Old cruiser - reason for extension behind rear dropout?
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Old cruiser - reason for extension behind rear dropout?
I've got an old-style cruiser bike that has a long tab on the frame extending behind each rear dropout. It looks sort of like it might be intended to support the horizontal strut of a rear fender, but the strut isn't actually resting on it. Fenders might not be original though. Some old cruisers have a sort of bumper around the rear -- perhaps it originally supported one of those? So the main question is does it serve any functional purpose or is it just style? Pics below show a wide shot and a close up. The close up is the non-drive side (opposite orientation from first pic).
If you happen to know what make of bike it is, that would be interesting to know as well, but isn't the main point of the question.
Whole bike
Close up of non-drive side.
If you happen to know what make of bike it is, that would be interesting to know as well, but isn't the main point of the question.
Whole bike
Close up of non-drive side.
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Based on the chainwheel pattern, I'd say this was a Murray product, but I don't know the function of the dropout extensions. If nobody here has an answer, you may want to enquire at https://thecabe.com/forum/ .
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Aerodynamics.
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Tailfins; wow, did not know Virgil Exner designed bicycles...
If it had a hole in it, maybe a good place to mount newsboy baskets.
If it had a hole in it, maybe a good place to mount newsboy baskets.
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Generally they are for mounting a drop stand that swing back and clips into the rear fender. On that thing it seems more of a copy of a pre-war bike and the actual purpose was lost on them.
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I was pointed to this thread because I posted a question about my Sears bike that is very similar to yours. I really wish mine was a men's bike not a ladies' bike, but yeah. The serial number on mine starts with 462 like yours does. I can't read many of the other characters on yours in the pic.
I would hope that if one did a search on here for the word "Sears" my post from last night would show up.
I would hope that if one did a search on here for the word "Sears" my post from last night would show up.
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That dropout extension is characteristic of frames made by the Cleveland Welding Company. They made frames for Murray, Sears, Western Auto and others.
Sometimes they were used to support fenders, racks and banana seat struts, but mostly it was a trademark design flourish.
Sometimes they were used to support fenders, racks and banana seat struts, but mostly it was a trademark design flourish.
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Last edited by Hudson308; 07-21-19 at 06:25 AM.
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They are handles for aiding in getting the wheel mounted straight and with correct tension on the chain.
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That dropout extension is characteristic of frames made by the Cleveland Welding Company. They made frames for Murray, Sears, Western Auto and others.
Sometimes they were used to support fenders, racks and banana seat struts, but mostly it was a trademark design flourish.
Sometimes they were used to support fenders, racks and banana seat struts, but mostly it was a trademark design flourish.
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“One morning you wake up, the girl is gone, the bikes are gone, all that's left behind is a pair of old tires and a tube of tubular glue, all squeezed out"
Sugar "Kane" Kowalczyk
“One morning you wake up, the girl is gone, the bikes are gone, all that's left behind is a pair of old tires and a tube of tubular glue, all squeezed out"
Sugar "Kane" Kowalczyk
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Thanks! Sears Spaceliner from about '65.
I've got the original tank and light assembly, removed and stored separately to avoid (more) damage.
A detail shot of the horn & light controls...
I've got the original tank and light assembly, removed and stored separately to avoid (more) damage.
A detail shot of the horn & light controls...
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That dropout extension is characteristic of frames made by the Cleveland Welding Company. They made frames for Murray, Sears, Western Auto and others.
Sometimes they were used to support fenders, racks and banana seat struts, but mostly it was a trademark design flourish.
Sometimes they were used to support fenders, racks and banana seat struts, but mostly it was a trademark design flourish.
That is exceptional!!!
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Commence to jigglin’ huh?!?!
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