`50's Monark pedal reflector inserts?

[eagle123]

Where can replacement "reflector inserts" be gotten for 1950's pedals such as the below pictured factory Monark pedals? (These pedals came off of an early `50's Super Deluxe and say "Monark" on the metal side bands.) I've seen these same reflector inserts used on other `50's pedals of other manufacturers as well. Needless to say, these reflector inserts are almost always broken or missing, I'm hoping that someone is reproducing these. Any leads as to where such reflector inserts can be obtained, either original or repro? Thank you!

 

[oldfart36]

If you have any old/warn bicycle mud flaps, some of the reflectors used in those work great.

 

[byke!punk]

The Cabe’s eBay store has them for Magna pedals - possibly same size?

Pardon Our Interruption...

 

[eagle123]

Thanks for the suggestions, guys!

I just ordered the Cabe Magna pedal round replacement reflectors, will report back once I receive. It would be amazing if these fit the Monark and other postwar pedals. Again, thank you!

 

[acg_schwinn]

I just ordered the Cabe Magna pedal round replacement reflectors, will report back once I receive. It would be amazing if these fit the Monark and other postwar pedals. Again, thank you!

I would be optimistic. Hardware manufacturers using reflectors in their finished products generally relied on subcontractors who specialized in the very precise molding work needed to produce them. If I remember right, some of the Wald reflector lenses appear to be the same as those from Bright Star/Gulco, especially the Stimsonite lenses (which pop up everywhere, especially their oval-shaped lenses used on various designs of rear fender reflectors).

 

[eagle123]

Very interesting, thank you!

Speaking of those Stimsonite oval-shaped reflectors that were used in various OEM rear fender reflectors... these I believe are the "Stimsonite #15". If I'm correct, they appear in certain unique OEM rear fender reflector housings used on 1950's J.C. Higgins, Monarks, X-53s / Fleetlines and also Columbias... maybe others, too (?).

Is there a source for reproductions of this oval Stimsonite #15? I see there are old repros of chrome Columbia rear fender reflector units available that contain a pair of these repro #15 reflectors, but is there a source for just the reflectors only, without having to obtain the entire chrome Columbia reflector housing? It seems the repro Columbia rear reflector housings are fairly cheap now anyway, so not really a problem in any case, but just wondering.

Thank you!

 

[acg_schwinn]

Speaking of those Stimsonite oval-shaped reflectors that were used in various OEM rear fender reflectors... these I believe are the "Stimsonite #15". If I'm correct, they appear in certain unique OEM rear fender reflector housings used on 1950's J.C. Higgins, Monarks, X-53s / Fleetlines and also Columbias... maybe others, too (?).

Is there a source for reproductions of this oval Stimsonite #15? I see there are old repros of chrome Columbia rear fender reflector units available that contain a pair of these repro #15 reflectors, but is there a source for just the reflectors only, without having to obtain the entire chrome Columbia reflector housing? It seems the repro Columbia rear reflector housings are fairly cheap now anyway, so not really a problem in any case, but just wondering.

I'm not too familiar with the other bike brands of that era, but yes, I have seen that distinctive flat-sided-oval shape of reflector all over the place and in all kinds of installations. I have a chrome rear fender housing holding one of these lenses in the center, similar to what those Columbia units you describe do with two.

I even have an old military portable blinker light (just a big round amber lens in a waterproof steel battery case) that includes a couple of these Stimsonite lenses installed one on each side for extra side visibility. I'm not aware of anyone making reproductions, but it could happen. (Okay, if those are repro #15s in the repro Columbia housings then I guess it has already happened... ) Keep checking the swap meets too.

 

[eagle123]

The Cabe’s eBay store has them for Magna pedals - possibly same size?

Pardon Our Interruption...

Success!!! Thank you so much for the suggestion!

Yes, the CABE eBay store "round replacement reflectors for Magna pedals" do fit the assorted postwar pedals by Monark, Murray and likely others!!!

These repro replacement reflectors are a bit "thinner" than the originals (at least with respect to the Monark / Murray pedals), so once installed, they tend to move around a bit and rattle, but this is easily fixed with a small shim of some type.

I haven't yet figured out a good way to shim, will post once I have. At the moment I'm thinking of trying a piece (or a few pieces) of thin, clear plastic, cut to the same size circle as the reflector, placed behind the reflector. Or possibly a thin o-ring, roughly the same size as the outer diameter of the reflector.

The below pics show an original reflector insert from a 1950's Murray pedal (on left) and the "round replacement reflector for Magna pedals", sold at the CABE eBay store (on right).

While these repro reflectors aren't dead-on perfect duplicates, they are close enough and are a very quick, easy, inexpensive way to get your original postwar Monark or Murray pedals looking like new again (assuming your original reflector inserts are broken or missing, which most are).

NEW Magna pedal round replacement reflectors / CABE eBay Store

 

[acg_schwinn]

Looks great! I would definitely say that the reproduction was based on the same lens, judging from the shape and arrangement of the prisms. A thin O-ring would be a perfect choice (if it will fit), as it will also help to keep moisture from getting into whatever bearing is at the end of the pedal shaft behind the reflector.

 

[eagle123]

Another note about shims for this application...

It seems that the "shiny" metal plate behind the somewhat transparent reflector insert is a part of the reflector design, so an o-ring sitting around the outer edge of the reflector would indeed be ideal, as it does not obscure the backing plate.

Or if need be, a clear, transparent, round "shim" could be used, as long as it allows the metal backing plate to shine through.

You just wouldn't want to use a non-transparent shim that would cover up the metal backing plate, unless perhaps the shim itself was of a "shiny" metal appearance, like maybe some type of foil material.

For the heck of it, I tried doubling up two of these reflector inserts and fitting between the pedal plates, but this wound up being too thick. A single reflector will not need much shimming.

Final note, while these repro reflector inserts do seem slightly less thick than the originals, it could be the bent up condition of my pedal plates that is causing the reflectors to fit loosely.