33?? Schwinn Motorbike

[blakekennedy]

Hello everyone! New member here! I picked up this prewar (hopefully Schwinn) B 1 1/2 E a week ago. At least thats what I think it is. Looking through the serials for early A&S bikes, it seems to fall right around 1933, 4998XX. Although I am missing the last two numbers so that doesn’t help. So it keeps me stumped. Usually I don’t mess with prewar but it fell into my hands.

Also would like to know what is technically wrong or what I should be looking for. It has balloon tires. I believe by 33 all of these smaller frame bikes came with 26s? I know that the seat isn’t right, but right for a later prewar schwinn. The rear fender I believe is a girls, and probably a 28 inch judging by the mounting holes. Chain guard, crank, and stand I know are for sure wrong. Fork came from a girls bike. I do have the crank that supposedly came off this bike but its undated. Just want to know more of what I may have. Thanks!

 

[Wolfmac]

Nice find. These are neat little brothers to the B10 and aren’t often seen. I’ve been collecting parts to complete one for years. They were offered from 33-36 and began with chrome gutter style fenders and later, perhaps in 34 and definitely by 35, painted fenders. From the photos it appears you have the correct fork assembly which is very hard to find, the bars I couldn’t say for sure whether they are supposed to be flared Torrington’s or shim type. Your tank looks good although there were a few manufacturers of this design and therefore some subtle differences in the latch and the front nose construction but all that I’ve owned have been interchangeable. The rest of the parts have come from a variety of other bikes and don’t belong.

 

[blakekennedy]

Nice find. These are neat little brothers to the B10 and aren’t often seen. I’ve been collecting parts to complete one for years. They were offered from 33-36 and began with chrome gutter style fenders and later, perhaps in 34 and definitely by 35, painted fenders. From the photos it appears you have the correct fork assembly which is very hard to find, the bars I couldn’t say for sure whether they are supposed to be flared Torrington’s or shim type. Your tank looks good although there were a few manufacturers of this design and therefore some subtle differences in the latch and the front nose construction but all that I’ve owned have been interchangeable. The rest of the parts have come from a variety of other bikes and don’t belong.

Thank you for your insight! Definitely helps narrow down my search a little. Just glad to know theres at least some of the right stuff. I haven’t yet dissembled the bike to see what else might be right or not. Probably just going to get it riding and get some of the more common parts along the way.

 

[Wolfmac]

How about showing a picture of your serial number just to verify it’s pre 35. That will help pin down your options for reconstruction.

 

[Wolfmac]

The B 1 1/2 like the B 10 used a straight leg crank and no guard throughout the series. It’s unclear but I would assume the B1 1/2 used a 6 1/2” crank being a 16” frame built for juveniles whereas the B10 had a 7” crank arm.

 

[blakekennedy]

How about showing a picture of your serial number just to verify it’s pre 35. That will help pin down your options for reconstruction.

 

[blakekennedy]

The B 1 1/2 like the B 10 used a straight leg crank and no guard throughout the series. It’s unclear but I would assume the B1 1/2 used a 6 1/2” crank being a 16” frame built for juveniles whereas the B10 had a 7” crank arm.

Got it! Thank you. The other crank I have is a dogleg and measures 7. The one in the bike measures 6.5 but it doesn’t appear early as it doesn’t have those rounded eyelets.

 

[Wolfmac]

That looks like an early post war or fifties crank arm. Here is a 34 AS straight leg next to A 36 AS dog leg.

 

[Wolfmac]

And the profile shot of the straight leg.

 

[blakekennedy]

Awesome, thank you for the photos! I will definitely be on the lookout for the right crank!