Westfield Built Camelback (1934, maybe 1921)

[MazdaFlyer]

THIS THREAD WAS PREVIOUSLY LOCATED IN FRESH FINDS...It Evolved to a BUILD.

Westfield built “camelback”? Sadly repainted, wrong fenders. Aired up Wards Riverside Mate tires, they’re holding air, some weathering. I Adjusted bearings, pretty solid old bike, love the bars. The saddle is toast, needs a cover. It has a new stem bolt. Chain works with a couple of kinks to loosen up, New Departure hub power and braking.
The badge holes are located on the sides of whatever headbadge it once sported. I’ve never had a camelback frame so I had to play with this one for a while. I’ll probably clean it up, tweak the fenders, add some struts, replace a spoke and let it be what it is. The seller took my offer so here it is.

 

[A.S.BOLTNUT]

Looks like a cool rider.

 

[horsefarmer]

I would tweak the fenders into shape and add some more aggressive larger tires and ride it. It has a real nice motorcycle vibe to it. Nice find!

 

[MazdaFlyer]

Looks like a cool rider.

I tried a ride and things went well except for seat moving and bars moving down. It’ll get better with some work.

I would tweak the fenders into shape and add some more aggressive larger tires and ride it. It has a real nice motorcycle vibe to it. Nice find!

I added new fender stays. I’ve decide the bike was originally a 28” wheel job. The fenders on it are for 26” geometry and the frame has room for 28” fenders or wheels. I have a set of old style knobbies I may try on it. They will have a more width and a beefier appearance.

 

[MazdaFlyer]

I’ve added new fender struts and an old rack. The current fenders and wheels are 26”. With the void space at the fork and the seat stays bridge this bike frame was made for 28” wheels/tires. Hard to tell what it started with though. A little backward bend in fork. I’ll probably service bearings and do some cleanup.

 

[Flying Zombie]

Man, that sure is taking shape. I'm so glad you DID end up with that and watching it develop on Facebook as well has been a great pleasure.

Definitely a Keeper. If you need those fender soacers, keep me in mind!

 

[MazdaFlyer]

Man, that sure is taking shape. I'm so glad you DID end up with that and watching it develop on Facebook as well has been a great pleasure.

Definitely a Keeper. If you need those fender soacers, keep me in mind!

Thanks! You have a picture of the fenders spacers?
Another reason to believe this was a 28” tire bike is that the steerer tube is just an open hole at the bottom where the front fender would attach to the fork.


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[Flying Zombie]

Thanks! You have a picture of the fenders spacers?
Another reason to believe this was a 28” tire bike is that the steerer tube is just an open hole at the bottom where the front fender would attach to the fork.


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I'm certain you're right about the 28" factor. Far too much space between wheel and fender.

I can definitely get you pictures. They're nothing much to look at but original '36-'38 off a Snyder if I remember.

 

[MazdaFlyer]

I scraped off some paint and rust to find the SN.
Looks like “M89092”. Not sure that it fits the Columbia list on their web site?

Anyone out there have other SN lists?

It does have the Westfield Columbia Coffin style chainring. Would the 28” wheel frames still been used in ‘48?


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[Wildcat]

I always used the Mr. Columbia site, it's not working.

 

[MazdaFlyer]

I always used the Mr. Columbia site, it's not working.

Yes I tried it also. A Facebook friend says “M” is a code for 1934 and also 1921.
I don’t know when camelbacks first came out.

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[RustyGold]

Mr Columbia is calling it quits...there is action being taken, I believe, to transfer the content of that site to the cabe in some form or another. A bummer for sure.

Jason

 

[RustyGold]

This is the '34 info from Mr Columbia...there is no M8 on the list


1934......M..........."BB" code "A" (see 1936 - 1945)
Model M7......Superb Camel Back
Model M7B......Superb Camel Back Balloon
Model M9......Supeerb Motobike
Model M9T......Superb Motobike Equipped
Model M10B......Superb Woman's Balloon
Model M1......Superb Boy's Juvenile
Model M2......Superb Girls' Juvenile
Columbia Twinbar Airider....no Model designation
Model M9SD......Superb Special Delivery
Model M5......Superb Racer with fixed rear hub
Model M5CB......Superb Racer with coaster brake

...and as your facebook buddy indicated, the only other year that looks close is 1921...

1921.……M
Model M2...Men’s Superb
Model M1...Men’s Chainless
Model M5...Women’s Roadster
Model M4...Men’s Roadster
Model M8...Motobike
Model M7...Junior Roadster
Model MB…Military
Model M6...Arch Bar
Model M3...Racer

A cursory perusal through google images provided me with a '26 as the oldest camelback I could find. Hardly conclusive .

I did find this on thecabe...

...which, combined with the '34 catalog entry you found above...would seem to indicate you have a '34 .

Jason

 

[MazdaFlyer]

This is the '34 info from Mr Columbia...there is no M8 on the list


1934......M..........."BB" code "A" (see 1936 - 1945)
Model M7......Superb Camel Back
Model M7B......Superb Camel Back Balloon
Model M9......Supeerb Motobike
Model M9T......Superb Motobike Equipped
Model M10B......Superb Woman's Balloon
Model M1......Superb Boy's Juvenile
Model M2......Superb Girls' Juvenile
Columbia Twinbar Airider....no Model designation
Model M9SD......Superb Special Delivery
Model M5......Superb Racer with fixed rear hub
Model M5CB......Superb Racer with coaster brake

...and as your facebook buddy indicated, the only other year that looks close is 1921...

1921.……M
Model M2...Men’s Superb
Model M1...Men’s Chainless
Model M5...Women’s Roadster
Model M4...Men’s Roadster
Model M8...Motobike
Model M7...Junior Roadster
Model MB…Military
Model M6...Arch Bar
Model M3...Racer

A cursory perusal through google images provided me with a '26 as the oldest camelback I could find. Hardly conclusive .

I did find this on thecabe...

View attachment 84845
...which, combined with the '34 catalog entry you found above...would seem to indicate you have a '34 .

Jason

Hey thanks for the information “above and beyond the call to duty” RG.
The guy I bought the bike from found it at an estate sale. He thought it was a 20’s bike. Maybe the frame was.
I found a photo from 1921 of a boy with a Ranger hanging tank bike, aka camelback. So maybe the 1921 motorbike notation was a camelback with hanging tank.
Regardless the bike I have is pieced together. The wheels are mismatched. The fenders are newer adds. The bars could be 20’s. The saddle I don’t have a clue. The stem has the two flat sides on tightening bolt. The coffin chainring is 30’s-40’s I believe. The headbadge holes are on sides and level with each other. The later Columbia badge holes appear to be offset.
Then again it might have been badged as something else. I like the 1921 idea but 1934 works also.


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[MazdaFlyer]

From Columbia Bicycle Company.

“Just found a little more info for you.

1921.……M

Model M2...Men’s Superb

Model M1...Men’s Chainless
Model M5...Women’s Roadster
Model M4...Men’s Roadster

Model M8...Motobike (this would be yours)

Model M7...Junior Roadster
Model MB…Military
Model M6...Arch Bar
Model M3...Racer”

Now the question is, Were there camelback frames with hanging tanks that were called “Motobike”s?

 

[Flying Zombie]

I'd suspect so, this would be a good chance to Google some algorithms.
(Camelback Tank Bike, 1921 Camelback bicycle..etc..etc..) see what pops up!

 

[deorman]

Mr Columbia is calling it quits...there is action being taken, I believe, to transfer the content of that site to the cabe in some form or another. A bummer for sure.

Jason

I put a like on this, but I don't really like it. I sure hope his awesome info gets saved.

 

[MazdaFlyer]

Still nothing definitive on birth year, by the numbers “M8” it’s a either 1921 or 1934.
In the “M” codes for 1934 there is no “8” indication.
In the “M” codes for 1921 the “8” indicates “motorbike”.
In the stuff I found there are references to my frame style being a camelback, junior roadster and an arch back.
Attached are cut sheets for 1920, 1926 and 1935.

So camelback frames have been around since at least 1920.

 

[Flying Zombie]

Ya know, it kinda looks like my 1926 Christmas I sold a buddy. I'm getting it back before too long and I'll get photos for you.

 

[MazdaFlyer]

Experimented with a NOS hanging tank today.

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