Nashman
Riding a '38 Autocycle Deluxe
Good day,
I'm usually a pretty observant fellow, not a 100% purist, but like stuff to work and be correct. I bought a beautiful ( told 1938) Bluebird off some reputable members ( coming up 3 years this Sept.) for substantial $$ and ( this is crazy, I've owned a Twin Bar over 35 years, several other Elgins, worked on many) just noticed it has New Departure hubs on it!! Am I on glue or what? I was about to upgrade the Allstate tires and put the speedo basket on that I have not been motivated to install, ( or did the last owner obviously..lol) look closer and go WTF? I've often admired the bike/it's in the dining room now ( I have several nice bikes after collecting over 40 years) but obvioulsy wasn't connecting the dots.
Stupid question for an obviously stupid person. Surely all pre-war ( and some post war) top end Elgins came with finned "air cooled/usually grease nippled" front and rear hubs? Why would someone who spent serious $$ restoring a top end bike with incorrect hubs? I don't know who restored it, but that's no longer an issue. I'm not angry with the seller or the restorer, but want to make it correct if it's not.
Cabers, please confirm ( I'm 99% sure, but feeling not so swift lately) that the Elgin Bluebird came EXCLUSIVELY with finned front and rear hubs but what years if they did? Also, If incorrect, does anyone have excellent 36 hole serviced/restored hubs they would sell if I need.
I already found one rear from a Caber. I'm out of control here? Shawn has stepped up and saved me with seeing an A in the serial # making it a '36, so ND are correct I'm told.
I'm usually a pretty observant fellow, not a 100% purist, but like stuff to work and be correct. I bought a beautiful ( told 1938) Bluebird off some reputable members ( coming up 3 years this Sept.) for substantial $$ and ( this is crazy, I've owned a Twin Bar over 35 years, several other Elgins, worked on many) just noticed it has New Departure hubs on it!! Am I on glue or what? I was about to upgrade the Allstate tires and put the speedo basket on that I have not been motivated to install, ( or did the last owner obviously..lol) look closer and go WTF? I've often admired the bike/it's in the dining room now ( I have several nice bikes after collecting over 40 years) but obvioulsy wasn't connecting the dots.
Stupid question for an obviously stupid person. Surely all pre-war ( and some post war) top end Elgins came with finned "air cooled/usually grease nippled" front and rear hubs? Why would someone who spent serious $$ restoring a top end bike with incorrect hubs? I don't know who restored it, but that's no longer an issue. I'm not angry with the seller or the restorer, but want to make it correct if it's not.
Cabers, please confirm ( I'm 99% sure, but feeling not so swift lately) that the Elgin Bluebird came EXCLUSIVELY with finned front and rear hubs but what years if they did? Also, If incorrect, does anyone have excellent 36 hole serviced/restored hubs they would sell if I need.
I already found one rear from a Caber. I'm out of control here? Shawn has stepped up and saved me with seeing an A in the serial # making it a '36, so ND are correct I'm told.
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