1956 Deluxe Hornet

[JCGarrison]

Hi - Based on catalogs and the serial number, I think this is a 1956 Deluxe Hornet, missing tank, light, and back rack. I have owned it since about 1974 and I have put many many miles on it, but I haven't ridden it very much for last 20 years or so. I think I'm going to clean it up and fix it up so it rides good and try to keep the Deluxe Hornet vibe. Advice very much welcome.

 

[Adamtinkerer]

Sounds good, clean it up, don't repaint, new grease & tires, and ride! You could probably find the missing parts here, or on eBay. You have me beat by 6 years, I've owned my '57 Schwinn Corvette since 1980!

 

[GTs58]

Most likely a Hornet. But your serial was stamped in very late 1954 and then again in late Oct. 56. If it was the late 1954 stamping the bike would be a 1955 model, first year for that style spring fork. Not much difference between those years so parts should be the same.

 

[JCGarrison]

Here it is about $200 later! I discovered from reading here that patina is ok, straightened out some bent fender braces, got a matched set of Schwinn S2 Tubular wheels off of eBay, discovered that the 1" pitch 10-tooth sprocket wasn't what I needed, Boris kindly sent me a 1/2' pitch 20-tooth sprocket, I took some rust off, put some Alta Duro tires on, and washed and waxed the bike. I might look for a set of handlebars and grips in better shape, but the bike rides just fine now.

 

[Rivnut]

In 1956, the Deluxe Hornet was a balloon tire bike whereas the Hornet was a middleweight. By the looks of the tire clearances, to me it looks like a middleweight frame with S2 rims. The Deluxe would also have a tank and a rear rack as shown in the illustration. Springer forks were a dealer or factory option on middleweight bikes.

 

[GTs58]

Looks like a balloon frame to me. Also, that serial number was used in 1954! ....................... Along with 1956. The SN was used at least two years.

Since that SN was stamped late in 1954, the bike wearing that dropout could have been built in 1955.
1954
09/31 ------------------ N00001 ------------------ N06102

10/01 to 10/07 ------- N10603 ------------------ N22381
10/08 ------------------ N22382 ------------------ N24354
10/13 ------------------ N24355 ------------------ N26591
10/14 to 10/25 ------- N26592 ------------------ N43614
10/26 ------------------ N43615 ------------------ N44450
10/27 to 10/28 ------- N44451 ------------------ N57412

11/01 ------------------ N57413 ------------------ N71500
11/02 ------------------ N71501 ------------------ N75944
11/11 to 11/14 ------- N75945 ------------------ N84893
11/15 ------------------ N84894 ------------------ N99999

 

[coasterbrakejunkie1969]

patina is ok

Yes patina is more then OK. Nice job on the bike enjoy it.

 

[JCGarrison]

I was born in1954, so that would be cool! The fear fender has holes where I think the rack would have been mounted, the front fender has holes where the light would have gone.

 

[gkeep]

Great bike, plenty of well earned patina just like the rest of us from the 50s. Have a great time riding it!

 

[Rivnut]

I was born in1954, so that would be cool! The fear fender has holes where I think the rack would have been mounted, the front fender has holes where the light would have gone.

The rear rack would have bolted to the seat stays right behind the seat post and the braces would have bolted to the rear dropouts; no hole in the rear fender for a rack. Front fender, yes for the light.