Schwinn DX

[restodave]

I bought this off of a friend today. It's pretty complete, I have the front fender but one of the struts has snapped. I'll need to figure out some way to repair it because the repop struts are no where near the same gage. Does anyone know if the DX came in different trim levels or is this one missing the tank, carrier, etc?

 

[Couch tater]

Nice! Figure out the year by the serial number or the crank forging and find the online catalogs for the trim levels offered for that year. If it is badged other than Schwinn it might not match the catalogs.

Here is a fender stay I did a graft on using pop rivets. It was on a set of prewar peaked fenders so I didn't want to use later stays, it wouldn't have looked right. The same repair could be attempted with soldering and blended in with epoxy.

 

[JA331]

Nice bike in my favourite colour combo for that model. Check the serial number for year of manufacture and I'll see if I have any info in one of my books although I'm pretty sure the DX was available in different spec levels. Check the frame for marks indicating a tank may have been fitted at the factory. It looks to be original paint so check if the marks look to have been made by the tank being fitted to fresh paint.

 

[ifitsfreeitsforme]

I'm interested because I might be fixing up (something short of a proper restoration) a DX for the summer build off.

...and is it me, or does your walkway look like bicycle tire tread?

 

[restodave]

Nice bike in my favourite colour combo for that model. Check the serial number for year of manufacture and I'll see if I have any info in one of my books although I'm pretty sure the DX was available in different spec levels. Check the frame for marks indicating a tank may have been fitted at the factory. It looks to be original paint so check if the marks look to have been made by the tank being fitted to fresh paint.

My sleuthing had led to this:

• The serial is J66340 which puts it in '53.
• From the '53 catalog it looks like this is a Spitfire and I can see that there are at least two trim levels of that model.
• If the painted rims are original to the bike it would make it a base model because the Deluxe had chrome rims.
• I can't see any signs of wear from a tank.

One thing that has me scratching my head is that there are 2 small holes on the top of the top tube 6 to 8 inches back of the head tube. I don't think they're for attaching the tank so I'm stumped there.

Anything else you can tell me based on the serial number would be greatly appreciated.

 

[JA331]

My sleuthing had led to this:

• The serial is J66340 which puts it in '53.
• From the '53 catalog it looks like this is a Spitfire and I can see that there are at least two trim levels of that model.
• If the painted rims are original to the bike it would make it a base model because the Deluxe had chrome rims.
• I can't see any signs of wear from a tank.

View attachment 151341

One thing that has me scratching my head is that there are 2 small holes on the top of the top tube 6 to 8 inches back of the head tube. I don't think they're for attaching the tank so I'm stumped there.

Anything else you can tell me based on the serial number would be greatly appreciated.

Here you go mate.

 

[Just Jeff]

Earlier than 1953. If it was a ‘53 the serial number would be on the left rear drop out. I believe it’s actually a 1946. Neat bike.

 

[Wildcat]

Agreed, they switched to the dropout numbers in 1952, so it must be earlier than that. Pre 48 records were lost in a fire. The dropouts were changed after the war to face forward like yours, so it's 45 or later. 1948 was D and E, 49 had F and G, then H, starting over at A in 1951. No J is shown on the BB numbers on the list. So, it may have been right at the end of the war before they began the new numbers. It could be 46. Just guessing.
Sometimes the Schwinn cranks had the year in 2 digits stamped in the middle. That may shed some light on it.
Here's a 46 DX from the CABE website:

 

[JA331]

 

[Just Jeff]

Here is some compiled info from the CABE regarding the early post war serial numbers

 

[Wildcat]

That about nails it. 1946

 

[us56456712]

I bought this off of a friend today. It's pretty complete, I have the front fender but one of the struts has snapped. I'll need to figure out some way to repair it because the repop struts are no where near the same gage. Does anyone know if the DX came in different trim levels or is this one missing the tank, carrier, etc?

View attachment 151230

To repair the strut take a modern one and cut it off, drill pilot holes and screw it together with the original broken part with sheet metal screws and grind off the protruding parts of the sheet metal screws. If you can weld you can put a weld spot on the screws, but I have done this without welding.

 

[restodave]

Wow guys, that's great stuff. So it's a '46, and could have been either unequipped or "Standard equipped". I'll work as though it's unequipped for now and get that front fender on it, and repaint the chain guard.
Thanks everyone!