New to the CABE, my latest purchase Elgin 35’ Oriole?

[broadarrowmaint]

Greetings! Been a long time lurker, and only recently decided to join! Was blessed with a really neat pre war elgin probably from a fellow member!? Its a 1935 based on the serial number and BB number. I have plenty questions but the number one for me is did this originally have a head tube badge? There are no holes or evidence of holes for a badge. Its definitely been repainted but from decades ago, the patina is immaculate. The ride is an absolute pleasure and I am beyond stoked to be the new care taker of this beautiful piece. Happy to be apart of such an awesome community.

-Tobin

 

[broadarrowmaint]

I believe its an Oriole 1935 model. Serial number is N 9 6 2 04

And above it is B 8

 

[Freqman1]

Need better pics of the head tube but looks like I'm seeing holes on the side of the head tube?

 

[markivpedalpusher]

Great bike - welcome to the Cabe !

 

[ian]

Nice ride! Welcome to theCabe from the beautiful PNW.

 

[cyclingday]

Yeah!
Welcome to the CABE!
Glad you decided to dive in.
That bike is a Classic!
It does look like it should’ve had a head badge.
If you don’t see any evidence on the outside, take a look on the inside of the head tube sometime.
That should show where the holes were.
They probably just got filled in during the repaint years ago.

 

[ssum2]

Welcome great looking elgin love the color

 

[Archie Sturmer]

Sure looks like a Sears Elgin chain ring sprocket, and the early Sears Elgin badges had about 2+1/8" vertical hole-spacing for the fastening screws.

 

[Mercian]

Hi @broadarrowmaint

and Welcome too.

N96204 / B8 as you've worked out is a frame made in August 1935, and probably built up very soon after. Going by serial numbers, 1935 was a fairly low production year for Westfield, and the first half was dreadful. That is why yours is a low serial number from quite late in the year. This bike is from when sales started to pick up again.

What make of rear brake hub does it have (Dew Departure, Musselman?)

Here is a near survivor, N88084 of @jchicago . This probably shows the original paint that yours started with. And the owner says that there was no headbadge too. He states that there are no sign of holes for one either, so this may have been a particular feature at this time.

Men's Elgin ID Help | Classic Balloon Tire Bicycles 1933-1965

(There could really be a dedicated thread just for identifying bikes) I just bought this men's Elgin and need help identifying the year. My best guess is a 1935 Westfield Oriole? The serial number is N88084. One distinctive feature is the nicely scripted Elgin logo on the bottom bar. There's...

thecabe.com

Best Regards,

Adrian

 

[1817cent]

Nice bike and welcome to the cabe!