My Neighbors 1939 Montgomery Wards

[BigE]

Here's his latest project. Everyone around here has a motorized bike, let the rest of the World catch up. And EVERYONE is custom home built.

 

[bairdco]

that's pretty cool, but what makes it a 1939?

 

[BigE]

A 1939 Montgomery Wards bike is what he started with. It has been modified to say the least.
He did re-spoked a Sturmey Archer 3-Speed with Coaster Brake in the rear.
And the 3 speed only works while peddling but it is shifted with the suicide shifter. He rounded the engine and that's a Tabasco bottle for a boost bottle.
The front forks and seat are original 39MW the frame was modded and he added disk brakes on the front and side care. That's about all I know off the top of my head.

 

[BigE]

That's the original headlight too.

 

[bairdco]

ok. not trying to be a jerk, and i said, it's a cool lookin' bike, but it's nowhere near 1939.

i've been a bike collector for years. and there were no bikes with oversized downtubes, reflector pedals, 1"chains... (there's more subtle details i could point out...) made in 1939.

it's a modern, cheap cruiser.

again, i gotta say, it's a cool build, but i just believe in being honest....

 

[azbill]

the side hack is pretty damn cool !!!
I like it, no matter what year it is

 

[charliechaindrive.]

Yeah... I agree with baird, there's no way that can be from 39. I hope he didn't pay a lot for it. Anything more than 50$ even with that fork would be too much in my book. (Not trying to be a jerk). And the frameis smilar to my schwinn jaguar 7 speed, walmart bike.

 

[BigE]

I've been a bike collector for years. and there were no bikes with oversized downtubes, reflector pedals, 1"chains... (there's more subtle details i could point out...) made in 1939.

As I said the frame was modified but the front forks were not with the exception of added disk brakes. I NEVER said it was original, I never said the pedals were original, I know there not. I said he started with a 39MW and he did. If you don't know that the springer front end is original 39MW then, you just don't know.

 

[BigE]

As mentioned in the 1939 Montgomery Ward catalog, this bike was available with a “Shockmaster” springer fork or 3-plate crown truss fork. The one he has has the Shockmaster.
I'll post pictures of a 39MW front end and a 39 MW. Let everyone judge for themselves.
Compare them with the pictures of his bike.

 

[bairdco]

yup, some of the parts are old, i'll give you that.

anyways, like i said, it's a cool bike. and i'm actually glad he didn't chop up and weld on a 1939 frame for the sidehack...

 

[kavid2012]

Wow best sidecar setup i have ever seen!!
With the disc brake too!
Very nice!
I hope you put someone around on that thing and cruise together!

 

[Russell]

Great craftsmanship!