Schwinn Serial Number Reference

[Chadillac]

The 1952 serial numbers were stamped on the left rear dropout.

View attachment 2008318

I missed that key point about the serial location.

 

[GTs58]

Well, it looks like nobody else is going to bring it up, so I will. That's a Troxel single coil spring saddle you've got there, isn't it?

Note!

 

[Kpoole]

My Schwinn built BF Goodrich bike has a serial number # B22947 on the bottom bracket. My bike has the straight out rear drop outs.

 

[Kpoole]

By trusting your serial number for 1952, what you have is a Korean War bike and because of that, all bets are off. Schwinn was under direct authority of the Office of Price Stabilization (OPS) and the National Production Authority (NPA) [worthy research topics] and would stay under their restrictions until August of 1953. Even though the Crank, Part Number H-501 was last seen in the 1941 Parts and Accessories Catalog, it was seen on bikes as late as 1948. Were there leftovers? I don't know, I wasn't there. What I do know, though, is that Frank W. Schwinn didn't throw anything away, ever. Like Lumbermen who get everything out of a tree but the squirrel, he was a VERY frugal man.

I think one of the risks we run when we find ourselves so deep in the weeds is that we tend to allow our imaginations a great deal of latitude. I think it is better to stay within the boundaries of documented research. "What-ifs" are good fun, but they are inclined to thwart an earnest search for the truth. Now, I apologize for the sermon. Sorry!

<My crank on my BF Goodrich bike is stamped H-502

 

[AS-1]

<My crank on my BF Goodrich bike is stamped H-502

Is your crank on a ladies bike or a New World?

 

[Kpoole]

Is your crank on a ladies bike or a New World?

Ladies bike

 

[AS-1]

Ladies bike

Excellent! That was the correct answer. On page 23 of the 1940/41 Schwinn Parts and Accessories catalog you will see "photos" (their term) of Crank, Number 214 and Crank Number 215. On the following page you will see the part listing. Photo #214 is actually Part Number 501, Crank - Mens. Photo #215 is actually Part Number 502 (your crank) listed as Crank - Ladies and New world - Chrome plated, in carton.......$1.50. Though not to scale, the ladies crank arms measure approximately 1/2" shorter. (Please see below)