pictures of your 40's-50's cruisers

mpr455 · #1 (**permalink**) 10-12-2009, 11:21 PM

hey guy's i would like to start a thread featuring 40's-50's cruiser builds. lets see your schwinn, jc higgins, and my favorite the monark. elgins and excelsior are all welcome here. i love the board track builds but i think us ballon tire guys haven't got alot of press lately from what i have seen. here is my 55 monark rocket. i getting close to getting it running. i've got to finish the gas tank and a few other odds and ends. lets see what you guys got. I'am looking forward to it-big mike

NEAT TIMES · #2 (**permalink**) 10-12-2009, 11:50 PM

Mpr, The Motor Looks Natural In There, Don`t You Think. Very Nice. Looks Like A Little Extra Room For The Motor Mounts, Have You Got That Solved Yet. Hard To Find Bikes Like That, Looks Solid And Straight. Ron

NEAT TIMES · #3 (**permalink**) 10-12-2009, 11:53 PM

Mpr, I See You Have Jim`s Sprocket Set. Is That Part Of His Motor Mount Holding The Motor In?? Ron

bairdco · #4 (**permalink**) 10-13-2009, 12:12 AM

nice set-up. i'm totally into the old cruisers.

here's my 1956 columbia / goodyear hi-way patrol special.

i've got an original tank coming, and i'm building a tube-type gas tank to go inside of it, so i can get rid of my custom-smashed peanut gas-dripper...

MotorbikeMike · #5 (**permalink**) 10-13-2009, 01:29 AM

Hi, I built this lil bike for my wife, and we had taken it to Orange County where she rode it in a Moped Ride. I took this pic at her Mom's house 2-1-2004 I have always like the style of the Cleveland Welding bikes.

I think this is a Roadmaster 24" from 1946-1953 but have not run the serial numbers. It was a Primered frame and fork when I found it in the "parts pile" of a bike shop, it was $40.00. I found the rear fender there later for another 10.00. The crank and sprocket were on it, and I never replaced them.

There was no orig paint showing, and the "fender trim" I did is more Schwinn style, than Roadmaster, BUT I preferred the look, and it was easy to rattle-can.

I'll post a couple of other bikes a bit later if you-all would like to see them.

Mike

bairdco · #6 (**permalink**) 10-13-2009, 04:57 AM

that is a nice looking bike. i'd go so far as to calling it "pretty."

silverbear · #7 (**permalink**) 10-13-2009, 09:28 AM

Good thread. I'll be posting a good deal later when I have engines installed sometime this winter. One is a 50 Schwinn Mens Hornet and the other is a 39 Elgin step through. I guess my 63 Americans are too new for this thread... technically middleweights, but now sporting 2.125 heavy duty wheels. I think these old 30's to 50's cruisers are the most natural fit for a motor conversion... heavy frames, fat tires and made to last. Plus, they just plain look good. Mike, I like that 24 incher you made for your wife. Looks like there was plenty of room for the engine to fit. I will be on the lookout for one. Generally a 24" model will sell for less than a 26" in the same condition. That's a plus.
SB

mpr455 · #8 (**permalink**) 10-13-2009, 01:24 PM

ron, the sprocket set and motormounts are all machined by me although i can't take credit for the designs. that was brainstormed after going through several posts on the forum. motormount in front is machined from 7075 aluminum. the rear is 4130 steel. the sprocket set is made from 6061 aluminum with stainless steel hardware replacing the chinese hardware. tank will be machined from 6061 as well and will fit inside stock tank. should be cool when finished.

Venice Motor Bikes · #9 (**permalink**) 10-13-2009, 01:36 PM

Here's my current favorite ride... My 1950 Schwinn Heavyweight Phantom with a real old school Schwinn springer fork that's been flipped for rake.
It's far from stock looking, but it's the 'real deal'!!

NEAT TIMES · #10 (**permalink**) 10-13-2009, 01:37 PM

Mpr, Cool That You Can Do All That. Everytime I Assume Something, I Get Caught!! Jim Lost One Atta Boy! I Think He Can Spare It. Ron