Looking for Information About a 1952 Schwinn Three Speed

[Nokton]

I just acquired the bike pictured here from an eBay auction. I likely paid too much, but I'm fascinated by these post-WWII Schwinn three speeds and this is the only one I've found for sale in multiple weeks of scouring the Internet for one It's a lot less than I've paid for things that aren't nearly as cool or useful...

At any rate, I'd appreciate knowing what model this is, if in fact it's a 1952 bike, and what the best way to go about rehabilitating it might be. I don't want a perfect bike when this is done, just a nice, presentable bike that I can ride from time to time. I'd be especially interested in how I can get a Brooks B66 on this bike. The seatpost is pretty narrow as is the narrower point on top where the seat clamp attaches.

Oh, yeah, I do have the front wheel and fender (and the handlebars, brake levers, seat post, and saddle), too, just no pictures of it. It's a "shark fin" fender, also in chrome or stainless steel, I'm not sure which.

Pictured afterward is my 1956 Hercules that is a companion to this bike.

Thanks in advance.

 

[SirMike1983]

I think you've done pretty well there. It looks to me like a 1952 Schwinn World Traveler. It has the old-style New World badge but the 1950s type paint and transfers. The condition is pretty good. The post-war Schwinn frames run a little larger than the corresponding English bikes, but are still in the same ballpark in terms of size. Your Hercules is of roughly the same era of post-war 3-speeds. You'll find they feel a little different when you ride based on differences in the frame geometry. Both should be pretty comfortable to ride when you're done with them.

 

[WillWork4Parts]

There's the 3sp, that paint is beautimus!
Definitely a 1952.

To get a brooks saddle on, it may take some searching for shims like these if they will fit your clamp...unlike the clamp on the right that has the extra filler in the bolt hole section. OR find a late model Schwinn rail type seat to steal the guts from. OR the easier task of buying a 13/16" post with taper up to 7/8".

OR tubular shims, like what came on my 60 Continental with Lycette touring saddle.

Many options here, sorry I don't have a factory example of a sports type seat on a traveler.

 

[SirMike1983]

For the seat posts, I like the ones Cr-Mo ones sold by Pork Chop BMX. They're a long, sturdy seat post that tapers up to 7/8 inch. Shims can work too, but I've found shims to be hit-or-miss. I have a shim on a 1947 New World that works great, and I've had other shims that seem to never tighten down all the way. I would go with a different seat post or a clamp swap before relying on a shim.

 

[J-wagon]

Wald seatpost 13/16 taper up 7/8 on Amazon around $11:
Wald 940-10 1/2 Seat Post 13/16 to 7/8-Inch X 10.5-Inch Steel https://a.co/d/aSwHQ28

 

[AS-1]

1952

 

[WillWork4Parts]

My blue Traveler has more than a few months on yours in terms of youth, Halloween of 52, was likely sold as a 53 year model.

Now I'm curious what hub and shifter yours has...?

 

[Nokton]

Now I'm curious what hub and shifter yours has...?

Here's a couple of photos.