Hi,
You have a fairly uncommon bicycle. It was manufactured by Cleveland Welding for Western Autos and uses a CWC frame that was only produced for the 1941 model year, physically; these frames were probably made as early as fall 1940 and were likely produced until bicycle production ended for WW2.
While it is a straight-bar, like the Hawthorne ?All American? and several Post-war CWC models, the frame you have actually shares almost nothing with those models.
The CWC designation for Roadmaster version of the bicycle is: Model 5926-A, Men?s ?A? fully equipped. This Model replaced the 4-Gill models offered in 1939 and 40 which in turn were the replacements for the Supreme models of 1937 and 38.
I do not know if Western Autos had a specific designation for this model
The most notable difference between ?A? model CWC frames and lesser models is the 6" tall head tube on the men?s frames (which is the same height used on standard and ?A? model girl?s frames and an inch taller than other men?s CWC frames). The tank aperture is unique to this frame only the correct 1941 tank will fit the frame.
The CWC ?All American? is a very different frame, the head tube is 5? tall, the chain stays are of the earlier non-rising style, and the down tube is virtually straight with a very fast bend close to the bottom bracket. Postwar CWC straight-bar frames are very different again, all with 5? heads and a down tube with a more serpentine bend.
In the past 15+ years I have seen photos of less than 10 of these bicycles. Interestingly, they have been badged about evenly between Roadmaster and Western Flyer. The differences of note between the two are the chain ring, (1? pitch and patterned as yours for Western Flyer, and ?? pitch with 10 torqued hearts for Roadmaster) and the rack (Western Flyer used the Airfoil rack as used on the All American while Roadmaster used a version of the 37-40 rack with turn signal style tail lights.)
For photographic reference you can turn to the Evolution of the Bicycle, volumes one and two. In volume one, on page 148, is a picture of Steve Castelli?s original. And in volume two on page 184, Brad Guilford?s Western Flyer is shown. (I believe the chain guard and headlight are not original.) Unfortunately I don?t believe this model appears on Dave Stromberger?s site!
Regarding the tank and headlight;
1937, 38, and 39 CWC catalogs display ?A? models offered without tanks, the 1940 and 41 catalogs only list ?A? models with tanks. This, along with the style of the paint darts on your frame leads me to believe that your bicycle originally had a tank. The correct tank is hard to find but I?m sure one will turn up if you persevere.
Upper line CWC models for 1940 used a fork mounted headlight which was wired to batteries and a headlight switch in the tank. In 1941 a larger headlight was used that holds its own batteries and switch. This is the headlight you need.
I will try to find a suitable picture to post in the next few days
Enjoy your bike! It is a very nice find.
Philip Marshall
Also, as an aside on All Americans, I thought they were only sold through Ward?s until I scored a frame and fork on eBay a few years ago badged Western Flyer.
You have a fairly uncommon bicycle. It was manufactured by Cleveland Welding for Western Autos and uses a CWC frame that was only produced for the 1941 model year, physically; these frames were probably made as early as fall 1940 and were likely produced until bicycle production ended for WW2.
While it is a straight-bar, like the Hawthorne ?All American? and several Post-war CWC models, the frame you have actually shares almost nothing with those models.
The CWC designation for Roadmaster version of the bicycle is: Model 5926-A, Men?s ?A? fully equipped. This Model replaced the 4-Gill models offered in 1939 and 40 which in turn were the replacements for the Supreme models of 1937 and 38.
I do not know if Western Autos had a specific designation for this model
The most notable difference between ?A? model CWC frames and lesser models is the 6" tall head tube on the men?s frames (which is the same height used on standard and ?A? model girl?s frames and an inch taller than other men?s CWC frames). The tank aperture is unique to this frame only the correct 1941 tank will fit the frame.
The CWC ?All American? is a very different frame, the head tube is 5? tall, the chain stays are of the earlier non-rising style, and the down tube is virtually straight with a very fast bend close to the bottom bracket. Postwar CWC straight-bar frames are very different again, all with 5? heads and a down tube with a more serpentine bend.
In the past 15+ years I have seen photos of less than 10 of these bicycles. Interestingly, they have been badged about evenly between Roadmaster and Western Flyer. The differences of note between the two are the chain ring, (1? pitch and patterned as yours for Western Flyer, and ?? pitch with 10 torqued hearts for Roadmaster) and the rack (Western Flyer used the Airfoil rack as used on the All American while Roadmaster used a version of the 37-40 rack with turn signal style tail lights.)
For photographic reference you can turn to the Evolution of the Bicycle, volumes one and two. In volume one, on page 148, is a picture of Steve Castelli?s original. And in volume two on page 184, Brad Guilford?s Western Flyer is shown. (I believe the chain guard and headlight are not original.) Unfortunately I don?t believe this model appears on Dave Stromberger?s site!
Regarding the tank and headlight;
1937, 38, and 39 CWC catalogs display ?A? models offered without tanks, the 1940 and 41 catalogs only list ?A? models with tanks. This, along with the style of the paint darts on your frame leads me to believe that your bicycle originally had a tank. The correct tank is hard to find but I?m sure one will turn up if you persevere.
Upper line CWC models for 1940 used a fork mounted headlight which was wired to batteries and a headlight switch in the tank. In 1941 a larger headlight was used that holds its own batteries and switch. This is the headlight you need.
I will try to find a suitable picture to post in the next few days
Enjoy your bike! It is a very nice find.
Philip Marshall
Also, as an aside on All Americans, I thought they were only sold through Ward?s until I scored a frame and fork on eBay a few years ago badged Western Flyer.
