TimothyNelson
Look Ma, No Hands!
Was sold to me as a 1957, just wondering if there is a actual way to determine whether it's one or the other? This is the data I have found.
Thanks!
Thanks!
Is there any actual way to differentiate between 1955 and 1957 racer, duplicate serial number used?
- Thread starter TimothyNelson
- Start date
Most Recent BUY IT NOW Items Listed on eBay
GTs58
I'm the Wiz, and nobody beats me!
Yah, they didn't make a Racer in early 1955. There should also be a date on the rear hub. Interesting stampings above the serial number. 5<>6
Looks like the rear chain guard mounting tab is short, and that was an earlier detail used up thru 1955, at least on the middleweights. Check the year date on the rear hub, may or may not be one of the early released Racers.
Looks like the rear chain guard mounting tab is short, and that was an earlier detail used up thru 1955, at least on the middleweights. Check the year date on the rear hub, may or may not be one of the early released Racers.
Last edited:
rennfaron
Wore out three sets of tires already!
Racers definitely came online toward the end of 1955. I have around 20 racer examples archived from 1955. The 1955 ones always turn up with a different downtube decal. Same one that pops up on various other models in the 50s, but was only time used on the racers. 1955 ad below.
The deluxe racer always had stainless fenders. The regular racer has painted ones. So two things are going on with this bike: 1) someone swapped out painted fenders for stainless ones (very easy to do and many have done that); 2) someone swapped out the chain guard from the Deluxe Racer one to the regular Racer one (which seems unlikely). There is also a difference in stem type I see on the Deluxe racer which is more consistent with the higher end lightweights and you would see on the traveler and middleweights. Yours has the lower end version. Other than that not really a good way to tell them apart as I have seen multiple speeds and brakes on both versions...
So back to your question, because of the decal not matching what is typical of '55 examples and it being an earlier '55 frame stamp serial, and the lower end stem, I would say it is not Deluxe and more likely a '57 with swapped out fenders.
Also, never seen that 5<>6 stamping...
The deluxe racer always had stainless fenders. The regular racer has painted ones. So two things are going on with this bike: 1) someone swapped out painted fenders for stainless ones (very easy to do and many have done that); 2) someone swapped out the chain guard from the Deluxe Racer one to the regular Racer one (which seems unlikely). There is also a difference in stem type I see on the Deluxe racer which is more consistent with the higher end lightweights and you would see on the traveler and middleweights. Yours has the lower end version. Other than that not really a good way to tell them apart as I have seen multiple speeds and brakes on both versions...
So back to your question, because of the decal not matching what is typical of '55 examples and it being an earlier '55 frame stamp serial, and the lower end stem, I would say it is not Deluxe and more likely a '57 with swapped out fenders.
Also, never seen that 5<>6 stamping...
49autocycledeluxe
Riding a '38 Autocycle Deluxe
I don't see any pics??
Adamtinkerer
Riding a '38 Autocycle Deluxe
Neither year would have a Mesinger "S" seat also.
GTs58
I'm the Wiz, and nobody beats me!
So @TimothyNelson never posted a picture of the rear hub date that would verify the year?
TimothyNelson
Look Ma, No Hands!
It's appearing to be a 1957 as advertised just curious!
Similar threads
