1940's? Sunshine

[p00r0ldlu]

I just picked up this twin bar Sunshine (made in Waterloo Ontario) on the weekend. The gentleman I bought it off of said it was from the 40's. I was looking for a build off bike and thought this would be a great start. He threw in a rear rack (with the jewelled reflector still intact). Does anyone know where I might be able to figure out the actual date? The serial number is on the seat tube (012916). I plan on picking up a tank and entering this May's build off. I just put a seat I had laying around the garage to get an idea for what kind of seat tube I want to use. Thanks for any information you might have about this old Sunshine.

 

[SCHWINNRAY69]

Nice find :wink:

 

[heyslugger]

Kinda looks like a Schwinn 9 hole rack, right? Enjoy it!

 

[Eclipse]

Those bikes are rare. I would keep it or sell it and get something more generic for a built off. This is a bike I would LOVE to have in my collection.

 

[HotRodRob]

I have had a few of those. As far as I know there is no way of telling the year by the serial number. Apparently the Sunshine Company only made bicycles for about 13 years ending in 1952. I have seen lots of them here for sale but then again I'm only 45 minutes from Kitchener where they were made. Unless it was an all nice original paint survivor, I would say rat it! Great build off bike!

 

[Eclipse]

I would love to own one of those. I've never seen one showing up around here so far. Still praying for one.

 

[Hsean]

I agree with Rob. In it's condition it's in it's a great candidate. I'm thinking of useing one of my monarks as a build off bike lol Even bigger sin!!!

 

[King Bongo]

I saw someone post on another site, that the "Sunshines bicycle line was only in business 10 or 11 years and never produced huge numbers in any of those years so I imagine they're pretty scarce."

I don't see them come up for sale very often. I would like to get my hands on one, and would probably try to keep it as original as possible as they are kind of rare, great find!

Sean

 

[Eclipse]

dito on Sean post

 

['48 Hawthorne]

They were built with a lot of parts from Schwinn, more the Shelby line, so you are good to go for parts. I might have a decent sprocket laying around for one of those.