What did I get besides rust?

[pkh1974]

I just picked up this Schwinn balloon tire bike today. Not sure exactly what it is.
Serial number appears to be B99164.
Previous owner thought it was factory set up for a whizzer motor with the heavy duty spokes and the way the frame is made.
This has the ultra cool plane & train head badge.
If anyone knows what year this is or what model it is I would like to know.
Also I need a tank...is this one correct for this bike?
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-Late-40 ... 1c3488aa53
Thanks in advanced.
Pat

 

[Wildcat]

52 or 57, some numbers repeated. Was the number on the dropout or BB? That tank will fit, if it came off a 26" bike and yours is 26".

 

[pkh1974]

The number is on the BB.
It is a 26"

 

[dougfisk]

Older than 52, probably late 40's. High end bike, all deluxe parts. Nice find.

What about the frame says whizzer? I am not seeing that.

 

[pkh1974]

He pointed out that the frame had this dimple in it which he claims would have been set up for a whizzer. But I don't know what he knows about bikes. He also told me this was a pre war bike which it clearly is not.
Look for the red arrow.

 

[dougfisk]

OK, now I see... isn't there something strange going on with that rear fender left side toward front, some kind of relief?

 

[Wildcat]

Yes, mid to late 40's since the serial is on the BB, but the records before 48 were burned, so it's a guess going by the first letter, if the years before 48 went in the same order. 48 began with D, so your's is at least a year earlier. That indentation is right where the hoop for the whizzer drive belt goes in the wheel.

 

[pkh1974]

I will try to get the crank pulled on this sometime this weekend. Then I will know for sure.

 

[Sphinx]

I believe you have a Whizzer WZ framed bike. Here's some Data that might prove useful. Is there a welded on piece for the brake arm to attach to? Also the extra brazing or welding near the seat tube, I think was indicative of being meant for frame strengthening.

http://thecabe.com/vbulletin/showthread ... -bike-info

 

[pkh1974]

I don't see anything welded for the brake but I do see where the frame has been strengthened by the seat post. I will get a picture of that later. The rack has six holes also.

 

[Sphinx]

Lot's of cool Whizzer Info on this site for you. Enjoy!
http://www.motoredbikes.com/forum.php

 

[Sphinx]

Inspiration!

 

[Sphinx]

 

[Sphinx]

Here's a pic of the Brake Strap I was talking about earlier. There was a problem with the brakes being set up in the traditional way a bicycle was set up.

 

[B607]

Schwinn/Whizzer frames have a WZ serial number prefix. That looks like it started out a standard B6. Tank removed and deluxe guard switched to accommodate whizzer parts. You could make one cool rat whizzer out of the thing. Get a motor! Gary

 

[pkh1974]

Thanks for the links.
Even though adding a motor would be fun I don't think it's in my budget.
I will keep it rusty for now. Who knows maybe sometime in the future I will do more with this bike.
I did see a 1946 whizzer motor on eBay.

 

[Jpromo]

Such a sweet bike, even if it didn't start life as a motored bike. I'd agree that the wheels were switched out from a Whizzer bike as well since Schwinn used drop center rims before 1948 with the introduction of the S-2.

Also, it may be the angle of the picture but it looks like you have the famous tapered kickstand that is indicative of 1946 only.

 

[Sphinx]

Yes, the tank would be perfect for your bike.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-Late-40 ... 1c3488aa53

 

[pkh1974]

I was watching ↑ tank but it got too expensive.
I did get some work done on this bike tonight.
I got the new tires installed, rebuilt the rear hub and replaced the bottom bracket.
Now it rides like a dream and looks great too.

 

[ilikebikes]

Could it be a Phantom?