Shelby Bikes during WWII?

[DrRumack80]

I agree, its just and old partial bike not anything worth restoring, I'm curious. I did straighten the forks a couple days ago using a simple method I saw on YT. Pretty sure the stem and bars are Shelby cuz I've seen the same on photos of other ones.

View attachment 2442512

View attachment 2442513

Yes, I tried straightening my fenders that way but it didn't work so well. It's sort of like alternative chiropractic methods.

 

[SKPC]

These after-war bikes used thinner metaled frames, not sure about the forks. They are of not much value except if original paint and complete. Bikes like yours
are best re-built with modern parts and fresh paint taking advantage of the lightweight frame. Or, you could piece it back together with period correct parts.

 

[ToddF]

Good point. I'll do some paint scraping and so what underneath.

Good point. I'll do some paint scraping and so what underneath.

Well Archie, you get the genius award for the day. There was chrome hiding below...

 

[GradyIII]

Your chrome bars and neck were painted- all of them were chrome. The chrome chain guard on mine is unusual, they were usually painted. The chrome on my bars and neck is less than 50%, the chain guard 70% and sprocket 98% survived much better (historical storage). I did a ton of research on my Hiawatha, it is a '45 or 46. Some Shelby experts think that it could be a mid-'45. There are no company generated serial number records-but for the most part are consecutive. I have an early post war "G" serial. There are many old industry magazines and literature about internal production, if you really want to dig... but here is some quotes from articles the Shelby Bicycle Museum has:

By chrisdrain / September 25, 2017
"Company vice president H. Clyde Brokaw was one of five Ohio men who were named to the War Production Board in 1942 to assist in determining production and rationing for the bicycle industry. By September, the plant, already doing some war work in addition to manufacturing bicycles, turned their focus to defense contracts. The company was granted an appeal for 60 days to make an additional 10,000 bicycles to deplete their supply of materials on hand.

In September 1944, rationing was removed and the plant began to produce bicycles again, with restrictions. Production was confined to adult bikes, no heavier than 42 pounds exclusive of tires, and with no extra equipment. In 1945, regular bicycle production was resumed.

Shelby Cycle Co. was back in the business of producing bicycles by 1945, although steel and rubber were still in short supply. To fill orders more quickly, the most popular models were mass produced to establish stock that could be shipped on demand.

With stock in warehouses, the company signed contracts with nationally known outlets such as Western Auto Stores, Gamble Stores, Sears Roebuck, Montgomery Ward, Spiegel, Gimbels and others."

 

[ToddF]

Your chrome bars and neck were painted- all of them were chrome. The chrome chain guard on mine is unusual, they were usually painted. The chrome on my bars and neck is less than 50%, the chain guard 70% and sprocket 98% survived much better (historical storage). I did a ton of research on my Hiawatha, it is a '45 or 46. Some Shelby experts think that it could be a mid-'45. There are no company generated serial number records-but for the most part are consecutive. I have an early post war "G" serial. There are many old industry magazines and literature about internal production, if you really want to dig... but here is some quotes from articles the Shelby Bicycle Museum has:

By chrisdrain / September 25, 2017
"Company vice president H. Clyde Brokaw was one of five Ohio men who were named to the War Production Board in 1942 to assist in determining production and rationing for the bicycle industry. By September, the plant, already doing some war work in addition to manufacturing bicycles, turned their focus to defense contracts. The company was granted an appeal for 60 days to make an additional 10,000 bicycles to deplete their supply of materials on hand.

In September 1944, rationing was removed and the plant began to produce bicycles again, with restrictions. Production was confined to adult bikes, no heavier than 42 pounds exclusive of tires, and with no extra equipment. In 1945, regular bicycle production was resumed.

Shelby Cycle Co. was back in the business of producing bicycles by 1945, although steel and rubber were still in short supply. To fill orders more quickly, the most popular models were mass produced to establish stock that could be shipped on demand.

With stock in warehouses, the company signed contracts with nationally known outlets such as Western Auto Stores, Gamble Stores, Sears Roebuck, Montgomery Ward, Spiegel, Gimbels and others."

Great info! Thanks a lot for that.