Zee

Hi all! I haven't been chatting on here in so long I doubt anybody remembers me, but I have a couple of questions about a bike I just got today (but haven't seen yet myself in person - my sister and her hubby found it at the flea market in Auburn and sent me a photo w/their cell phone).

Anyway, it's a 1949 Schwinn Hornet, at least mostly original (not sure about the saddle or the tires), and the seller went down from $350 to $200 for the selling price (thank God they took their plastic along lol). I'm only just starting to research info on these bikes, so if anyone can help me out with a few questions I'd be grateful! First off, was $200 a good deal?

I intend to keep the paint all original (she said there's little to no rust anywhere, and no dents), and possibly purchase a reproduction decal (the round Schwinn one that goes on the chain guard), since it seems to be missing in the photo. I'd also like to know exactly which type of headlight would be best (see links just below) to go with the 1949 ladies' model - I'm seeing some on ebay - and where I might find a better deal on one.

https://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...MEWA%3AIT&rd=1

https://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...MEWA%3AIT&rd=1

https://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...MEWA%3AIT&rd=1

https://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...MEWA%3AIT&rd=1

https://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...MEWA%3AIT&rd=1

Keep in mind that the more I spend, the more disgusted looks I'll get from my husband I'm not exactly loaded.

Also, I would like to do whatever I can (after very carefully cleaning and waxing it - I have excellent directions for that already) to protect the paint. Would it be appropriate to clearcoat the entire frame once it's all cleaned up, decals (at least, paper ones) and all? If so, what would be the best clearcoat to use?

Oh, also, I know (from reading today) that these bikes normally have a Messinger seat that at least LOOKS like the one in the pic... I did find a black one on ebay:

https://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...MEWA%3AIT&rd=1

BUT I would much prefer a white one to go with the bike's color scheme, or at least whichever color was originally on the bike. Anybody know for sure?

Check out the pics & links and feel free to offer constructive advice. I could use it! ( {c: ) I can't wait to get my hands (not to mention my rear) on this bike... My sister said it rides very nice and smooth, and my brother meep-meeped the tank horn over the phone lol...

Zee

Zee

Oooh lookie, I found a white one...

https://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...MakeTrack=true

Zee

Anyone?

BobHufford

Zee,

You might get more response from these folks ...

https://www.schwinnbike.com/heritage/....php?forumid=4

Bob

schwinnderella

Bike looks nice certainly it should be left original.The headlight should be a Delta Rocket Ray,likely white.

Zee

Thanks for the link, Bob, I'll check into that! I know there is a huge Schwinn forum online, too, so I can check there.

I've been using a heck of a lot of elbow grease today schwinnderella (cool name btw hehe)... I followed some great advice I found online about cleaning up an original bike and it's looking great so far!

I haven't managed to get all the rust spots off the handlebars yet (my right elbow plumb ran out of grease), but I have gorgeous whitewalls (not original tires but in great shape; they look white in the pic only cos of a bright sunny day lol ), and lovely cream-colored rims, I partially disassembled the seat to clean and oil the underside (to remove & prevent further rust - looks alot better), and I let it sit through two long (45 min) soaks in WD-40 before I did all that.

Now I just need to locate my wax (arg - can't find it), then pretty much all that will be left is those spotty handlebars! Once I get that done, and figure out how to raise the handlebars a bit, it'll be ready for a nice long ride. I may partially remove that rear rack before I wax it though, since it's right on top of the rear fender.

That Delta Rocket Ray is the one I liked the best! There are several who sell them on ebay - my favorite is the truly original one I found (not a repro), but it ends in 5-6 days... and I wouldn't have the money for a week after that I also need to find a reflector for the rear fender; I've seen a few pictures of those so I kind of know what to look for there. I hope to find true originals, but if I can't afford them it will have to be reproductions - which I'll likely repaint to match the lovely cream-colored patina on the rest of the bike

Any ideas on the best clearcoat to use then? I'm fairly sure I'm going to do that. I want to maintain the original paint as much as possible - the back of the rear fender has alot of missing paint on it (in splotches - hopefully the reflector will cover alot of that), but overall the paint is in very nice condition. And of course I'd like to add some permanent shine to it!

Zee

Just to add in here, I just now looked (again, now that it's much cleaner!) for the serial code and found it - but not where it would be for a '49! It's a 1951 Hornet, serial #A67527 (located at end of left rear fork) - built 12/15 to 12/22, 1951. I still love it

BobHufford

You're getting closer on the date. It's actually a '53 (built in the range of 09/05 to 09/08). A '51s number would be on the bottom bracket shell.

https://www.bunchobikes.com/serialnumber2.htm

Tom Findley's site doesn't have the '53 catalog and the '52 doesn't show the 26" model, but the '52 and '54 show black saddles. They are somewhat confusing on the lights as they list Rocket Rays in one catalog, but show torpedo style lights.

https://www.trfindley.com/flschwinn/195207.jpg
https://www.trfindley.com/flschwinn/195404.jpg

https://www.trfindley.com/flschwinn/

The Starlet has white grips and saddle, and I suppose the dealer could have upgraded for you at the time of purchase. If you like white, go for it.

Personally, I would not clearcoat the paint, just wax it. Clearcoat can have it's own issues with age and ahesion and it is not original.

Your bike is a beauty ...

Bob

Zee

Well crud! My bike's getting younger every day lol... That's aggravating... he said it was a '49... That does explain why mine has the wing design on the tank and the '51 I saw in a photo didn't... I still agree that it's a beauty though ty...

Ok, so what if I just clearcoated over the (paper) labels? I read that suggestion and it seemed like a good one. I'll deffinitely be keeping it waxed, though, that's for sure!

Zee

I just found this on ebay...! https://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...EWA%3APIC&rd=1