Is this a 39 Roadmaster ? I GOT IT !

[Scribble]

The frame and paint look off, maybe just the weird photos. if it's a 39 is posted up locally for a descent price.

 

[Dr. Tankenstein]

I think it’s a late 40s, ha sure same frame and paint scheme as my 46.
Looks to be in great shape/completeness. If the price is right, I’d grab it. Mine is the nicest riding ride in my collection.

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[MazdaFlyer]

I have a ‘46-‘47 girls with the same wrap around chainguard. Frame looks like Cleveland Welding Co build.


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[RustyGold]

Is the downtube straight? I can't tell from the pics.

If it is a straight downtube with the pseudo looptail, it is a '40.
If it is a curved downtube '41+.
I think drop stand ears mean '49 or earlier.
The fender bridge looks pre-war.
I think that chainguard debuted in '41?
First year CWC springer...'39?

So...if straight downtube, I think '40...if curved, '41.

Jason

 

[RustyGold]

Well...change that. The intermediate tube on a '40 looks to be curved...so, I think that is a '41.

edit...or maybe I confused myself by looking at too many roadmasters too quickly. '40/'41....-ish

edit, part deux...I'm going with '41...it looks like the downtube has a slight curve, not the big belly curve of postwar roadmasters.

 

[RustyGold]

Did you get it, Scribble?

 

[Scribble]

Did you get it, Scribble?

The guys being really weird, and being a hour+ round trip from HQ has made this acquisition difficult.

 

[RustyGold]

Bummer...its a cool rig, good luck!

 

[RustyGold]

Unfortunately, weird and craigslist are often synonymous.

 

[deorman]

Unfortunately, weird and craigslist are often synonymous.

From either side of the equation.

 

[Scribble]

From either side of the equation.

Hahahahah true, I probably weird out people just as much as the next guy

 

[Scribble]

 

[Scribble]

Well what do you think, even if it's not exactly what the guy thought it was. I bought it for what the tires and fork are worth. So I can safely say I think I got a good deal. Rough guesstimate I think it's a 1940 to 41 CWC Western Flyer tall tank, with a Roadmaster badge glued on.

 

[RustyGold]

Great score, Scribble!

 

[Dr. Tankenstein]

Now that I see the complete side view, I change my opinion that it’s of similar age to mine.
I agree that it’s of 40-41 vintage, the ‘ears’ on the dropouts for the drop stand give it away.
In the end, you grabbed a really nice survivor.
I bet it will clean up nicely.

Cheers bro!


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[Phil Fink]

Weren’t the two-tone seats one year only?
There’s a chart showing “A” serial prefix may indicate 1942, a war year; bicycle production may have continued for a few months though.

 

[Rustinkerer]

The straight springer struts are a prewar thing. -Adam

 

[Flying Zombie]

'40, dropstand ears are pre 1947 which was the year they started back up,. It doesn't have the "CW" suffix which also began in Feb. Of '47 with "A". That said, they also built a few frames wartime and used them up before making newer frames post war. Some of those wartime made, post war sold had an odd conglomeration of parts unlike standard models shown in advertising.

It's a safe bet it's Prewar/wartime and not post, though there were similarities to the roadmasters of each. The wraparound aerodynamic guard being one of those traits. I had a '53 with the same style but the rear reflector is clearly different, a few brackets.. my seatpost clamp was Knuckled.. etc. And as Adam mentioned above, the straight twin springer as apposed to the barrel-style twin was a Prewar fixture only.

This is a sweet find and I know Chris and Buzz had a Black and White with red striping schemed one around this same era. A '41 if I'm not mistaken.
Can't remember his Username here to tag him into the convo. Either way, Fantastic bike!

Erin