models don't have. These details are the early EF'd chain stay joints tight against the BB shell along with the kickstand tube being on a 25/30 degree angle. The postwar 46 and later models had the stand tube on a 45 degree angle and the EF joints progressively moved further out from the BB shell. Another 1945 DX displaying another step in the evolution of Schwinn's ongoing electro-forged frame building.

Here's a later model (46-47) for comparison.

Schwinn dx year? | All Things Schwinn

Hello, long time reader, first time poster. First of all thank you! The amount of information on this site is outstanding! I’m just trying to nail down what year this dx is? Ive learned here that it’s post war and pre ‘52 as well as “h” could have been used in ‘51 or ‘45/6? Bike has black out...

thecabe.com

 

[Jimmy V]

I caught this post and thought that my bike might fit in here. I presumed it to be a 46. I wasn’t aware that Schwinn made many, or any bikes in 45. The rear wheel has a blackout ND hub. The front wheel looks to be from a later bike. I picked this up earlier this year at a flea market. It was marketed as a garden bike. It had a wood box screwed into the seat post. I put a seat on it and was riding it that evening. There is blue paint through the haze of rust. It should clean up pretty well. Winter project.

 

[GTs58]

Thank you for posting your example @Jimmy V ! This is getting to be a real fun research subject! Looks like your stays are actually pushed into the BB shell and then fused with the shell actually dimpling it inward. Crazy, and this is the second one I've seen like that! Plus yours has a B series serial number and the stand tube is at the lesser angle. I just came across a B serial "1946" piece that had the stand tube on the 45 degree angle a few minutes ago. With all the examples that I've looked at over the last three days using the angle of the stand tubes as a reference along with the welds, the serial number range includes F-H-A-B and C. And some of the A - B - C serials I've come across have the stand tube on the 45 degree angle. Since the BB shells are pre-stamped with the serial numbers prior to being used in building a frame, I'm beginning to think there might be something more going on here throwing a wrench in the dating of these first post war pieces.

Here's a B serial where the stand tube is at the 45 and the stay welds are not jammed tight at the BB shell. From what I've seen so far, I'm getting the idea that the B-C serials were possibly used in two or maybe even three different years. Yours is B79891 and the one below is B86137.

 

[rollfaster]

Not sure where this one falls in..

 

[BFGforme]

I to have a '45 DX that I'll post some pictures when I can get to it, I sent some pics to @Junkman Bob maybe he still has them!

 

[Jimmy V]

@GTs58 thanks for your reply and for your research on these. It's always fun to learn about these bikes and to try to solve the often mysterious histories of how things were done. Based on your research and thoughts about the assembly process (stays in relation to the BB shell and stand tube angle) and the blackout hub I'm inclined to presume it's a '45.
I hope to clean it up over the winter, service, good tires, and ride it. I'll post progress pictures as I make progress...
I'll look forward to other's posts and follow this thread to learn and see what other similar bikes are out there!

 

[Junkman Bob]

I to have a '45 DX that I'll post some pictures when I can get to it, I sent some pics to @Junkman Bob maybe he still has them!

I had to clean out my phone due too storage issue … I do remember it had the less extreme angled stand tube … Sorry I couldn’t be more help on this one
Bob

 

[GTs58]

Here's one that was sold here. It has the tubular stay fender bridge, lesser angle stand, chain stay welds tight to the BB and a raised AS seat post clamp bolt. Serial number C49757. So the 1946 tubular fender bridge is said to be rare? A carry over detail from the prewar models? Is that another indication this is earlier than 1946?

More pictures in John's FS listing.

Sold - 48 Schwinn Dx badged Cavalier | Archive (sold or withdrawn)

For sale is a very nice 48 schwinn dx badged cavalier. Morrow skiptooth hub, nice painted drop centers and sweetheart chainring. Red paint was polished before I got it and has a real nice shine to it. Fenders have very few scratches on them and are very nice. Been all gone through, greased and...

thecabe.com