PatTheSlat
On Training Wheels
I picked up a pair of pre-wars yesterday and would like some help identifying them. I know they're nothing special, but I'd still like to know what they actually are.
The first one I believe to be a '37. Full album of pictures here: http://imgur.com/a/8A41K It's got the hockey stick style clamp on chain guard, and the serial number is in a smaller, close-together font (I think it's K253__, not that it really matters). The crank is stamped "A2" and "K". The bike has been badly repainted multiple times. The frame has a single crossbar between the downtube and top tube. The dropouts are rearward facing, without any tensioner screws. The rear coaster brake hub is a New Departure Model D. The front hub is labeled Schwinn. The headbadge is unfortunately missing. My questions on this one are, is that the original crank? I would have thought it'd be a dog-leg style, but it's not. Are those the original grips? They are labeled "Hex-Grip Model A". They're in pretty decent shape, and if they're original I'd imagine they'd be worth a fair amount. Also, the bad re-painting is chipping away, and the original paintjob looks to be in alright condition below it all. Is there any decent way to strip off the repainting to get the original finish back? I was thinking of trying to blast it off by pressure washing it.
The second one I really have no idea on, other than I think it's newer because of the chain guard and the font of the serial number. Album here: http://imgur.com/a/JVP3Q (Pictures taken after I already removed the crank). This one has two cross-bars between the main tubes of the frame, and does have tensioner screws on the rear facing dropouts. It's also been repainted, though not quite as badly as the first one. Crank is stamped with either H or II or 11, then 502. The rear hub is JC Higggins, and doesn't work (sprocket just freewheels when you try to pedal forward, though the coaster brake does work. On this one I'd mainly just like to know the year, and whether or not the rear hub is easily repairable.
Any help or info on these would be much appreciated.
The first one I believe to be a '37. Full album of pictures here: http://imgur.com/a/8A41K It's got the hockey stick style clamp on chain guard, and the serial number is in a smaller, close-together font (I think it's K253__, not that it really matters). The crank is stamped "A2" and "K". The bike has been badly repainted multiple times. The frame has a single crossbar between the downtube and top tube. The dropouts are rearward facing, without any tensioner screws. The rear coaster brake hub is a New Departure Model D. The front hub is labeled Schwinn. The headbadge is unfortunately missing. My questions on this one are, is that the original crank? I would have thought it'd be a dog-leg style, but it's not. Are those the original grips? They are labeled "Hex-Grip Model A". They're in pretty decent shape, and if they're original I'd imagine they'd be worth a fair amount. Also, the bad re-painting is chipping away, and the original paintjob looks to be in alright condition below it all. Is there any decent way to strip off the repainting to get the original finish back? I was thinking of trying to blast it off by pressure washing it.
The second one I really have no idea on, other than I think it's newer because of the chain guard and the font of the serial number. Album here: http://imgur.com/a/JVP3Q (Pictures taken after I already removed the crank). This one has two cross-bars between the main tubes of the frame, and does have tensioner screws on the rear facing dropouts. It's also been repainted, though not quite as badly as the first one. Crank is stamped with either H or II or 11, then 502. The rear hub is JC Higggins, and doesn't work (sprocket just freewheels when you try to pedal forward, though the coaster brake does work. On this one I'd mainly just like to know the year, and whether or not the rear hub is easily repairable.
Any help or info on these would be much appreciated.