Who's Teens motobike? (manufacturer)

[stezell]

I've been asked to start a thread of my recent motobike find. So here we go with the information that I do have, I welcome input, but please don't run off into a tangent. It's a 20" frame with no lugs, no badge with hole spacing 2 7/8", serial #55023, AS 16 dated crank with chain ring, peculiar dropouts with single sleeve for adjusters, Westfield fenders, original red paint underneath black. The more I look at other manufacturers, I'm thinking it could be from the time that Schwinn sold Excelsior to Michigan City IN the Excelsior signature E badge would fit, AS 16 crank assembly fits the time frame, no letter at the beginning of the serial #, difference between the top tube and the bottom is 1/8". If anymore pictures or measurements are needed please let me know and thank you for your help.

V/r
Sean

 

[Archie Sturmer]

What is the right-left width of one chain stay about the bottom bracket crank hanger;
What is the top-down height of one chain stay about the bottom bracket crank hanger?

 

[stezell]

Right to left 1/2" and top to bottom 1" @Archie Sturmer

 

[New Mexico Brant]

Hi Shawn,
Lovely bicycle you got there, congratulations. Has it been snowy up in Michigan?

 

[New Mexico Brant]

What are the top tube and the tube just below diameter measurements?

This works well for taking the measurements:

6 in. Composite Digital Caliper

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[stezell]

Yes sir it was snowing, now it's melting. Top bar 1" and bottom bar 7/8", I'll invest in a micrometer when I get to the big city.

 

[Archie Sturmer]

There was a time when Excelsior Chicago described itself as a supplier as well as a frame manufacturer, and I believe that many older-looking but unknown frames with the oval-shaped stays might be of that era.

The bike pictured above seems to have the same stays, as well as the fairly distinctive bridge in between the stays, to suggest an Excelsior of the Michigan City Indiana era, even though other details (truss tube joints) look different.

I have seen an early Excelsior-built (not Davis) Sears Elgin motorbike with a 100,000 series stamping, (circa 1922?), without the prefix alphabet letter stamping. So maybe for some time (thinking earlier), Excelsior did not use prefix letters in their serial numbers.

I measured some of my oval-shaped stays on a few frames; all roughly 0.60” x 0.90”.

 

[stezell]

I appreciate your knowledge Archie as many others do on here.

Thank you,
Sean

 

[cr250mark]

Early cabe post

 

[vincev]

what size wheels would this old Motobike have used ??....Any idea on the value ??