Hi all! I had to sign up today to make this post, because I know nothing about bikes except how to ride them (I'm a stoneware kinda guy). I didn't even know what "Schwinn Lightweight" was 6 hours ago, and still might not know lol. I'm a WI picker and a friend came to me with some stuff to consign and sell for him. Of those things is this bike. He told me his father said it was a 1952. If I'm right about what it is, he might not want to sell it. My research led me here. Any thoughts would be awesome! Thanks in advance
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Schwinn Continental Clubman...I think??
- Thread starter TLSell
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Thank you. I've read there are not many examples out there? So I thought I'd share for future research purposes at a minimum. I have not viewed this bike in person yet, but will in the somewhat near future. I'll take whatever pics I can to help preserve the history of it for you bike gurus lol!!
GTs58
I'm the Wiz, and nobody beats me!
I corrected my previous post on the serial location, having a bad day. 
I've seen maybe 10 of these that have shown up here and on one other site. Either above or below the serial number there will be CM stamp which I believe indicates the bike was built as a Clubman. Some of the ones I've seen haven't survived quite as original as this one and the current owners had no idea what they had.
I've seen maybe 10 of these that have shown up here and on one other site. Either above or below the serial number there will be CM stamp which I believe indicates the bike was built as a Clubman. Some of the ones I've seen haven't survived quite as original as this one and the current owners had no idea what they had.
SirMike1983
Riding a '38 Autocycle Deluxe
The Clubman is an uncommon model that was a little more sporty than the average utility "lightweight". Part of the issue is how small the market for an adult-oriented, sporting bike was in the US in the 1950s. I don't know how many of these Schwinn sold back then, but probably not very many. We rarely see them today. The automobile was king of the American road in those years. This one looks like a 1950s era bike to me. The few I have seen were early and mid 1950s era bikes. I don't recall that any were the larger frame size that you have there. As GT mentioned, take a look at the rear hub shell for a month and year date code. That older model of shifter usually appears on 1940s era bikes. I'm wondering if maybe it was a retrofit, but see what the hub shell says first. There was a handlebar click shifter more commonly used in the 1950s. Part of the challenge in dating the bike is how unusual the Clubman is today. But maybe the hub shell will send you in the right direction. It's a very nice, very unusual piece for anyone who likes old Schwinn road bikes. If your friend likes old road bikes, this one is a keeper because good luck finding another one in that size, color, and condition.
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49autocycledeluxe
Riding a '38 Autocycle Deluxe
now I have seen 2 of those, there was a gold one on here a while back and I saw it in person at the bike swap in Stockton.
Hi,
Just wanted to follow up with some more specific info and pics for future historical reference. Based on the serial number/date of manufacture sheet on this site...looks like it was made in early to mid September 1955. I still haven't viewed the bike in person, but I asked my friend to take some more pics for me and here they are.
Tim
Just wanted to follow up with some more specific info and pics for future historical reference. Based on the serial number/date of manufacture sheet on this site...looks like it was made in early to mid September 1955. I still haven't viewed the bike in person, but I asked my friend to take some more pics for me and here they are.
Tim
Fenders look stainless steel, handlebars look aluminum? Check magnet. I think rims S6 but not stainless steel version due to looks like rust.
Schwinny
I live for the CABE
A few parts may have been replaced, but definitely a Continental Clubman. The crank chain ring is the give away, It seems to be unique to the Clubman.
Pretty rare bike. There are a few here in several threads and we love to see them.
If you were to sell it, here in the sale forum would be the place. There are several Schwinn Lightweight lovers here.
The things that I see that are unusual are ;
The handlebars, The front hub and the pedals. Ive never seen a chrome shifter hub cab, that's pretty cool, and the saddle is an old high quality replacement.
We've discussed the quadrant shifters on these late bikes before as they were generally gone by the 50's, but that one looks like its been there all-along.
Pretty nice bike and it would clean-up real well.
Pretty rare bike. There are a few here in several threads and we love to see them.
If you were to sell it, here in the sale forum would be the place. There are several Schwinn Lightweight lovers here.
The things that I see that are unusual are ;
The handlebars, The front hub and the pedals. Ive never seen a chrome shifter hub cab, that's pretty cool, and the saddle is an old high quality replacement.
We've discussed the quadrant shifters on these late bikes before as they were generally gone by the 50's, but that one looks like its been there all-along.
Pretty nice bike and it would clean-up real well.
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