1936 Elgin Moto Balloon with Triple Steps and Curved Fenders

[kingfish254]

Got an awesome lead from @Wildcat . Even though he now lives in the Philippines, he still keeps an eye on the JAX craigslist. He found this baby buried in the Antiques section and gave me a heads up.
Really cool complete prewar Elgin Moto with 26" triple step wheels and flared front fender. Great cross brace bars and longspring saddles too. THANKS BARRY!!

Is there an Elgin serial lookup somewhere? A101519
Any info on this would be appreciated.
It also has grease fittings at the BB and headtube.

 

[G-Matt]

Cool bike great lead . I race ya there lol


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[kingfish254]

Cool bike great lead . I race ya there lol


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Too late, it's already paid for!

 

[G-Matt]

Dam you did you get a deal


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[kingfish254]

Found this great looking example that @yeshoney used to own.
Cool to see what my moto balloon could have looked like.

 

[G-Matt]

Nice bike ! Love that chain guard


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[kingfish254]

I have an aluminum one with tapered holes that I still have found the right build for.

 

[Wildcat]

If that's Westfield, then it's a 36 model.
A thread with that bike of yeshoney's (serial is close to yours) and some good info:

http://thecabe.com/forum/threads/prewar-elgin-find-year-have-serial-and-pics.5081/

 

[deorman]

Sweeet!

 

[kingfish254]

Yeah, it's a 1936 Elgin manufactured by Westfield.
http://www.vintagecolumbiabikes.com/id79.html

 

[kingfish254]

Found the 1936 Seats Spring/Summer Catalog
EDIT: Looks like it's the model on the lower left of the page.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/zazdatabaz/sets/72157627654115408/

 

[Wildcat]

Any hope for original paint under all that crud?

 

[kingfish254]

Any hope for original paint under all that crud?

I really don't know yet. It's gonna be a few weeks before I get down there to pick it up. I really like the darts on the one that yeshoney had. These only came in red or black.
I also really like the double stripes on the fender edges too.

 

[Wildcat]

It states the Oriole has stainless fenders. The low priced special looks like the same exact bike, only painted fenders and chrome seat springs.
21 bucks in 1936 is a 360 dollar bike today.

 

[kingfish254]

It states the Oriole has stainless fenders. The low priced special looks like the same exact bike, only painted fenders and chrome seat springs.
21 bucks in 1936 is a 360 dollar bike today.

Good eye, I didn't catch that in the ad. I think you are correct and it's the model in the lower left of the ad and not the Oriole.
One difference I notice is while my serial indicates 1936, I have the V headbadge and not the slanted Elgin headbadge shown in the ad.

 

[BARTO]

SCORE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Good for you man!

 

[A.S.BOLTNUT]

Nice score, that bike stall getting full ?

~ Rafael ~

 

[LukeTheJoker]

Nice buying!

Luke.

 

[Jay K]

Love the chain guard


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[RustySprockets]

Ooo! I think we may have an Elgin Swallow at the co-op. I'll have to check it more closely when next I'm there. That catalog page will certainly help with identification.

That Alamite grease gun would be a real trophy!