Early Elgin tank bicycle

[Archie Sturmer]

what are the ECD letters on the tank about? i say make a rider out of it and rewire everything to get the lights working again.

Perhaps an electrical controls division at a factory and the manufacturer of the push or plunger electrical switches?
Or simply Elgin Cruiser Deluxe.

 

[ohmybike]

This Handelbar light is interesting. Handmade looks like

 

[gkeep]

Maybe that handpainted ECD is the original owners initials?

 

[Herman]

This might be a good candidate for an oxalic acid bath,it would get rid of the rust including what's inside the frame,unfortunatly it would probably remove a lot of the flaking paint because the paint is lifting because there is rust underneath the paint

 

[ohmybike]

Hopefully turns out good. 3 pounds of oxalic acid I think I needed more But let see how it turns out.

 

[Balloonoob]

Hopefully turns out good. 3 pounds of oxalic acid I think I needed more But let see how it turns out.

View attachment 1212539

I think you made the right call with the oa bath. Dish soap and a rag would have removed paint too. Maybe less but at least you will see what you are working with in terms of solid metal left and extent of repairs required. Looking forward to seeing the oa results when done.

 

[SKPC]

Silver or White with Orange if these are the colors you don't see often on these old rides.

 

[Archie Sturmer]

Is the silver color clean bright white steel or aluminum-silver paint? Some acids might work differently on metallic paints(?).

 

[bricycle]

Neat!
I had an Elgin, a Napoleon and 2 Chiefs.
Does the larger lamp glass say Elgin?
The Elgin (and Napoleon/Chief) did not come with a tank, but rather the buyer could buy as an accessory thru Sears. This tank fits all 3 and also the Mead Premier and maybe one other cycle. Very narrow (short) tank.
If you don't have the wheels, I may have steel clad woodies to fit her. I'm in 60118

 

[ohmybike]

Neat!
I had an Elgin, a Napoleon and 2 Chiefs.
Does the larger lamp glass say Elgin?
The Elgin (and Napoleon/Chief) did not come with a tank, but rather the buyer could buy as an accessory thru Sears. This tank fits all 3 and also the Mead Premier and maybe one other cycle. Very narrow (short) tank.
If you don't have the wheels, I may have steel clad woodies to fit her. I'm in 60118

thanks. I think I bought some from you before and yes I’ll be interested on wood clads with a ND C rear hub.