Balloonatic
Riding my '39 Silver King 26X
I recently acquired a 1937 (or maybe '38?) M-137 "Wingbar" Silver King, it's my first prewar Monark. I do own two postwar Hextubes, but aside from my Gumby Green, '50s Firestone Super Cruiser (sold a few years ago), I don't have any experience with Monarks, especially the prewar bikes like the Wingbar, 26X, Flocycle, etc.
The bike on its way to me is badged "Wards Hawthorne" which has prompted me to look into the difference between Monark Silver King wingbars, and Wards Duralium Silver Streak bikes? I can see from the ads that the Wards bike doesn't have a rack?
Does anyone know any other details that differentiate the two bikes besides head badge and rack (or no rack)?
I'll admit, I'm a bit confused as to why Monark would "private label" that bike to Wards, it was a very unique and identifiable bike design, one would think they would want to sell their brand, is anyone here privy to info. on how/why Wards was able to offer this bike under their own badge?
Please forgive me if this topic has been covered before... links are welcome.
Thanks!
The bike on its way to me is badged "Wards Hawthorne" which has prompted me to look into the difference between Monark Silver King wingbars, and Wards Duralium Silver Streak bikes? I can see from the ads that the Wards bike doesn't have a rack?
Does anyone know any other details that differentiate the two bikes besides head badge and rack (or no rack)?
I'll admit, I'm a bit confused as to why Monark would "private label" that bike to Wards, it was a very unique and identifiable bike design, one would think they would want to sell their brand, is anyone here privy to info. on how/why Wards was able to offer this bike under their own badge?
Please forgive me if this topic has been covered before... links are welcome.
Thanks!