Date code on Airman

[NWIowa]

I just picked this up to hopefully make a town rider out of. I like the skiptooth design. Anyways new member.

It appears to be an Airman Deluxe. Not sure if it had tanks ever?

It’s rough. If I found correct info the date could be 1939?

I wonder how hard to find a proper chain guard for it.

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[fordmike65]

That's an early Shelby double bar ballooner. I'm thinking 35 or so. Nice find!

 

[fordmike65]

No tank available on this early model. Not sure what guard it may have had, but I'd say a holey guard would look right at home. I wonder when the Zep guard we see on many later Airman badged Shelbys was introduced? Also, Shelby serial numbers have not been deciphered as of yet. There is a list floating around that has since been proven incorrect time and time again. Best way to date a Shelby is by frame design, frame and fork characteristics, hub date codes and how they were originally equipped.

 

[NWIowa]

I won’t get to it over night but maybe the hubs will help then if they are original.

The rear drop outs have set screws to center rear wheel if that accounts for anything.

I’m sure the wheels will most likely need some spokes and trying after a clean and grease of the hubs.

It has been over sprayed with bad paint job for sure.

Thanks for the input so far.


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[JRE]

1935 Shelby built non wishbone frame design. 1936 they changed to the wishbone frame

 

[Archie Sturmer]

1935 Shelby built non wishbone frame design. 1936 they changed to the wishbone frame

Not a wishbone, does that mean earlier design and manufacture, maybe?
What does an M or N mean, newer or older?
NW Iowa, Souix river plain?

“Airman” may have been a Spiegel’s NY? catalog item.

 

[NWIowa]

Northwest Iowa is where I live. I


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Didn’t know if kick stand had any value for dating or if it is even correct

 

[JRE]

The two bars that go from the back wheel to the top of the seat tube. Non wishbone they end behind it and a wishbone they end in front of it. Ill post a picture of my 37 with the wishbone frame when I get home from work.

 

[NWIowa]

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[fordmike65]

As stated...it's about a '35 Shelby. Airman was the house badge for Speigel stores.