Help ! Can anyone tell me what this bike is ? Ideas ?

beemartin · May 20, 2015

I picked up this bike last week and can find no identifying marks on it . No head badge and the serial number is all numbers :
1299574 with a small A above and to the left . Skip tooth with sweetheart chain ring . Looks like newer troxel seat an missing front struts . New Departure class D hubs. Any ideas ? I am an newbie so I am hoping someone can help me out .

B607 · May 23, 2015

I don't have a clue but I like it! Great start to a project or build. Gary

beemartin · May 23, 2015

Thanks , I tore the bike down this week and found no identifying clues other than the crank is stamped SMB with an A on the reverse side . Several posts indicate that SMB is a Shelby bike company stamp . That seems to jive with the internet search I have been on .

Rustinkerer · May 23, 2015

That chain ring, guard, and big #'s all point to Shelby, you're definitely on the right track! -Adam

beemartin · May 23, 2015

Thanks Gary , I tore the bike down this weekend and found no clues except that the crank arm is stamped SMB with a A on the reverse . Several post on this forum say that SMB stands for Shelby Moto Bikes or Shelby Manufacturing for sure . Found some good pictures on the internet and this forum that lead me to believe this is Shelby made frame .
The blue bike is a late 1930s western flyer made with same sweetheart style chainring and frame made by Shelby

the red bike is a
late 30s Cadilac badged Shelby, also same sweetheart style chairing and frame . I Think I have a late 30s Shelby . Any more info out there ? I stripped the frame and took it to my auto body paint guy and willl post pics next week when I get it back .