drpaddle

This is a strange one. The serial number suggests a 1935 Schwinn. The seat cluster screams Schwinn, as does the formed head tube. The fork looks like photos of a Racer fork from that period, though I'm not that familiar. But... it has a threaded bottom bracket and track (rear facing) frame tips! Working theory is that the frame tips were changed out, based on the nasty welding. However, all Schwinns had nasty welding.

Any theories or assertions of fact? Thanks.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/273833...57710815456557

Kevin in San Diego

1938 Claude Butler tandem (1962 and 1972 parts)
Prewar Schwinn CycleTruck (1978 +/- equipment)
1949 Schwinn Town & Country tandem
1949Lenton Clubman
1959 +/- Follis tandem (1970s parts)
1959 George W Stratton
1959 BSA Tour of Britain Sports
1960 Schwinn Paramount
1960 Scot Ventoux
1970 Raleigh Professional Mk I
1970 Schwinn Paramount P-15
1970 +/- Geoffrey Butler
1970 Mondia Special
1971 Raleigh Professional Mk II
1973 Raleigh Gran Sport
1978 Keith Lippy
1978 Raleigh Folders (two!)
1981 Miyata Professional
1981 Ritchey Mountain Bike
1983 +/- Ross Mt Whitney
1984 Shogun Prairie Buster (two!)

pastorbobnlnh 

To my eye, it appears to be an early Superior, one step below a Paramount. A fantastic find. In any respects more rare than a Paramount.

TenGrainBread 

Kevin, you seem to specialize in finding the rustiest bikes out there! Good eye.

thinktubes 

drpaddle

Thanks, Bob. I don't think it is a Superior, though. It has the small diameter seatpost and bulge-formed head tube characteristic of the cheaper Schwinns. I once had a very nice 1938 Superior, and it used a large-diameter seatpost and was fillet brazed at the head tube. I would even suspect that it is not a Schwinn at all, except that the seat cluster and head tube are so very Schwinn. This one is truly a head-scratcher.