1949 Girls Schwinn build questions

[LowNSlow]

Alright knowledgeable forum gurus....I'm looking to build a matching girls version of my recent Schwinn straight bar build for my wife. I have a perfect 26" 1949 blank Schwinn girls frame in original paint as the starting point, but I have a few questions. Did a '49 like this come with a skip tooth chain set-up? (I would rather not have to do skip tooth to save time and money here, but mostly curious) What size of front forks do I need for this? (are they the same as a boys version of similar year?) I have a nice set of truss rods already, but not apposed to a springer if I can find one reasonably. Thanks in advance for any and all help that anyone can offer!!

Jay H.

The frame...

 

[The Black Monark]

Howdy, Jay! The fork should be the same as a mens.
Not sure on the chainring being 1" or 1/2" pitch originally, but since you're building it up, go with whatever you prefer.
The 1/2" will be less $.
It appears that the frame is bent though. Might just be the picture, but the seat tube looks pushed back a bit, and the down tubes don't look quite right...?

 

[Crassly]

If you are perhaps interested, I have a Schwinn girls balloon tire frame with fork, fenders, kickstand, stem and bars.

http://i1125.photobucket.com/albums/l58 ... 0d31bf.jpg

 

[deorman]

They started using 1/2" years earlier on lightweights. '40s catalogs depict both in use on different models. I think Schwinns were mostly if not all 1/2"x1/8" by '49, but I"m not absolutely certain. http://www.trfindley.com/flschwinn_1941 ... 6b_09.html

 

[The Black Monark]

Schwinn used 1" pitch on bikes well into the 1950s. The Panther is one example.
1/2" pitch was a premium feature, ie: Phantom.

 

[LowNSlow]

It appears that the frame is bent though. Might just be the picture, but the seat tube looks pushed back a bit, and the down tubes don't look quite right...?

You know what? You could be right! I'll have to put the frame in my stand and see if I can make out whether or not it's bent! Good catch! I just got the frame and hadn't looked that closely. Thanks for all the info!!!

Jay H.