40's Western Flyer

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East Park

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I am seeking help on identifying my daughter's Western Flyer that we just picked up. From what I can find, it was built sometime in the 40's, but not definite. It was built by Cleveland Welding. Planning to clean it up and keep it original. The light is missing and expensive from what I have been told. I would love a pic of the front light of anyone can send me one. Any help is appreciated. The SN appears to be: 8146 HBW


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I think that number is a personal number someone put on there for their own ID. The original number should be under the paint right at about the same spot on a CWC bike. I thought CWC bikes all had peaked fenders but I may be wrong.

Nice find!
 
Not all CWC bikes had peaked fenders....100% sure on that.
 
I also noticed the seat stays and chain stays don't have the curve to them I usually see on CWC frames. Maybe it's a Shelby?
 
I believe that is a Huffman-built frame. The four digit-three letter serial number kinda/sorta fits their paradigm at the time. You can check at the CABE and see examples of this. Definitely pre-war...1941 at the latest.
 
That might be right. Here's a Dayton/Huffman crank and sprocket:
mesiHvFVrYFii5SFKZVtOqQ.jpg


I also looked through the serial numbers at a CABE thread, HBW shows up on the list of Huffman serial numbers. It has a 41 model starting with HBW with a much higher number, and also shows 1941 with HCW, so I bet it's a 40-41 Huffman made WF.

Huffman Serial Number List


Underscore _ Indicates numbers or letters under the main serial number


20995 = 1934-5 Model D-4 Dayton (Sensor)
44052 = 1936 Firestone Fleetwood Standard (37Fleetwood)
86303 = 1936-7 D-2E Superstreamliner (37Fleetwood)
87979_2 1937 D-1T Superstreamliner (37Fleetwood)
92469_3 1937-8 National Superstreamliner (supper15fiets)

1624_HCW = 1941 ??? (ejlwheels)
2959FBH_8 = 1937-8 Firestone Fleetwood Supreme (Mr.J.C.Higgins)
5937 = 1937-8 Firestone Fleetwood Supreme (Oldbikes)
H16061_CP866 = Firestone Fleetwood Supreme (easywind)

H5008 = 1941 ??? (ejlwheels)
H5608_2 = 1937-8 Firestone Fleetwood Supreme (shutterbugKELLY)
W6478_5 = 1937 Western Flyer mens (ejlwheels)

H10678 = 1943 ??? (ejlwheels)
A14449_3 = 1939 LaFrance model 51 Special Line (bentwoody66)
B18020_8 = 1930s National (Flat Tire)
H20062_3 = 1937-8 Firestone Fleetwood Supreme (37Fleetwood)
B20138 = 1940 Belknap Hardware Store (shutterbugKELLY)
H21732_1 = 1937-8 Firestone Fleetwood Supreme (Aeropsycho)
HW23744 = 1937 Western Flyer (37Fleetwood)
677_D50158_1942 = 1942 Military frame (ejlwheels)
A80304 = 1937 Airflyte (37Fleetwood)
H4???8 = Huffman Airflyte Twin-Flex (shutterbugKELLY)

108762_2 = 1938 Firestone Supreme Twin Flex (easywind)
1967FAH_2 = 1939 Firestone Flying Ace (37Fleetwood)
4114FAH_1_Z8 = 1939 Firestone Supreme Twin Flex (37Fleetwood)
4568FAH_1 = 1939 Firestone Flying Ace (easywind)
7820FAH = 1939 Firestone Flying Ace (easywind)
9454FAH_7 = 1939 Firestone Supreme Twin Flex (easywind)

N_102578_2 = 1939 National? Twinflex (ejlwheels)
H119535 = 1943 ??? straight downtube, curved fender mount (ejlwheels)
H126782 = 1943 ??? straight downtube, curved fender mount (ejlwheels)
H321448 = 1939 (ejlwheels)
H413022 = 1943 - 1948 Dayton (ejlwheels)
H429170 = 1944 Dayton Civillian Transport Bicycle (37Fleetwood)
H471477 = 1941 ??? (ejlwheels)


14403_C = 1941-42 Dayton Mainliner (joyofravenclaw)
22261HBW = 1941 Western Flyer (37Fleetwood)
23664B_N = 1940 girls Twin Flex (easywind)
24839C = 1941 Dayton (37Fleetwood)
24873C = 1942 Firestone Pilot (37Fleetwood)
3551D = 194? Ever Best (Aeropsycho)
59711C = 1942 Dixie Flyer (37Fleetwood)
62637_C = 1941 Huffman National (Flat Tire)
76639_C = 1941 Huffman Top Flight (37Fleetwood)
48894_C = 1941 Huffman made mens (easywind)
63484_C = 1941 Huffman made mens (easywind)

225375C = 1944 Dayton (37Fleetwood)
 
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My daughter is very excited that I picked it up for her. I gave her the choice, based on an earlier conversation, of keeping it as-is or repainting it. She loves the color scheme and patina. Thanks for the response.


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I think it will clean up nicely, the wheels white paint and pinstripes look very good. The rear rack looks like 2 extra kids went along for rides. But the metal is heavy enough to be straightened out if need be. A friend who works at a body shop would be perfect.
 
Anyone have any suggestions on cleaning up the paint? I have only customized in the past so I am used to stripping paint, not preserving it.


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