Schwinn autocycle frame
- Thread starter gforcepdx
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8G is 1958 by my list.
The 58 price list doesn't show an Autocycle. Can we see more of the bike?
The 58 price list doesn't show an Autocycle. Can we see more of the bike?
That frame with no cantilevers is a Flying Star. That's the only frame of that style without the cantilevers. Most Schwinn middleweight frames had cantilevers. They weren't cut off as the seat stays look factory where they end.
The 58 catalog isn't all there, but here's a 56 illustration:
The 58 catalog isn't all there, but here's a 56 illustration:
If you examine the photos closely you will see the marks on the frame where the cantilever bar used to be. One of the photos has my gloved finger pointing to the mark on the frame. The other mark should be just below the seat post if you look closely. I should have pointed that out.
Look closely where my gloved finger is pointing on the left. This is on an inverted frame. You can see the mark from the first bar.
Next, look closely at the photo on the right. You will see an outer circular mark where the weld broke. You will see this around a hole in the frame. Not sure why the hole is there. Just use it to locate the mark.
Keep in mind that both of these marks on the frame are on an inverted bicycle. I'm pretty sure this bike is the model I stated. I just wasn't sure about the date. I tried looking it up on a Schwinn serial number chart that I ran across and couldn't find anything with a number starting before the letter. Everything I saw on this other chart started with a letter and then had a number after that. That's what through me off and why I came here.
Look closely where my gloved finger is pointing on the left. This is on an inverted frame. You can see the mark from the first bar.
Next, look closely at the photo on the right. You will see an outer circular mark where the weld broke. You will see this around a hole in the frame. Not sure why the hole is there. Just use it to locate the mark.
Keep in mind that both of these marks on the frame are on an inverted bicycle. I'm pretty sure this bike is the model I stated. I just wasn't sure about the date. I tried looking it up on a Schwinn serial number chart that I ran across and couldn't find anything with a number starting before the letter. Everything I saw on this other chart started with a letter and then had a number after that. That's what through me off and why I came here.
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I see. It's a straightbar frame. Here's a 58 Schwinn frame (made Oct 10) on BMXmuseum page:
https://bmxmuseum.com/forsale/524256
In 57 and 58, Schwinn used a different type of serial for some unknown reason, then went back to letter first later numbers in 1958. Your bike was made Feb 05. 1958. Here's the data from the CABE:
https://thecabe.com/serial-numbers/schwinn-serial-numbers-1952-1969/
So it is probably a Tornado.
https://bmxmuseum.com/forsale/524256
In 57 and 58, Schwinn used a different type of serial for some unknown reason, then went back to letter first later numbers in 1958. Your bike was made Feb 05. 1958. Here's the data from the CABE:
https://thecabe.com/serial-numbers/schwinn-serial-numbers-1952-1969/
So it is probably a Tornado.
Thank you very much. I'm ordering a set of thickslicks today to mount to my 26 in mountain bike wheels. I'm looking for one of those ridiculously oversprung Brooks leather seats too. I'm not sure what the paint scheme is going to be, but I'm curious what you think I might do about the bar.
I like the shape of the bike without the bar, that's the way it came to me. But I also have the opportunity to weld in it's replacement. There are things you can do once you've got that second bar down there that are kind of cool. Signage, a faux gas tank, and I believe someone actually makes some sort of aftermarket place where you can stash things like patches and tire tools as well.
Would you replace the bar? Or just paint it as is? At this time I'm on the fence. Also what sort of Steel were these frames made from? Where would I go to find a replacement I wonder?
I like the shape of the bike without the bar, that's the way it came to me. But I also have the opportunity to weld in it's replacement. There are things you can do once you've got that second bar down there that are kind of cool. Signage, a faux gas tank, and I believe someone actually makes some sort of aftermarket place where you can stash things like patches and tire tools as well.
Would you replace the bar? Or just paint it as is? At this time I'm on the fence. Also what sort of Steel were these frames made from? Where would I go to find a replacement I wonder?
The Flying Star didn't have a bar, so I think the frame is strong enough without it, but I would put a bar in there just for looks. It would have to be shaped to fit, then get welded or brazed in. I'd have a shop do that, but it might be costly.
I'm still on the hunt for a frame like that over here.
I'm still on the hunt for a frame like that over here.
I've looked up two of those three bikes you just mentioned though, and those are all double bar. If you look at my frame again you will see that I do not have weld marks on the side of my frame. I have a single weld Mark in the center of my frame. So I had a single bar, which we couldn't see from a side view.
Seriously? Are they that hard to find? Expensive? I thought I saw a few of these frames around. I just want a bike to ride but I like the styling of old Schwinns. As far as putting the bar in I could probably do that myself. I've got welding equipment but yeah, I understand to do it properly these things should be braised.
I am remembering now something I heard about this Frame years ago when I first picked it up. Someone said that Sears made bicycles for third parties. Automotive parts dealerships and companies like Sears. Let those bikes were slightly different in design. Maybe that's what I've got. Maybe that's why it has a single bar instead of two.
If you look at those three photos I just posted, this is what I came here believing I had. Autocycle has one single bar in the center. Also if you look at the chain guard on those examples it matches mine precisely. So now that I've had time to think about it I believe I've got an auto cycle and that you were able to help me nail the date which is really why I came here.
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Back then bikes were branded by department stores and hardware stores, like Sears, Penneys, and Montgomery Wards and Firestone to name a few. Gambles hardware also. Sometimes they had a brand name, like Sears had J C Higgins, Penneys had Foremost and Montgomery Wards also had names for bikes. But all the bikes were made by the big bike compoanies, Murray, Rollfast ( Snyder), Roadmaster (CWC), Columbia, Huffy, and Schwinn. Sometimes they had different paint jobs but were the same bikes.
The Autocycle was only made until 1952. With your chain wheel, I think it's a Tornado.
Here's a 58 Tornado:
Here's a 58 Tornado:
So you're saying that the autocycle became the tornado basically. I was Finding a lot more aftermarket examples of an auto cycle frame tank. I haven't found anything for the tornado. Maybe I could try to Fab one.
But I think you're right
Here's a 1960 Deluxe Tornado. It's the twin bar frame but about the same dimensions as the straightbar frame.
