1950 Schwinn World

[SirMike1983]

This is a 1952 Traveler w/ locking fork (swapped bars, updated SA shifter and pedals). There is just a special sized caliper bolt that screws into that threaded hole. I don't have a locking fork accessible right now, so can't be of more help on sizing or specs. Also below is my 1952 World Varsity with locking fork (I have this in off site storage, so don't have it in hand right now).

The high flange rear hub would not ever be correct on a Traveler or World at the time, but could be correct if that were a New World. They were really pushing the three speed setup on those bikes at the time. The rim and hub are not correct (if a Traveler). To @SirMike1983's point, the New World and World Traveler were basically facsimiles of one another at that time, moving from the 40s to 50s and I have said it before but the New World essentially turned into the World Traveler. Trying to figure out if that is a late New World frame or an early World Traveler frame is difficult from pics. Also a lot of the hardware/components just rolled over from the New World to Traveler, so again hard to tell. I was going by the decal and other things. If you see any other decal remnants or pin stripes that could help.

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That black one is a knockout - really nice color scheme.

 

[49autocycledeluxe]

All great points. Got a couple questions like what kind of front brake should it have as there is no through hole for a brake because of the lock. And could the high flange rear hub be correct with a replacement rim?

I am not near my locking fork lightweight but there is unique hardware for these front brakes as the hole does go all the way through. I'll grab a photo when I get the chance, the bracket riveted to the fender itself is different as well.

this is an obvious repaint over maroon. you can see where they taped up the seat mast emblem and the maroon shows.

 

[SirMike1983]

I am not near my locking fork lightweight but there is unique hardware for these front brakes as the hole does go all the way through. I'll grab a photo when I get the chance, the bracket riveted to the fender itself is different as well.

this is an obvious repaint over maroon. you can see where they taped up the seat mast emblem and the maroon shows.

Given the way the black paint has chipped in that spot, it might be candidate to try to remove the paint. If it's just house paint or spray paint over original with no prep, it might be possible to strip back to the original red. Not a fun task, but some people are really good at it.

 

[rennfaron]

Given the way the black paint has chipped in that spot, it might be candidate to try to remove the paint. If it's just house paint or spray paint over original with no prep, it might be possible to strip back to the original red. Not a fun task, but some people are really good at it.

First things first, pull the head badge off to see if the original color is below.

@49autocycledeluxe good points. I didn't look at those details. And I noticed that the infill around the vertical lettering of the seat tube looks maroon. The decal was applied over the paint so the infill of color would have been the color of the bike, per all my examples shown. Zooming in some, it does look as if they masked around the seat tube decal to preserve it and that is why the interior color of the decal looks red/maroon...
Could just be a glare, but it looks another paint color...

 

[49autocycledeluxe]

so what we have here is a Traveler minus the 3 speed bits and missing a front brake or a freewheel bike with traveler fenders. interesting that the rear hoop is much later like the 60's by my guess where I don't think they used the freewheel that late.

I'd still like to see the knurling on the front rim.

 

[MantonSmith]

so what we have here is a Traveler minus the 3 speed bits and missing a front brake or a freewheel bike with traveler fenders. interesting that the rear hoop is much later like the 60's by my guess where I don't think they used the freewheel that late.

I'd still lie to see the knurling on the front rim.

 

[49autocycledeluxe]

here is a blurry photo of my 1950 wheels.... it is hard to tell but they are more of a checkerboard pattern, not sure when they changed them.

 

[rennfaron]

here is a blurry photo of my 1950 wheels.... it is hard to tell but they are more of a checkerboard pattern, not sure when they changed them.

Yep, that changed in the early-to-mid 50s. Here are mine from '50 and '52 and lastly '55 (respectively). The '55 matches the one on the bike.

 

[GTs58]

The serial number F360297 was stamped on 12/07/49- F357001- F360972 and the bike undoubtedly was built in 1950 if that helps in figuring out what it was. World as opposed to New World.

 

[Oilit]

A Traveler, and one of the very first in the line!