Stelber bicycles? Any info?

[cave12man]

Just picked up this cool Stelber bike but have never heard of them. Anyone have any info? I want to fix her up but want to make sure I'm not destroying something valuable. I'm pretty sure it has a skiptooth (never dealt with one before) and I had a small problem with the stem when removing it. It broke off a bit down the fork and I'm at a loss on how to remove the broken bit. Help would be much appreciated.

 

[X-RAY]

looks like a skipper sprocket worn from running a regular chain. can u show us a shot of the rear sprocket?

 

[deorman]

I'd start by soaking it with penetrating oil for a couple of days. A slide hammer should pull it out, or perhaps you can get it loose by drifting it further down with small sledge.

 

[outskirtscustoms]

Yeah I'd say first step would be lube it up and try to work it back and forth with a rod and hammer.

 

[cave12man]

what would be the right type of chain?

rear hub:

hopefully i can get this thing loose. i'm used to stems that have the wedge at the bottom but this seems to be different than that, like the wedge is in the fork.

 

[deorman]

Chain=1/8"x1"pitch, garden variety "skiptooth". Not being manufactured, but it can be found. There's probably some in the Swap Meet forum if yours is toast. The wedge is conical, and splays out the bottom of the stem to keep it in place. I hate those :x .

 

[cave12man]

Cool I'll be on the look out for one. What's the best way to go about cleaning the frame for powdercoat? How bout the rims and spokes? I'll have to get a new stem too since the other one broke in two. Guess the chainring and everything else will need some cleaning too. Any chance on getting this back to a shine or would it be better to just pick a color or two and powdercoat everything?

 

[John c]

I could be completely off base here, but I don't think that is a stelber! That appears to be a 60's headbadge with rivets not to mention that the bottom bracket would be the clamp style and the chainring and cranks would be all one piece. According to the headbadge being 60's, it doesn't seem right that a 60's bike would have a skiptooth!
From what I see through pictures I would say that once upon a time somebody put a 60's stelber headbadge on a pre-war rollfast.
I could be totally wrong but that's what I see!

 

[cave12man]

I got the bike from my brother-in-law who got it from a guy on CL. According to him the bike dates to the 1940's, which would coincide with your pre-war thoughts. Kind of odd someone would put a headbadge on a bike that isn't that brand. Not doubting you, just odd.

How hard is it going to be to get some shiny new parts for this thing if I can't clean up the rest? Powdercoating is still an option.

 

[John c]

Yes it is odd! Is there a chance you could post a few pics of the bottom crank bracket? As for shiny new parts, I doubt you'll find any. I'd say start sanding! Lol!

 

[John c]

Gosh, now that I look at it, it sure looks like a schwinn frame! Are there numbers on it anywhere?

 

[deorman]

The frame design looks like a post-ww2 model to me. :|

 

[Rustinkerer]

Stelbers were made in Europe and had 3 piece cranks. That chainring is the D.P. Harris "H" piece, I'm inclined to think it's a Snyder built frame (they built bikes for Harris under the Rollfast badge as well as many Hawthornes and others) -Adam

 

[Wildcat]

If you can remove the headbadge, maybe you can see the outline of the original badge, if that one isn't it. The outline can shed some light on the make.

 

[John c]

Stelbers were made in Europe and had 3 piece cranks. That chainring is the D.P. Harris "H" piece, I'm inclined to think it's a Snyder built frame (they built bikes for Harris under the Rollfast badge as well as many Hawthornes and others) -Adam

That was my initial thought as well until I looked closer at the drop outs! Now I'm thinking it's a schwinn frame, D.P Harris chain ring and a stelber headbadge!

 

[cave12man]

wow definitely not what i expected! obviously you guys have waaaaaay more experience with this stuff than i do. now that you mention it though, it does kind of look like a schwinn frame. i'll try to remove the headbadge tonight (it was coming off anyway) and gets some more pics up. thanks for the help!

 

[Rustinkerer]

[quote="John c]
That was my initial thought as well until I looked closer at the drop outs! Now I'm thinking it's a schwinn frame, D.P Harris chain ring and a stelber headbadge![/quote]
Schwinn frames have little nubs on the dropouts w/a hole for fender braces, and the rear stays join the seat mast on either side, whereas this frame has no nubs, and the stays come together behind the seat mast. At least on all postwar Schwinn frames I've seen. -Adam

 

[John c]

[

Good call on the frame Adam, I was wrong! Thanks for the schoolin. :mrgreen:

 

[deorman]

Maybe this could be a Hawthorne? :?

 

[cave12man]

ok new updates for the stelber bike. quite a few pictures so hopefully they'll help figure this thing out. the rear hub is a new departure, the front hub only has a "U" in a shield, the front tire is a kenda and the back a lightning, it does have a skiptooth chain, and i;m pretty sure the fork is toast cause i can;t find a way to get the broken piece of fork out.

here's the pics:

these may or may not help...hopefully they do. if i can take anymore let me know.