Pre war Excelsior help.

[Notagamerguy]

Im looking at this excelsior does anyone know the age of it i assume its atleast early 20s because of the tank shape

 

[fordmike65]

Looks 20's to me. Get it!

 

[Archie Sturmer]

Nice bike, with tank-toolbox. I have been using a rule of 1923 for Excelsior built Sears Elgin bicycles; however that one has the manufacturer’s own badge. The rule goes like this, A = 1923; (just like Westfield, but don’t infer more than a coincidence). 1923 is about the same time that Sears was looking for a replacement manufacturer for the bankrupt Davis Sewing Machine Co. The estimate may be off, and it does not account for my Excelsior-built Elgin without a letter prefix code (1922?).
Also, the bike pictured has the older truss fork design (Excelsior unique?) with the forged fork crown; the Excelsior six points star sprocket (not an A&S Henderson); and long reach goose/swan neck stem.

 

[Goldenindian]

The Davis Sewing Machine Company’s contract to build bikes for Sears ended in 1919. It’s the last year we see Chiefs, napoleons, masters, etc. I believe the bottle cap badged Michigan City built Elgin’s probably start in 1920. Not sure how many years before Westfield gets the Sears contract but I would imagine mid twenties. We start to see these Excelsiors, Triumphs and Deluxes become more prevalent mid twenties and thirties.

 

[Rusty72]

 

[Rusty72]

Definitely 1920’s

 

[Notagamerguy]

I got it home last night. Needs a bit of work but it's solid. Thank you for the information everyone

 

[Archie Sturmer]

Based on the post by @Goldenindian, I reviewed some serial numbers and past assumptions, and will now be adopting a revised rule. A = 1920 for my bikes. I found an “E” serial Elgin with an extra “4” stamp (1924?) and decided to extrapolate from there.
I was way off before — by about 3 years!

 

[tacochris]

OMG....that bike is what dreams are made of for me. I own alot of ballooners but that era is my heart and soul. Lucky guy...

 

[1817cent]

Nice bike! Congrats!!