Phantom Reference Thread

[Freqman1]

I be seen this conversation going on in another thread and think it’s more appropriate here. The discussion centers on the thin vs. thick truss rods on the Phantom. As far as I know this holds true for all the springer models. My Dec ‘49 Phantom has the thin rods. The next earliest bike I have is a ‘54 and it has the thick rods. I’m pretty sure this subject has come up before but does anyone have a definitive answer on when the change occurred? @bobcycles @AS-1

 

[AS-1]

I be seen this conversation going on in another thread and think it’s more appropriate here. The discussion centers on the thin vs. thick truss rods on the Phantom. As far as I know this holds true for all the springer models. My Dec ‘49 Phantom has the thin rods. The next earliest bike I have is a ‘54 and it has the thick rods. I’m pretty sure this subject has come up before but does anyone have a definitive answer on when the change occurred? @bobcycles @AS-1


View attachment 2168289

The smaller diameter truss rod, Old Part Number 2322B (new Part Number 2960) was shown in the 1948 Schwinn Dealer Catalog/Schwinn parts and Accessories Catalog. It was shown again in the 1950 Schwinn Dealer Catalog/Schwinn Parts and Accessories Catalog. It was NOT shown in either the 1953 or 1954 Schwinn Dealer/P&A Catalog.

The larger diameter truss rod, Old Part Number 2322W (New Part Number 2965) was shown in the the 1948, the 1950, the 1953, and the 1954 Schwinn Dealer/P&A Catalogs.

 

[Freqman1]

The smaller diameter truss rod, Old Part Number 2322B (new Part Number 2960) was shown in the 1948 Schwinn Dealer Catalog/Schwinn parts and Accessories Catalog. It was shown again in the 1950 Schwinn Dealer Catalog/Schwinn Parts and Accessories Catalog. It was NOT shown in either the 1953 or 1954 Schwinn Dealer/P&A Catalog.

The larger diameter truss rod, Old Part Number 2322W (New Part Number 2965) was shown in the the 1948, the 1950, the 1953, and the 1954 Schwinn Dealer/P&A Catalogs.

Thanks, for some reason I want to say '51 was the last year for the thin truss rods.

 

[GTs58]

Thanks, for some reason I want to say '51 was the last year for the thin truss rods.

Here is a supposed 1951 with the 3/8 rods. It has been a PITA for me trying to find an untouched 1952 that doesn't have the same serial number as the 1953's to pin point the transition year.

 

[bloo]

It has been a PITA for me trying to find an untouched 1952 that doesn't have the same serial number as the 1953's to pin point the transition year.

Huh? Could you expand on that just a little? I think I am missing something in what you said.

EDIT: Oh.... its the serial number re-use problem, isn't it?

 

[GTs58]

Huh? Could you expand on that just a little? I think I am missing something in what you said.

EDIT: Oh.... its the serial number re-use problem, isn't it?

Yup, it's all about the A-B-C's. The transition has to be in either 1952 or 53.

 

[Hoagie57]

@AS-1 re: "The single word "Phantom" on the chainguard is shown in the 1955, 1956, and the 1958 Schwinn Dealer Catalogs and in the 1956 and 1957 Schwinn Customer "Folder" catalogs. They all show a Black Phantom in their art work. My 1958 Opalescent Red Phantom only has the single "Phantom" on the chainguard. Hopefully, other members of the POG (Phantom Owners Group) will share their observations."

Here is another case where I disagree with the illustrations. My observations are that the very early Black Phantom had no decal on the guard. This, evidently, lasted only a very short time before the decal was added. Every Black Phantom I've seen from about '50 on has the "Black Phantom" decal. The red, green, and blue bikes only have a "Phantom" decal. Another error with the illustrations is that they show the bike with a 'no rivet' seat which was used only on the early ('49-50) bikes. Also used on some of the early bikes was the Mesinger B2 saddle.

My Dec 49 Red Phantom has no decal @ all. My 50 BFG Red just says PHANTOM but both have 1/2" truss rods

 

[Freqman1]

My Dec 49 Red Phantom has no decal @ all. My 50 BFG Red just says PHANTOM but both have 1/2" truss rods

Pics of the bikes?

 

[Hoagie57]

nope take my word or ask @coasterbrakejunkie1969 he's seen them both & they do exist!

 

[the tinker]

I thought this trussrod thing was settled long ago. Pre'53 thin, 53 and later thick. I don't recall ever seeing the thicker rods on the early Schwinns and going way back to the fifties, I've owned lots of them. Not saying they weren't on them, I just can't remember, because it wasn't an issue any more than wanting to know the exact year your bike was made. This " I gotta know" stuff started in the 80's. Before that, here in Chicago, Schwinns were just another common old bike. Especially Schwinns. I don't recall anyone ever talking about them like we do today. Nobody cared. Wes Pinchot once told me the smaller rods stopped in 1953 when the heavier ones replaced them. In my book , Wes was Mr. Schwinn. When Phantom came out, he bought a new one, right here in Chicago. There aren't many of us left that got a new Phantom before 1954. My dad bought one in the summer of 1952 for my brother. It was my first 26" bike. I distinctly recall it had the heavy rods on it, as I remember one was bent and cracked by my brother carelessly crashing the bike. This whole "Gotta know what year it is" has become crazy. Me and many other guys here, some still alive and many more deceased have been old bike guys for years, let's hear from them on this????? What I think was sometime in 1952, Schwinn phased in the heavier rods. I own an original green 51. Bought from a friend who handled his late uncle's estate. His uncle bought it new in 51. It has the thin rods on it. That said, I have seen scads of so called " a totally original" bike, that unknown to the current owner, a knowledgeable enthusiast can tell that parts have been changed. Maybe it was 70 years ago, for who knows what reason, but they are not original to the bike. Truss rods easily got bent or broken and may have been replaced with the newer ones. And, even if you got it from the original owner, can you rely on the memory of someone like the tinker? ME???????? A person that when he needs a hunk of metal for a new saddle pan, does something like this: