Author Topic: 47 Whizzer on a Liberty  (Read 11134 times)

Offline DirtNerd

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47 Whizzer on a Liberty
« on: March 28, 2013, 09:09:43 PM »
hey all, some of you may have seen this in my intro, but wanted to post my project here officially.

I'm restoring my dad's (82yo farmer) whizzer on a Schwinn frame. I've already caught hell from purist who cursed me for going this far, but i have my reasons and i'm sticking with them. Others have been super supportive and offered tips and info that only dedicated fans could give.

I dug up info on Schwinn serial numbers, but didn't get a good sense if the sequence also held up for Chicago Cycle Supply Co. bikes. A Schwinn would have been built later than my dad claimed to have bought this bike. (the motor was mounted originally on a Gambles dept store bike, which he destroyed).
Frame SN: L89741
(Bikes stamped: L85454 - L97650 were built 08/07 to 08/08/1954)

I have original parts being replated as I type. Once i get the locking fork cups back from chrome, i can have the crank and head tubes refaced and cups pressed in. It's looking so sharp. It's been nearly 5 years in the making (give me a break, a job, and adding two mouths to the family can change priorities pretty quick).
My 47 Whizzer Project photos
http://bit.ly/aT4b9e

The 'H' in and out
http://bit.ly/pDT9Ev

Whizzer Motorbike Flickr Group
http://bit.ly/cQ38QK

Offline lilchik17750

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Re: 47 Whizzer on a Liberty
« Reply #1 on: March 28, 2013, 09:26:35 PM »
Oh wow.............love it. You do what you want to do with your stuff, so forget the purist if it makes you happy. I love the pic of Pop with the bike..............in fact I may try to print it. Anyway, where on the frame was the serial number stamped, and what is the motor number on the engine crankcase drain plug is?

Gonna ride it? Hope so. Good luck.

Lisa:)
Take a road less traveled;)

Offline DirtNerd

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Re: 47 Whizzer on a Liberty
« Reply #2 on: March 28, 2013, 09:43:11 PM »
Thanks. The SN on the bike is on the underside of the crank. I was so focused on the motor, that  i neglected to get a pic of it before paint, which is on a bit thick and filled in. Glad i got it when i did.

The motor is Engine SN: H53618 and is on a stand running now. I should have it all together this spring. I hope to get an 'after' pic w/ dad. Sadly, I know of no pictures of him with it as a boy.

This sat in the back of the shed during my entire childhood. I'm surprised the tank wasn't dented. For as bad as it looked, it was in decent shape. The frame had rust where the paint was burned off when it was rewelded 50 odd years ago. some of the nuts and bolts aren't original, replaced by random stove bolts. its' been fun to discover.
My 47 Whizzer Project photos
http://bit.ly/aT4b9e

The 'H' in and out
http://bit.ly/pDT9Ev

Whizzer Motorbike Flickr Group
http://bit.ly/cQ38QK

Offline lilchik17750

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Re: 47 Whizzer on a Liberty
« Reply #3 on: March 28, 2013, 10:07:54 PM »
The underside of the crank serial number is pre-1952, so Pop might have great memory after all. Thing is, that all the records were lost before '48 in a fire.............so it would be a guess anyway. The motor dates to somewhere in 45-47 being an H series.
It would have been cool to see the young guy in B&W, but he looks great with it now regardless!!

Enjoy the ride guys,
Lisa:)
Take a road less traveled;)

Offline lilchik17750

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Re: 47 Whizzer on a Liberty
« Reply #4 on: March 28, 2013, 10:12:43 PM »
Oh hey, I just thought of another thing to try. Look on the crank itself (between the threads for the bottom bracket hardware) where it goes through the crank housing, and see if it has a two digit date stamp on it. They did date some of those old AS cranks.

Lisa:)
Take a road less traveled;)

Offline DirtNerd

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Re: 47 Whizzer on a Liberty
« Reply #5 on: March 28, 2013, 11:20:14 PM »
the only thing between the threads is the AS&Co cast. nothing else. In any case, i know the story. He knows the story. I have the original motor title and registration, manuals and license plate. Lotta history here.

Thanks for following along. I'll keep you posted here in a few weeks as things heat up.
My 47 Whizzer Project photos
http://bit.ly/aT4b9e

The 'H' in and out
http://bit.ly/pDT9Ev

Whizzer Motorbike Flickr Group
http://bit.ly/cQ38QK

Offline dale88chevyss

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Re: 47 Whizzer on a Liberty
« Reply #6 on: March 29, 2013, 03:03:13 PM »
This looks like a very promising and interesting project.  It also seems to me that is really only thing on the bike is dust/dirt; not too far off from a refurb/resto. 
Daniel G.
________________________

All riders; no wall hangers.

Our fleet:
'58 26" Spitfire
'63 Hollywood
'65 De luxe Typhoon
'66 Typhoon
'57 20" Spitfire
'74 Sports Tourer <----FINALLY got one!
'74 Sprint
'67 Breeze

Offline DirtNerd

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Re: 47 Whizzer on a Liberty
« Reply #7 on: March 29, 2013, 04:20:15 PM »
@dale88chevyss - true, the coating of grime from the engine oil used to lube the chain did protect quite a bit, even under the fuel tank, the paint was superb, but the area where it was rewelded was pretty harsh. Plus, I wanted to redo the whole thing. I'm not concerned with original market value. That wasn't my goal. What I'm completing is how my dad would have seen it day one.

The great thing about this preservation project is, it will stay in the family.

When it was blasted, I was surprised by the coarseness of the factory welds and grind marks.
My 47 Whizzer Project photos
http://bit.ly/aT4b9e

The 'H' in and out
http://bit.ly/pDT9Ev

Whizzer Motorbike Flickr Group
http://bit.ly/cQ38QK

Offline DirtNerd

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47 Whizzer on a Liberty
« Reply #8 on: June 08, 2013, 04:48:07 PM »
Stoked to share some progress - got the lower bracket in, locking fork cups, and springer back together.
My 47 Whizzer Project photos
http://bit.ly/aT4b9e

The 'H' in and out
http://bit.ly/pDT9Ev

Whizzer Motorbike Flickr Group
http://bit.ly/cQ38QK

Offline Ozark Flyer

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Re: 47 Whizzer on a Liberty
« Reply #9 on: June 08, 2013, 08:15:51 PM »
Very nice.  Looking forward to seeing the rest.
When you rob from Peter to pay Paul, you can always count on having Paul's support.

Offline DirtNerd

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47 Whizzer on a Liberty
« Reply #10 on: June 08, 2013, 08:27:13 PM »
It's the little things. My spring goal of having it running is gone. Work got most of my attention, with the family in close second. More to come.
My 47 Whizzer Project photos
http://bit.ly/aT4b9e

The 'H' in and out
http://bit.ly/pDT9Ev

Whizzer Motorbike Flickr Group
http://bit.ly/cQ38QK

Offline island schwinn

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Re: 47 Whizzer on a Liberty
« Reply #11 on: June 08, 2013, 10:49:58 PM »
from what i can see of the frame in the background,this is gonna be real nice,pure or not.i'm a purist if something is nice and doesn't need resto,but if it needs any repainting and such,you have to do what makes it right for you.good job.please keep us posted as you can.

Offline Stinky_Sullivan

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Re: 47 Whizzer on a Liberty
« Reply #12 on: June 09, 2013, 01:25:44 AM »
Unless that came out if the Schwinn factory with that engine in it, the purest argument won't hold water. Well, not as much. Since the frame was welded and the paint damaged, even less so. A full cosmetic restoration to the time it was first ridden in that configuration is very acceptable.

Offline DirtNerd

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47 Whizzer on a Liberty
« Reply #13 on: June 09, 2013, 11:00:27 AM »
Thanks Island and stinky - it's so close to the inaugural re-ride. It was the second frame. Beat to hell riding from the farm to school. Dad has been apart of the process from the start. But thanks to this community, I'm getting the technical advice to help me along.
My 47 Whizzer Project photos
http://bit.ly/aT4b9e

The 'H' in and out
http://bit.ly/pDT9Ev

Whizzer Motorbike Flickr Group
http://bit.ly/cQ38QK

Offline DirtNerd

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47 Whizzer on a Liberty
« Reply #14 on: June 16, 2013, 11:07:22 PM »
Dry fit the fork. There's a small amount of play on the bottom of the head tube. But man it sure looks nice.
My 47 Whizzer Project photos
http://bit.ly/aT4b9e

The 'H' in and out
http://bit.ly/pDT9Ev

Whizzer Motorbike Flickr Group
http://bit.ly/cQ38QK