Well, I’m going to jump into this build. About a year ago I found something beautiful sitting in the rafters of an antique/junk store in Omaha, Nebraska. Like a fish to a lure it was a beacon drawing my eyes to its frame. I first noticed the lines on this steel beast; specifically, I fell in love with how the seat stay came off of the seat tube, the art deco chain guard, the double barred top tube and of course how the rim/tire was swaddled in duct tape was pretty spectacular! The frame had years of age patina, a combination of grime and flaked paint that made me smile even more. I had to ask for a ladder in order to get a closer look. From here I noticed the head badge had plenty of potential, some genius many years before had spray painted the frame silver and this process covered the head badge. The badge read “Marshall-Wells Zenith,” I stepped off the ladder, spoke with the owner and asked what the price was. I was informed that each booth was owned by an individual and he thought it was for sale. I offered him a price of $35.00 to pass along to the owner. I was laughed at and informed that he would speak with the owner but doubted that would be enough. A week and $35.00 later…….it was mine.
I locked him into my roof rack and went home. I wanted to know more about it, and I was surprised to find little to no information about “Zenith’s” online. I’ve read what I could find online and it
apparently was made by CCM (yeah the hockey company) for Marshall-Wells hardware stores. Based on the serial number it is apparently a 1922 Zenith (This is based on what little research I have
accomplished and if you have more info….sock it to me!!). When I started tearing into it I realized that the rear hub, rims, seat and chain were all garbage. Disassembled it down to the frame and there he sat for about a year. I had a vision and I slowly acquired parts over the year and a half….now it’s ready to come together. Let’s see where it takes me.
Just a side note: I have retained all spare parts of this bike as you all know one can’t just run out and find awesome old school parts like this, and I am a hoarder!
I locked him into my roof rack and went home. I wanted to know more about it, and I was surprised to find little to no information about “Zenith’s” online. I’ve read what I could find online and it
apparently was made by CCM (yeah the hockey company) for Marshall-Wells hardware stores. Based on the serial number it is apparently a 1922 Zenith (This is based on what little research I have
accomplished and if you have more info….sock it to me!!). When I started tearing into it I realized that the rear hub, rims, seat and chain were all garbage. Disassembled it down to the frame and there he sat for about a year. I had a vision and I slowly acquired parts over the year and a half….now it’s ready to come together. Let’s see where it takes me.
Just a side note: I have retained all spare parts of this bike as you all know one can’t just run out and find awesome old school parts like this, and I am a hoarder!
I wanted to make this a 7 or 8 speed so I can put some miles on it, and I loves me some gears! I dropped in my bottom bracket adapter, put the Origin 8 crank on, attached my springer fork, found a stem that I HATE....put that and the apes on and I dropped the brooks into place. Oh, I almost forgot that I found some awesome nasty used white wall Kenda's for the shoes. Below are the pictures of todays progress. 
