What Year Was This Fleet Wing Manufactured?

[prob]

I just picked up this bike from an auction and wanted to confirm when it was made. It's a Fleet Wing with serial number J21088. It has an AMF decal so I'm assuming it was manufactured after AMF acquired CWC. My best guess is that it was made in 1951 but it would be great if there was a way to confirm. Thank you in advance for any help that you can provide.

Also, I need to replace the tires and tubes (26 x 1.75 front and back) - any advice where to look for these?

 

[Archie Sturmer]

Nice bike.

Might be a 1959–J.

Cleveland Welding S/N Project...See Page 58 Post 576 for chart | Classic Balloon Tire Bicycles 1933-1965

Since many of us have asked, and many of us has now or maybe had in the past a CWC built Roadmaster, I think it's time to start a List. If a picture/serial number list could be started and updated with new entries including frame characteristics, I think we over time could rebuild a serial...

thecabe.com

Some hints are the metallic paint, AMF decal, Shelby style sprocket and middleweight tires.

Welcome to the CABE.

 

[Oilit]

I agree with @Archie Sturmer. AMF didn't start building middleweights (26 x 1.75 tires) until 1955 and the "Masterweld - AMF Wheel Goods" decal was introduced sometime in 1957, but that chain guard and sprocket were dropped after the early '60's. So the only "J" serials in that time frame were 1959.
Very nice condition on that one!

 

[prob]

Thank you so much Archie and Oilit for your feedback - that's very helpful and greatly appreciated!

A few additional questions if I may...do you know what material the seat would have been made from for this bike in 1959? I want to clean it but want to make sure I use an appropriate product for the material so it is not damaged in the process.

Also, any suggestions where I might find replacement tires and tubes? The tires were apparently deflated for a long period of time (perhaps decades as it sat in a basement collecting dust) and the tires became deformed and brittle. After filling the tubes with air (still holding) the shape of the tires partially improved but are still warped where they were sitting flat for that extensive period.

 

[WillWork4Parts]

Here's a good looking classic tread in whitewall that matches your diameter and width of rim.

SCHWINN BRICK TREAD 26 X 1.75 WIDE WHITEWALL BALLOON BICYCLE TIRES READ THE AD!! | eBay

TWO SUPER LOOKING AND PERFORMING BRICK TREAD WHITEWALL BALLOON BICYCLE TIRES. FITS SCHWINN S-2 AND OTHER BALLOON RIMS AND FITS ALL OTHERS (ASK IF YOU ARE UNCERTAIN). BUT DOES NOT FIT SCHWINN MIDDLEWEIGHT S-6 OR S-7 SIZE RIMS.

www.ebay.com

Note that while a 2.125" width tire will fit your rims, the wider tires will interfere with those fenders. The widest you might fit on there would probably be 1.95" tires.

 

[prob]

Here's a good looking classic tread in whitewall that matches your diameter and width of rim.

SCHWINN BRICK TREAD 26 X 1.75 WIDE WHITEWALL BALLOON BICYCLE TIRES READ THE AD!! | eBay

TWO SUPER LOOKING AND PERFORMING BRICK TREAD WHITEWALL BALLOON BICYCLE TIRES. FITS SCHWINN S-2 AND OTHER BALLOON RIMS AND FITS ALL OTHERS (ASK IF YOU ARE UNCERTAIN). BUT DOES NOT FIT SCHWINN MIDDLEWEIGHT S-6 OR S-7 SIZE RIMS.

www.ebay.com

Note that while a 2.125" width tire will fit your rims, the wider tires will interfere with those fenders. The widest you might fit on there would probably be 1.95" tires.

Thank you!