Old cruiser - reason for extension behind rear dropout?
07-04-19 | 05:25 AM
#1
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Old cruiser - reason for extension behind rear dropout?
I've got an old-style cruiser bike that has a long tab on the frame extending behind each rear dropout. It looks sort of like it might be intended to support the horizontal strut of a rear fender, but the strut isn't actually resting on it. Fenders might not be original though. Some old cruisers have a sort of bumper around the rear -- perhaps it originally supported one of those? So the main question is does it serve any functional purpose or is it just style? Pics below show a wide shot and a close up. The close up is the non-drive side (opposite orientation from first pic).
If you happen to know what make of bike it is, that would be interesting to know as well, but isn't the main point of the question.
Whole bike
Close up of non-drive side.
If you happen to know what make of bike it is, that would be interesting to know as well, but isn't the main point of the question.
Whole bike
Close up of non-drive side.
07-04-19 | 06:07 AM
#2
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Based on the chainwheel pattern, I'd say this was a Murray product, but I don't know the function of the dropout extensions. If nobody here has an answer, you may want to enquire at https://thecabe.com/forum/ .
07-04-19 | 06:39 AM
#4
multimodal commuter
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From: NJ, NYC, LI
Bikes: 1940s Fothergill, 1959 Allegro Special, 1963? Claud Butler Olympic Sprint, Lambert 'Clubman', 1974 Fuji "the Ace", 1976 Holdsworth 650b conversion rando bike, 1983 Trek 720 tourer, 1984 Counterpoint Opus II, 1993 Basso Gap, 2010 Downtube 8h, and...
Aerodynamics.
07-04-19 | 07:54 AM
#5
Patina Avoider
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From: Maryland, USA
Bikes: Drysdale/Gitane/Zeus/Masi/Falcon/Palo Alto/Vitus
Tailfins; wow, did not know Virgil Exner designed bicycles... 
If it had a hole in it, maybe a good place to mount newsboy baskets.
If it had a hole in it, maybe a good place to mount newsboy baskets.
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Larry:1958 Drysdale, 1961 Gitane Gran Sport, 1974 Zeus track, 1988 Masi Gran Corsa, 1974 Falcon, 1980 Palo Alto, 198? Vitus 979. Susan: 1976 Windsor Profesional.
Larry:1958 Drysdale, 1961 Gitane Gran Sport, 1974 Zeus track, 1988 Masi Gran Corsa, 1974 Falcon, 1980 Palo Alto, 198? Vitus 979. Susan: 1976 Windsor Profesional.
07-04-19 | 10:16 AM
#8
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07-20-19 | 08:25 AM
#9
Roll Swift on the Thrift.
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Bikes: Nishiki Olympic, Fuji Grand, 1980? Scwhinn Le Tour, 1970 Concord Deluxe, American Flyer Emperor, 198(x) Cannondale road bike, Trek 720 Multi Trak, 198(x) Cannondale mountain bike, 198(x) Motobecane road bike, 196(x) Sears cruiser, 1960 Scwhinn Racer
I was pointed to this thread because I posted a question about my Sears bike that is very similar to yours. I really wish mine was a men's bike not a ladies' bike, but yeah. The serial number on mine starts with 462 like yours does. I can't read many of the other characters on yours in the pic.
I would hope that if one did a search on here for the word "Sears" my post from last night would show up.
I would hope that if one did a search on here for the word "Sears" my post from last night would show up.
07-21-19 | 06:19 AM
#10
Mr. Anachronism
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From: Somewhere west of Tobie's
Bikes: fillet-brazed Chicago Schwinns, and some other stuff
That dropout extension is characteristic of frames made by the Cleveland Welding Company. They made frames for Murray, Sears, Western Auto and others.
Sometimes they were used to support fenders, racks and banana seat struts, but mostly it was a trademark design flourish.
Sometimes they were used to support fenders, racks and banana seat struts, but mostly it was a trademark design flourish.
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"My only true wisdom is in knowing I have none" -Socrates
Last edited by Hudson308; 07-21-19 at 06:25 AM.
07-21-19 | 06:30 AM
#11
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They are handles for aiding in getting the wheel mounted straight and with correct tension on the chain.
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“One morning you wake up, the girl is gone, the bikes are gone, all that's left behind is a pair of old tires and a tube of tubular glue, all squeezed out"
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“One morning you wake up, the girl is gone, the bikes are gone, all that's left behind is a pair of old tires and a tube of tubular glue, all squeezed out"
Sugar "Kane" Kowalczyk
07-21-19 | 06:31 AM
#12
Bianchi Goddess
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From: Shady Pines Retirement Fort Wayne, In
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That dropout extension is characteristic of frames made by the Cleveland Welding Company. They made frames for Murray, Sears, Western Auto and others.
Sometimes they were used to support fenders, racks and banana seat struts, but mostly it was a trademark design flourish.
Sometimes they were used to support fenders, racks and banana seat struts, but mostly it was a trademark design flourish.
__________________
“One morning you wake up, the girl is gone, the bikes are gone, all that's left behind is a pair of old tires and a tube of tubular glue, all squeezed out"
Sugar "Kane" Kowalczyk
“One morning you wake up, the girl is gone, the bikes are gone, all that's left behind is a pair of old tires and a tube of tubular glue, all squeezed out"
Sugar "Kane" Kowalczyk
07-21-19 | 02:09 PM
#13
Mr. Anachronism
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From: Somewhere west of Tobie's
Bikes: fillet-brazed Chicago Schwinns, and some other stuff
Thanks! Sears Spaceliner from about '65.
I've got the original tank and light assembly, removed and stored separately to avoid (more) damage.
A detail shot of the horn & light controls...
I've got the original tank and light assembly, removed and stored separately to avoid (more) damage.
A detail shot of the horn & light controls...
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"My only true wisdom is in knowing I have none" -Socrates
"My only true wisdom is in knowing I have none" -Socrates
07-21-19 | 04:10 PM
#14
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From: Waukesha WI
Bikes: 1978 Trek TX700; 1978/79 Trek 736; 1984 Specialized Stumpjumper Sport; 1984 Schwinn Voyageur SP; 1985 Trek 620; 1985 Trek 720; 1986 Trek 400 Elance; 1987 Schwinn High Sierra; 1990 Miyata 1000LT
That dropout extension is characteristic of frames made by the Cleveland Welding Company. They made frames for Murray, Sears, Western Auto and others.
Sometimes they were used to support fenders, racks and banana seat struts, but mostly it was a trademark design flourish.
Sometimes they were used to support fenders, racks and banana seat struts, but mostly it was a trademark design flourish.
That is exceptional!!!
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Commence to jigglin’ huh?!?!
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Commence to jigglin’ huh?!?!
"But hey, always love to hear from opinionated amateurs." -says some guy to Mr. Marshall.
