Help with Pierce chainless shaft drive restoration questions

[Mickeymike]

Hi guys.

My dad has had this bike for many years. Was his great uncles and was in the barn back in Ohio. We think it's a 1890-1900 ish bike. Serial is 85410 any help dating it?

Also he said everything is original. Forks don't look correct. And bars as others I have seen on the web. He changed the wheels in the 1980's so he could ride it.

Brings me to my next question. Should I restore it? He said he painted it the green in the 70's. I took some acetone to it and it is bare metal underneath. He must have completely stripped it. No original paint or decals.

Plan:
buff polish original chrome.
Re-pop white tires
Clean up original wood rims and re spoke
Re-pop pedals? Style?
Re-pop grips? Style?
Powdercoat frame black and get Pierce deal.
I bought the missing emblem,....but it's the agnolia NY. I didn't know at the time.
Coat of polish out to mirror shine gear housing?


What are your thoughts guys?

Also my dad think this baby is uber rare. He thinks the only one alive is the one at the smithsonian. From what I've seen their are quite a few out there. What's this thing worth?

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[Freqman1]

I wouldn't call it rare and this one needs a lot of help. I'm going to guess about 1905ish. Many of the early Pierce did not have decals. There was no chrome on these bikes-nickel plated. Bars, pedals, stem, and maybe seat aren't right. Something going on with the headset as well. That's about as far as I'm going to go but I'm sure others will chime in. V/r Shawn

 

[Mickeymike]

Thx pal. Also wooden rims measure 25" in diameter, but all re-pop wheels seem to be 28 .? Do I have the wrong rims?


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[GiovanniLiCalsi]

Correct wooden rims, headset and fork.
It will be expensive to restore.
Stem and proper handlebars are around $150-500.00.
Rat trap pedals are $275.00.
Proper era saddle is $375.00.
2- Reproduction 28x1-1/2" tubular single tube tires $300-350.00.
1- Pint 3-M adhesive glue $6.00
72- Double-butted stainless steel spokes and nipples $100.00

 

[GiovanniLiCalsi]

Here is what we have so far......

Pierce serial numbers

55972 Special Man's c1898 - Collected by Dave Toppin
57365 Special Model 344 Chain driven cushion ( Flat Spring by Crank ) - Shawn - believed to be 1901/2….the cabe
60292 Racer Man’s - Collected by Dave Toppin
61758 ( stamped on Seat tube ) Tom ( Tommydale1950) The cabe
76088 Men’s Chainless - ( Jeff Powell ) Cushion frame, spring forks (no shackles), New Departure/P&F Corbin coaster brake, Christy saddleBadge: The Geo. N. Pierce Co., Buffalo
86133 Cushion Chain Driven - Thought to be 1901 ( Richard Smith )
87605 Cushion Shaft Drive ( Richard Smith )
96665 Ladies Chainless ( Jeff Powell ) Cushion frame, Spring forks w/shackles, Pierce New Departure coaster brake, Christy saddle
Badge: The Geo. N. Pierce Co., Buffalo
106877 Cushion Shaft Drive ( Richard Smith )
106877 Chainless Men’s - collected by David Toppin - Again not sure if he is referring to Richards bike
135320 Cushion Chain driven model - believed to be a 1903/4? ( Will Cress ) Stamped on Seat tube
135320 Chainless - collected by David Toppin…Not sure if he is referring to Will’s or if this is another Model?
152026 Chain Driven - LuxLow Stamped on Dropout
165302 Man's c1900 ….collected by David Toppin
165509 - Model 110 Special Racer ( Carey Williams ) stamped on dropout
165509 Special Racer Man’s ..Collected by David Toppin - not sure if he is referring to Carey’s bike
166682 Model 121. Pierce Cycle Co, Buffalo badge. ( dfa252 ) stamped on dropout
170381 Racer Badge is Pierce Cycle Co., Buffalo ( Jeff Powell )
180173 Chain driven , Pace bike with Lap bell - type 4 Buffalo badge ( Gary - Gkeep ) The cabe
185513 ( stamped on drop out ) Tom ( Tommydale1950) The cabe
256237 Pierce SBBR ( Carlitos ) considered to be a 1922 model

 

[Mickeymike]

I have a budget of about $1200 to restore this bike. Think it's doable ? What might it be worth when completed?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Freqman1]

Just gathering the correct parts may put you at that. Then there is nickel plating and paint-no powdercoat! I'm no expert on pricing these but I think by the time you finish there won't be much meat on the bone. Personally if I were looking to make the most money I'd just sell it like it is. V/r Shawn

 

[Mickeymike]

I want it restored before my dad gets to old and passes. He's 78 now


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Mickeymike]

I have a chromer / nickel plate or down in NC. I also have an auto body painter. But really basecoat clearcoat verse powdercoat?

I already polished out The forks handlebars rear shock seat post all to a mirror like finish. Original nickel was actually in really good shape. Would rather preserve that and have it redone?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Mickeymike]

Sorry guys for spelling errors I'm using talk to text on my iPhone


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk