Small Forebrake Introduction

[Freqman1]

My question here is when, exactly, was the small Forebrake introduced? The catalogs don't show these brakes showing up until the '40 year but several people have told me that both the front (both high and low flange) and rear brakes were introduced sometime in '39. Does anyone have any dealer or trade literature showing exactly when these were introduced? V/r Shawn

 

[cyclingday]

They were 1940 issue, but the new 1940 components were being installed on bikes by late 39.
That original as found, two tone blue, Super Deluxe Autocycle I used to have, had a 39 serial number and a 39 dated crank arm, but all of the other components on it were the new 1940 issue stuff.

 

[kenny_hungus]

1940....1940 ..1940....EVEN IF THAT 40 SUPER DELUXE HAD A 39 SERIAL NUMBER .....IT WAS BEING BUILT AS A 1940....AS ALL THE COMPONENTS WERE 1940.....THE SCHOLAR WAS THERE BIDDING ON THAT BIKE WHEN IT CAME UP FOR SALE IN MY NECK OF THE WOODS....SO 1940.....END OF STORY!!!!!

 

[kenny_hungus]

THE ORIGINAL FOREWHEEL BRAKE WAS INTRODUCED IN 1937 AND USED THROUGH 1939.....AND THEN IN 1940 ...THE NEW EXPANDER BRAKES WERE INTRODUCED....HIGH AND LOW FLANGE!!!!!

 

[Freqman1]

It appears there is disagreement on this topic which is why I asked if anyone had any literature that could substantiate one way or the other. Let me throw this out there and see what you "in the know" think. V/r Shawn

Brake	Lever	Cable
1937-1939 Large drum original style no rear brake	So called 'shorty' pressed steel	Black cloth covered, ball clevis
1940 Revised smaller drum. Front in both High and low flange configuration. Rear brake introduced. Barrell marked "Pat'd Pending".	So called 'Webb' pressed steel	Silver/gold coated, ball clevis
1941 Same as 1940 except no "Pat'd Pending"	solid steel no script	Black plastic, ball clevis
1946-1960* Front same as prewar high flange rear same as prewar * Schwinn Fair Trade sheets last list rear expander in 1954 and front in 1960	solid steel "Schwinn" script-no difference in right and left levers.	Black plastic, pinch clevis

 

[kenny_hungus]

Some of what you posted is right and some of this is wrong.....209 850 0173 Tedd Turner.....THE PREWAR SCHWINN SCHOLAR!!!!!

 

[Autocycleplane]

"As found" and "as sold" - these are not always the same. I think it's just as likely the kid ordered up a new set of wheels for his amazing blue/blue 39 after he saw the 40 catalog. So many of the vintage photos show these bikes modified in all sorts of ways, but when we find them somehow it's an archaeological discovery untouched since the machine's creation at the factory and worthy of building into a huge pile of assumptions and folklore.

"All the components were the new 1940..." - like what? The wheelset/levers that could have been added later? The chainring? Not much difference between a 39 and 40 deluxe except the chainring, typical rear fender strut placement shown but not always followed for each year, and available optional drum brakes. Although I would argue you could still easily get the earlier big drum on your 40 if you wanted it that way.

@Freqman1 - pat pending was 41 too. 41 cables were like 40 and not plastic. The Webb lever shows up in mid-38 on lightweights and 39 on ballooners, same with the dural rear brake, early short levers still used into 39 as well as the Webb on front only, Webb "always" used for rear dural drum. Some overlap on what was used, not a black and white/stop and start situation.

 

[kenny_hungus]

OH BOY.....THE SCHOLAR IS DONE...…………………….GOODBYE!!!!!!!

 

[cyclingday]

What do you think, Clark?

 

[kenny_hungus]

Marty …...I am done wasting my time...….IM GOING TO WALLY WORLD!!!!!!!