Hello, Picked this up at an estate. I really know very little about vintage bikes. I was able to find very similar ones with a rocket on the tank. I would love some help with year, model, value, etc. Thanks
Western Flyer Help and Identification
- Thread starter Stacey Maslyn
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Welcome newest member.
A Huffman-built "fits-sooner safety-frame" of about ~1949 to ~1958.
These were often middle weight bikes with 26 x 1.75" MW tires.
The 8H in the serial # may reflect a 1958; (not sure if there was a 1948).
Huffman was the builder (later Huffy).
Western Auto was the store that sold them.
Tanks alone are "listed" for $200, (not sure what they actually sell for).
I have a rusty 1958 in the more "flamboyant" (metallic) red paint color; (paid less than $200).
Your bike looks to mostly be all about there, less sheet metal fenders, chain guard, and rear rack. Front fork is backwards and missing truss rods.
In 1957, Huffman introduced a then-new cantilevered frame which superseded this model; (perhaps a Schwinn design patent expired).
Maybe another member may comment on the 'bat-mobile' versus 'drag-racer' artwork on the tanks. Cool white grips - if marked "Western Flyer".
http://www.nostalgic.net/1948-huffman-catalog
A Huffman-built "fits-sooner safety-frame" of about ~1949 to ~1958.
These were often middle weight bikes with 26 x 1.75" MW tires.
The 8H in the serial # may reflect a 1958; (not sure if there was a 1948).
Huffman was the builder (later Huffy).
Western Auto was the store that sold them.
Tanks alone are "listed" for $200, (not sure what they actually sell for).
I have a rusty 1958 in the more "flamboyant" (metallic) red paint color; (paid less than $200).
Your bike looks to mostly be all about there, less sheet metal fenders, chain guard, and rear rack. Front fork is backwards and missing truss rods.
In 1957, Huffman introduced a then-new cantilevered frame which superseded this model; (perhaps a Schwinn design patent expired).
Maybe another member may comment on the 'bat-mobile' versus 'drag-racer' artwork on the tanks. Cool white grips - if marked "Western Flyer".
http://www.nostalgic.net/1948-huffman-catalog
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So when listing it for sale should I call it a 18" bike?
Since they only offered one (full) size for boys and men, I would just call it a 26" bicycle based on the tire/wheel size; it is an 18" frame, (but that may confuse some).
The "fits-sooner" and 18" means that some taller adults may find the bicycle a bit on the short side and have to raise the seat post, (but that's only a tall-people's problem).
