Classic & Vintage - New Departure mdl A

I added this picture of the new departure mdl A that is on the old Elgin.It is written in old type script
Any guess on the age of this hub?This should narrow down the age of te bike .Thanks Guys.
http://i263.photobucket.com/albums/ii125/vincev_2008/non%20road%20bike%20collectables/newdeparturea.jpg
http://i263.photobucket.com/albums/ii125/vincev_2008/non%20road%20bike%20collectables/TROXELSADDLE.jpg
http://i263.photobucket.com/albums/ii125/vincev_2008/non%20road%20bike%20collectables/ELGINBADGE.jpg
http://i263.photobucket.com/albums/ii125/vincev_2008/non%20road%20bike%20collectables/ELGIN.jpg

You may have seen this on the CABE, but I'll put it up here too:

Model A is 1920s and before. The Model C replaced it sometime in the mid to late 1920s.

That looks to me like a Columbia-built Elgin. But I'm not an expert on these early birds.

What size is the chain?

I have an a New Departure Mdle A Hub with the same style lettering on the brake arm. I've been told the hub was from the latter half of the teen's, earlier hubs had more ornate markings. Your chain guard and fenders look to be correct period to the hub and saddle, I'd estimate 1915-1919. Great Wheel!

I'll also add that the saddle appears to be in remarkable shape for the age.

That's beautiful.

I don't normally get excited about bikes of that sort, but wow, is that a beauty! I love the script on the brake arm, looks like the same font they used on tombstones in old cemeteries (or a Decemberists album cover.)

Shame the original paint is gone. Quite understandable if the age estimate is correct.

thanks guys.Between this forum and the Cabe i always am able to find good info.Now to find the paint scheme used on this bike and try to get it looking decent again.Info from the Cabe showed there was a blue with white striping version offered.

Try using some MEK or Xylene to remove that overspray. Keep rubbing until it comes out. What this will do is expose what's underneath without removing it totally. If there's enough old paint left underneath, go with that. If there isn't, then keep trying different "low wear" areas of the bike. You will eventually find SOME old paint. This will serve was your guide in doing a repaint.

The dark blue and white on the rims might be a guide too. If so, that could point to Columbia even more-- they used a dark blue and cream color scheme for a number of years.

sounds like a good winter project.Will also spend time on E bay looking for a dropstand.I'll leave the old tires on to prevent damage to the wood rims until i have a plan for them. Thanks for the paint
stripping info.

sounds like a good winter project.Will also spend time on E bay looking for a dropstand.I'll leave the old tires on to prevent damage to the wood rims until i have a plan for them. Thanks for the paint
stripping info.

Memory Lane Classics often have dropstands and dropstand parts too.

Try using some MEK or Xylene to remove that overspray. Keep rubbing until it comes out. What this will do is expose what's underneath without removing it totally. If there's enough old paint left underneath, go with that. If there isn't, then keep trying different "low wear" areas of the bike. You will eventually find SOME old paint. This will serve was your guide in doing a repaint.

The dark blue and white on the rims might be a guide too. If so, that could point to Columbia even more-- they used a dark blue and cream color scheme for a number of years.

Looks like there might be traces of darker blue on the dropout (first picture).

Looks like there might be traces of darker blue on the dropout (first picture).

Yes there appears to be a dark blue matching the rims. Columbia had a particular medium-dark blue they used for a number of years. My 1950 De Luxe has the same dark blue and cream color combo as those rims (and the traces).

The question then is whether that dark blue is original or whether it was a first overspray and the light blue is a second overspray.

But you make a good point and dark blue probably is a fair bet here, given that the dark blue traces on the frame look like they match the rims. MEK or Xylene might reveal that to be the case.


The other interesting thing about the set up here is that the A brake has a little set screw attachment to the frame in addition to the normal arm strap. The set screw on these actually passes through a rotated eyelet in the arm to keep the arm steady to the frame. With the strap and screw in place too, it should lock the coaster arm down nicely and prevent any slack when going between braking and acceleration.

On Page 54 of Evolution of the Bicycle is a 1921 ad for what looks like this bike, same saddle, chainguard & fenders and bars. It's Elgins women's coaster bike. Sorry my scanner is dead but perhaps another member can help send the image. The bike was available in 2 color options:

All red

or

Blue frame with white frame head and darts, the white rims and chainguard had blue edging.

Your bike listed for $35.95 in 1921

The rack is not shown in the original and appears to me to be a 40's era addition. IMHO

Such a great find, enjoy the restoration!