Pre-war Dayton frame & forks (As listed on Ebay)

[American Vintage Bicycle Supply]

I just scored a Dayton frame, sprocket, crank, sprocket, and front fender on ebay for $31. Just wondering if I got a good deal and if its really Pre-war?

See pics here
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi ... MEWNX%3AIT

 

[TheFlyingDingo]

i think you gots yourself a deal

 

[udallcustombikes]

Hit up 37fleetwood. He is the resident expert on these. He will prolly chime in anyway.

 

[outskirtscustoms]

I'd say for the $31 and $25 shipping you got a deal on it. Would make a very nice build and the patina looks great. Throw on some wheels and enjoy it.

 

[37fleetwood]

HI, thanks Cameron for pointing this thread out to me.
Double Nickle, what you have is an early postwar Dayton frame. they made that frame from somewhere in the mid 1940's until 1947, most of them are 1947's. there is no way to pin down the exact year that I know of. the fork is not original and it has been repainted. the crank is correct, the fender I'm not sure, but it looks like it may be correct. looking at the photo of the rear drop out it looks like the bike was originally Dayton's "Carmine Red". I have always held that any boys 26" frame is worth around $50.00 but recently the Huffman frames have gone a little higher, so you got a good deal. the badge should be worth $25-$45 the crank and sprocket $25-$30. I would expect what you got to go for about $75-$100 plus shipping.
if you have any more questions just ask.

 

[SimpleMan]

Starting in '47 Huffman was using the serial # system that they used all through the 50's and 60's. If it's a '47 the serial # will start with a 7H. If it's earlier it will have all #'s.

 

[American Vintage Bicycle Supply]

HI, thanks Cameron for pointing this thread out to me.
Double Nickle, what you have is an early postwar Dayton frame. they made that frame from somewhere in the mid 1940's until 1947, most of them are 1947's. there is no way to pin down the exact year that I know of. the fork is not original and it has been repainted. the crank is correct, the fender I'm not sure, but it looks like it may be correct. looking at the photo of the rear drop out it looks like the bike was originally Dayton's "Carmine Red". I have always held that any boys 26" frame is worth around $50.00 but recently the Huffman frames have gone a little higher, so you got a good deal. the badge should be worth $25-$45 the crank and sprocket $25-$30. I would expect what you got to go for about $75-$100 plus shipping.
if you have any more questions just ask.

Has the frame been repainted or is that its original paint?
Here is a good build of one
viewtopic.php?f=3&t=32948&start=0&st=0&sk=t&sd=a

 

[American Vintage Bicycle Supply]

How close is this to mine? I like that rear springer. I want one but where do I find them.
http://luxlow.com/bicycles/1939-dayton-twin-flex/

 

[Uncle Stretch]

Its funny when the guy that originally redid that TwinFlex ran it on Ebay , a few years back , it had a buy it now price of $2300. I wanted to buy it , just to have a rare perfectly done bike. They spent some bucks redoing it, and it really wasn't restored, but rebuilt . My brother and wife talked me out of it, saying it wouldn't keep its value , because its not restored. Since then the price on it has gone to $4300...he still hasn't sold it. I'm pretty sure its still in Golden Colorado. Was a nice bike though. As far as finding rear forks like it for yours....better have a bunch of money . Parts or complete bikes rarely come up and when they do they are very expensive.

 

[Dr. Tankenstein]

Man, I was looking at that auction myself! You know I have a soft spot for Huffman stuff (Huffy's, Daytons).
Nice score!

Cheers!
Dr. T

 

[Spokeshave]

I hear you, Dr. T ,I too was watching this auction.
Double, you got a square deal . Great score. How cool is that badge?

 

[SimpleMan]

The twin flex frames are completely different behind the seat tube to accept the springer. Being a Huffman collector myself I usually follow a lot of the Huffman auctions. I've seen 2 twin flex bare frames with only the rear suspension attached sell recently in the $450-$575 dollar range.

How close is this to mine? I like that rear springer. I want one but where do I find them.
http://luxlow.com/bicycles/1939-dayton-twin-flex/

 

[SCHWINNRAY69]

31 bucks :shock: :shock: :shock: :shock: :shock: :shock: You got a REAL deal

 

[37fleetwood]

Starting in '47 Huffman was using the serial # system that they used all through the 50's and 60's. If it's a '47 the serial # will start with a 7H. If it's earlier it will have all #'s.

I've never had a 1947 but I always assumed the new numbering system came in with the new frame style in 1948. if you're correct it would make identifying a 1947 frame very easy.

Has the frame been repainted or is that its original paint?
Here is a good build of one
http://www.ratrodbikes.com/forum/viewto ... &sk=t&sd=a

sorry for the confusion, your frame is repainted, I mentioned that in the photo of the rear drop out you can see the original red paint. interesting thing is inside the "D" in the badge you can see black paint. the bike most likely would have been Carmine red with black darts which wold be a very attractive combination.
as for the link, yes that frame is very like yours.

How close is this to mine? I like that rear springer. I want one but where do I find them.
http://luxlow.com/bicycles/1939-dayton-twin-flex/

actually not very. there are some key differences for the guy who knows between your frame and the Twin-Flex you showed. I've owned a couple Twin-Flex bikes and they look cool but don't really work that well. if you weren't too concerned about originality you could make yours a Twin-Flex but it would take a bit of time and talent. the rear of the Twin-Flexes are like a regular bike but the tubes are cut off short and that curved area plugged in and brazed on. the biggest giveaway that would be difficult to fix is that your bike has much more curve to the down tube. while we're on the topic, one of the easy ways to identify your bike versus the prewar Huffmans is the seat post binder. the prewar bikes have brazed on eyelets and the postwar have a more regular looking seat binder. Twin-Flexes were made from 1938 - 1940.

 

[American Vintage Bicycle Supply]

Anyone know where I can see some pics and read up on these types of bikes?

 

[Dr. Tankenstein]

Here's a start....
http://www.nostalgic.net/huffman.htm

 

[SimpleMan]

Starting in '47 Huffman was using the serial # system that they used all through the 50's and 60's. If it's a '47 the serial # will start with a 7H. If it's earlier it will have all #'s.

I've never had a 1947 but I always assumed the new numbering system came in with the new frame style in 1948. if you're correct it would make identifying a 1947 frame very easy.

I've owned three 47's and they were all 7H serial numbers on the old frame style. The bike I sold to Rusty513 is a 7H bike. Just a little info to add to your vast knowledge of these great bikes.

 

[37fleetwood]

Anyone know where I can see some pics and read up on these types of bikes?

you could take a look around my site, I'll answer any questions I can.
classicbicyclefanatics.com

 

[someguy83]

hey dub I saw your parts wanted post which made me want to see the frame you were working with. So I searched further to find this page. I know that 37fleetwood was a great help and his other site is also great for info there is a link to the site on his profile page. Being a new guy around here, I feel kinda flattered that a member who has been as active and has built the bike as you have would have reffered to or even looked at my post . Thanks. I look forward to seeing the progress on the build and was wondering in what direction were you going with it?

 

[American Vintage Bicycle Supply]

I look forward to seeing the progress on the build and was wondering in what direction were you going with it?

Some guy,

I was thinking RAT, just like every other bike i have ever built. I also have 1940's monark parts laying in my garage waiting to be put together so im not sure what project will come first. Im very busy with the Auction bike so it will be after christmas before and thing happens. Just stay tuned :lol: