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- Apr 26, 2020
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I slammed this ‘39 Roadmaster 4 gill together over the past 2 days.
I set aside the original shockmaster fork and used a rigid swan fork of the same era so I could compare how it rode to my other bikes.
The wheels came with a bargain cruiser I picked up early this year for $30. The rims are Japanese Arayas laced to a Joytec front hub and 7 speed nexus coaster. The Taiwanese dog leg crank came off a parts bike as did the 44t sprocket. I wasn’t aware it was possible to fit a sprocket of this size to a cwc frame with the upswept chain stays as I read the chain would rub, but it all works fine. I have a 24t skiptooth sprocket on the way and will swap it later. I splurged on a pair of S&M 26 x 2.4 speedballs which I have on 2 other bikes that I own. The latest versions are rated at 70psi rather than 110psi but i’ve found pumping them to 60psi is more than enough.
The fenders, chainguard and truss rods are from a ‘47 cwc ladies bike. I had to cut some extra thread on the rods and then shorten them by the same amount. I used the seat and solid stainless post off my other Roadmaster.
I’m amazed how this thing rides with a frame and fork that was designed over 80 years ago. The geometry feels modern obviously helped by the taller and more upright head tube and it feels roomy like my 2012 Kos and Red Menace. The taller bars contribute to the feel but the same bars on my ‘36 Schwinn made no difference. That bike still felt small and it steered like a chopper.
The white repaint on the frame is very ordinary and I think I’ll have a crack in the future at doing a patina finish which matches the fenders and chainguard. For now I am just going to put some miles on it and enjoy it.
I bought the frame, fork, headlight and a few other parts from the bike above which was parted out.
Originally the bike may have looked similar to the one below. I found black paint inside the bottom bracket when i replaced the bearings.
I set aside the original shockmaster fork and used a rigid swan fork of the same era so I could compare how it rode to my other bikes.
The wheels came with a bargain cruiser I picked up early this year for $30. The rims are Japanese Arayas laced to a Joytec front hub and 7 speed nexus coaster. The Taiwanese dog leg crank came off a parts bike as did the 44t sprocket. I wasn’t aware it was possible to fit a sprocket of this size to a cwc frame with the upswept chain stays as I read the chain would rub, but it all works fine. I have a 24t skiptooth sprocket on the way and will swap it later. I splurged on a pair of S&M 26 x 2.4 speedballs which I have on 2 other bikes that I own. The latest versions are rated at 70psi rather than 110psi but i’ve found pumping them to 60psi is more than enough.
The fenders, chainguard and truss rods are from a ‘47 cwc ladies bike. I had to cut some extra thread on the rods and then shorten them by the same amount. I used the seat and solid stainless post off my other Roadmaster.
I’m amazed how this thing rides with a frame and fork that was designed over 80 years ago. The geometry feels modern obviously helped by the taller and more upright head tube and it feels roomy like my 2012 Kos and Red Menace. The taller bars contribute to the feel but the same bars on my ‘36 Schwinn made no difference. That bike still felt small and it steered like a chopper.
The white repaint on the frame is very ordinary and I think I’ll have a crack in the future at doing a patina finish which matches the fenders and chainguard. For now I am just going to put some miles on it and enjoy it.
I bought the frame, fork, headlight and a few other parts from the bike above which was parted out.
Originally the bike may have looked similar to the one below. I found black paint inside the bottom bracket when i replaced the bearings.