Please help identifying an old Schwinn

[Mark Johnston]

Hi, new guy here in Phoenix. I recently aquired this bike from a friend. It has a 3 speed hub with drum brake. Serial # is J246543 which makes it a 1953 right? What model would this be? Was the springer a special order?

I'm wondering what parts I need to search for to bring it back to at least stock appearance.
Sorry for all
Of the question, and thanks in advance for any help!

 

[Danny the schwinn freak]

Pm sent

 

[GTs58]

The serial number was stamped Sept. 20, 1962. Springer forks were a factory option on some models and could have also been added by an owner or Schwinn dealer. Off the top of my head I can't think of any 1962 models that came standard with a springer fork. Looks like that bike was built frame up with parts that weren't original to the fame. No way now to determine what the original model was.

 

[Mark Johnston]

Thank you! I think I'll just make it operational and ride it!

 

[Oilit]

Are the rims marked S-7 or S-2? I'm guessing it's a middleweight (S-7 rims) but if they're S-2's you could have a Wasp, which would be nice. That was Schwinn's last balloon tire bike.

 

[Mark Johnston]

It has S2s.

 

[GTs58]

Thanks for pointing that out @Oilit

If your bike is a ballooner then you lucked out! The only ballooner in 1962 was the Wasp so no guessing there.
You can check the frame for verification.

 

[Mark Johnston]

I'll take a measurement and check, thanks!

 

[Mark Johnston]

I haven't had time to measure the frame, but regardless of what it was or is I would like opinions on what you guys would do with it.
Leave it be and ride it?
Give it a complete makeover?
Make it a bare bones cruiser?

 

[rhenning]

It is your bike so have at it. It would not be an easy bike to restore but certainly would be a good bike to make a rider. It is not a bike I would sink a lot of money into. Roger