Pre 1930 Malvern Star serial numbers

oldster32
Posts: 8
Joined: Sat Oct 26, 2013 7:34 pm

Re: Pre 1930 Malvern Star serial numbers

Postby oldster32 » Mon Oct 28, 2013 9:05 am

Gday Warren.
All of these bikes are early mens bikes.
I will try to send some photos through of the earlier ones this week.
Thanks Kyle

bicyclepassion
Posts: 720
Joined: Mon Jan 11, 2010 1:38 pm

Re: Pre 1930 Malvern Star serial numbers

Postby bicyclepassion » Tue Oct 29, 2013 3:52 pm

28" gents, 30700. Assuming number is stamped vertically on rear, would be early 1960's.
27" gents, 27991. Assuming number is stamped vertically,, would be late 1960's.
27" 56M 15540. 1956.
If the other bikes do not have stars in the lugs, or somewhere, they are not Malvern Stars. The numbers do not seem to be normal Malvern Star numbers, so if no other identifyers, they are not.
Warren

Sd
Posts: 79
Joined: Tue Nov 01, 2011 12:48 am
Location: Brisbane

Re: Pre 1930 Malvern Star serial numbers

Postby Sd » Tue Oct 29, 2013 8:55 pm

Paul Watson wrote:Serial number: 6949F
1927 date code on Williams cranks.
Identical to the specification for the No. 4 roadster in the 1928 catalogue.
Image
Hi everyone,

I have a 2 star very similar to the one above with the serial 2496F stamped vertically on the seat tube housing can I assume it's earlier than 1927? Will try and get some pics up soon.

Cheers Sd

bicyclepassion
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Joined: Mon Jan 11, 2010 1:38 pm

Re: Pre 1930 Malvern Star serial numbers

Postby bicyclepassion » Wed Oct 30, 2013 10:40 am

The purpose of this thread originally was to try and gain evidence for the dating of pre 1930 Malvern Stars. It has gone way beyond that, but it is nice to get another 4 digit number.
I now have 6 'F' numbers on the register, of the form XXXX F. These are believed to be from the 1927-28 period.
I have one number ending in E, which is the Les Einsiedel bike, the winning bike from the 1926 Warrnambool - Melbourne race. This is believed to have been made in 1925-1926. It was definitely made before Oct 1926.
I have one 4 digit number without a letter suffix, frame 9275, believed to be approx 1927/28 production.
Jack Dillons Malvern Star, believed ridden during the 1927-28 track season, is number 10367.
Did they drop the suffix at the end of 1927? I dont know. I assume so for the purpose of the exercise.

(One school of thought doing the rounds for years is that the F suffix means that it was built during Tom Finnegan's ownership, that is, prior to 1920. With the evidence I have to date, I believe this is NOT the case.)

In 35 years of collecting and observing Malvern Star bikes, the earliest number I have seen is the XXXX E Einsiedel bike, from 1925/26. There MUST be earlier ones out there, but they have not come to light as yet.

Sd, Your 2496F is probably from the 1927 year.

Warren

oldster32
Posts: 8
Joined: Sat Oct 26, 2013 7:34 pm

Re: Pre 1930 Malvern Star serial numbers

Postby oldster32 » Wed Oct 30, 2013 7:42 pm

Gday Warren,

Its not pre 1930 but interesting all the same.
Mens 28". SN 14610 on R/H seat tube
Large 6 pointed single star. Earlier type headset with horizontal fluted lugs.
Crown on forks has 6 pointed star also.
The bottom bracket appears to have 010 or 040
Original dark green paint with red and white highlights in headtube.
I think it might have been pinstriped on a Monday morning, its a bit wonky, but nice all the same.

Cheers Kyle

bicyclepassion
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Joined: Mon Jan 11, 2010 1:38 pm

Re: Pre 1930 Malvern Star serial numbers

Postby bicyclepassion » Thu Oct 31, 2013 9:25 am

oldster32 wrote:Gday Warren,

Its not pre 1930 but interesting all the same.
Mens 28". SN 14610 on R/H seat tube
Large 6 pointed single star. Earlier type headset with horizontal fluted lugs.
Crown on forks has 6 pointed star also.
The bottom bracket appears to have 010 or 040
Original dark green paint with red and white highlights in headtube.
I think it might have been pinstriped on a Monday morning, its a bit wonky, but nice all the same.

Cheers Kyle
Is the number on the RH seat lug, or lower, on the seat tube itself?
"horizontal fluted lugs", does this mean that there are 'dumbell' shaped slots cut into the top and bottom head lugs?
I have two other '1 stars' on the register, with similiar features, but both have a prefix, like '1M', with the numeric sequence number. eg. 1M 10915. (1941)
Other One Stars that I have are 1939 numbers, which are a 6 digit numeric sequence.
The normal production 'One Star' came out in 1939. There may have been some 'specials' made before that, from the very early days on, with one star in an open head. The dumbell slotted lugs were from C1939 onwards.
Is the number repeated on the steerer tube? You will have to take the forks out to have a look.
Warren

oldster32
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Joined: Sat Oct 26, 2013 7:34 pm

Re: Pre 1930 Malvern Star serial numbers

Postby oldster32 » Thu Oct 31, 2013 5:53 pm

It doesnt appear to have any prefix number. 14610 is on the RH seat lug.
It has the slotted dumbell shaped top and bottom lugs.
It has very worn but original factory paint
These horizontal slots in head lugs are white, as with the large 6 star.
The small portion of the head tube is red and everything else dark green (with striping and original decals)
Wont take forks out at this stage because i still ride it.
I was thinking early 40s, but 1939 sound better!.I know its pretty hard to determine a year without seeing it,
but interested to hear your thoughts.
Thanks again

bicyclepassion
Posts: 720
Joined: Mon Jan 11, 2010 1:38 pm

Re: Pre 1930 Malvern Star serial numbers

Postby bicyclepassion » Fri Nov 01, 2013 10:57 am

14610:
1939 serial numbers contained 6 digits. This sequence possibly extended into 1940.
The earliest 'prefix numbers' recorded start with 1M, for 1941.
(The '0 M' prefix numbers refer to 1950.)
Your 5 digit number is almost certainly from the early 1940's, not 1939 or 1940.
It will be interesting to see if there is a prefixed number on the steerer tube, or there is an extra digit on the number, if you take the forks out at some stage.
Warren

eightythreephoto
Posts: 2
Joined: Sat Nov 02, 2013 11:20 pm
Location: Melbourne.

Re: Pre 1930 Malvern Star serial numbers

Postby eightythreephoto » Sat Nov 02, 2013 11:29 pm

Any info on my bike please. I have not had it long, it's been painted over, twice, but i have been painstakingly taking top layer off to reveal original red paint with pinsrtipes and logos still there.

It has one star on front headtube. one star on each side on top of forks. It says roadstar on top tube. rear frame is bolt on from seat to rear dropout. serial number on r/h rear dropout is: 49163.

Thanks in advance.

Edit- It has plastic star on front. rear coaster brake hub and 28'' wheels. It also says malvern star on locknut on stem.

bicyclepassion
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Re: Pre 1930 Malvern Star serial numbers

Postby bicyclepassion » Mon Nov 04, 2013 12:18 pm

49163: Can you confirm that it has 28" wheels, not 27"?
Are the stars in the fork part of the fork crown, or does it have a chrome fork crown cover, with stars cut in it?
Warren

eightythreephoto
Posts: 2
Joined: Sat Nov 02, 2013 11:20 pm
Location: Melbourne.

Re: Pre 1930 Malvern Star serial numbers

Postby eightythreephoto » Mon Nov 04, 2013 12:27 pm

Yes to 28'' wheels. they say UKAI 28'' - 1 3/8 near the valve, and 'NANKAI NO.75 Coaster' on the hub.

The stars on the fork are part of it. by crown do you mean a sought of cover on top of the forks? The stars are on each side of that, its all one solid piece.

oldster32
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Joined: Sat Oct 26, 2013 7:34 pm

Re: Pre 1930 Malvern Star serial numbers

Postby oldster32 » Mon Nov 04, 2013 9:39 pm

This is a good question. I have a similar Malvern star.
Apoligies Warren, Once again, not pre 1930, but very limited information on these. Dont know why.
Very basic but a great looking bike.
28" mens. Early style bolt on rear frame with cast 5 star badge. Not plastic.
Vertical SN on RH rear dropout 53309.

silverlight
Posts: 630
Joined: Sun Aug 05, 2007 7:29 am

Re: Pre 1930 Malvern Star serial numbers

Postby silverlight » Mon Nov 04, 2013 11:28 pm

Hi Warren
Here is a pre-war 1 star i have, osgear ends, 27in wheels.
I have inspect this all over and the only serial i can find is a 36 on the steerer, it also has the BSA rifles emblem on the steerer.
Looks late 30's to me as it has osgear ends. Under BB has A88 BSA.
Have since acquired all period correct parts and frame to be done down the track. Another project.

Image

Image

SL

oldster32
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Re: Pre 1930 Malvern Star serial numbers

Postby oldster32 » Tue Nov 05, 2013 12:47 pm

Gday Warren.

The early one star SN 53309 mentioned early has a metal/cast 6 pointed star.

This is an interesting one.
I was lucky to purchase this one from my neighbour 3 doors down.
He is 88 yrs old and he said his father bought it new for him whe he was 7 yrs old.
Lovely old Malvern Star 2 star.
This dates it 1932 from his memory, but unsure.
Early headset. 2 large 6 pointed stars in top and bottom lugs.
Top crown of forks are 3 pointed with one vertical slot in it on each side.
Williams crank, 28 westwood wheels with handbrake.
Serial No. is 79355 on LH seat lug.
BB has BSA A83

Thanks Kyle

bicyclepassion
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Joined: Mon Jan 11, 2010 1:38 pm

Re: Pre 1930 Malvern Star serial numbers

Postby bicyclepassion » Wed Nov 06, 2013 1:07 pm

[quote="oldster32"]Gday Warren.

This is an interesting one.
I was lucky to purchase this one from my neighbour 3 doors down.
He is 88 yrs old and he said his father bought it new for him whe he was 7 yrs old.
Lovely old Malvern Star 2 star.
This dates it 1932 from his memory, but unsure.
Early headset. 2 large 6 pointed stars in top and bottom lugs.
Top crown of forks are 3 pointed with one vertical slot in it on each side.
Williams crank, 28 westwood wheels with handbrake.
Serial No. is 79355 on LH seat lug.
BB has BSA A83

Kyle, serial number 79355 would suggest that it was built in 1937. A slightly lower numbered bike was sold in Tasmania in April 1937. with documenation.
I think the fly in the ointment here is that he would have been the tallest 7 year old going around if he could ride a full size bike at that age. (Possible, but not probable).
10 to 12 years old is more likely, but who knows? This would make it 1937 ish.
Descriptiion of forks does not ring a bell. Ordinary models had stars in fork crown from 1934, top models had feature cut fork crowns, no stars.
BSA bottom brackets were uncommon on Malvern Stars until after they became the Australian BSA agents, after Bruce Small's trip to England in 1934.
Warren

oldster32
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Joined: Sat Oct 26, 2013 7:34 pm

Re: Pre 1930 Malvern Star serial numbers

Postby oldster32 » Wed Nov 06, 2013 11:17 pm

Gday Warren. I was thinking the same thing. He must a been a tall kid.
He said that he never had much in his childhood, so this was a big thing to get when he was 7 yrs old. I wasnt going question that!
I thought it was around mid 1930s but with the crown of forks having no star in them made me think pre 1933?
Theres lots of other funny stories about this bike. Its a beauty.
Thats great information and thanks for your time again. Kyle

bicyclepassion
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Re: Pre 1930 Malvern Star serial numbers

Postby bicyclepassion » Thu Nov 07, 2013 6:27 pm

Post a photo of the forks if you can, or take them out and see if serial number is repeated on the steerer tube. Or, it just may be a higher end model, which didnt have the stars.
Warren

retrobikeforager
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Joined: Wed Mar 27, 2013 1:21 am

Re: Pre 1930 Malvern Star serial numbers

Postby retrobikeforager » Sun Nov 17, 2013 12:47 am

I have a Malvern Star delivery bike that was used by a newsagent to deliver newspapers in Albany WA. Serial number is 63876. How old do you think it is? See image on this link
https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/197 ... 20bike.jpg" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

qldguy2013
Posts: 1
Joined: Wed Dec 18, 2013 1:55 pm

Re: Pre 1930 Malvern Star serial numbers

Postby qldguy2013 » Wed Dec 18, 2013 2:13 pm

Hello People,
My elderly next door neighbour was about to give away a vintage Malvern 2 start ladies bike.
The numbers that i could get of the frame were up on the ring where the seat slides in.
These numbers were 101982. Does anyone have any idea on the age and the value of such an item.
Thanks so much

bicyclepassion
Posts: 720
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Re: Pre 1930 Malvern Star serial numbers

Postby bicyclepassion » Thu Dec 19, 2013 9:37 am

Retrobikeforagy: 28" delivery, #63876. = 1936 Rare bike with built in front rack. I know of one other survivor.

Oldguy2013: 28" ladies, #101982. = 1938, maybe 1939. Would need to see photos.

Warren

Pushie Pirate
Posts: 56
Joined: Sun Apr 14, 2013 7:46 pm
Location: Lord Howe Island, Tasman Sea.

Re: Pre 1930 Malvern Star serial numbers

Postby Pushie Pirate » Thu Jan 02, 2014 9:32 pm

Hi Warren,

I am grateful and sure others are as well for dating our bikes, finally got around to posting
a few more pic's of my Malvern Star last time I only posted two pictures and you thought she
was probably around 1946 possibly earlier, I'm wondering if more pictures help with more
accurate dating, thank you again, PP.

Image Image

Image Image

Image Image
Cut it up and turn it into something else!

bicyclepassion
Posts: 720
Joined: Mon Jan 11, 2010 1:38 pm

Re: Pre 1930 Malvern Star serial numbers

Postby bicyclepassion » Fri Jan 03, 2014 5:29 pm

I cant quite make out that serial number, but can see that it is a 6, over 717x or something like that.
This is not a 'normal' configuration, but that doesnt mean much.
The black painted BSA joggled crankset, and the austerity version of the continental headfittings, suggest it is a wartime bike, or just after.
I have three ladies M Star bikes in my own collection, with similiar features, two are 1944, one is 1945.
I'll stick to mid 1940's, wartime. (maybe 1946, only due to the 6 prefix)
Your wheels with coaster brake are probably later additions. They look too small for the bike?
The austerity ladies bikes came with very basic stirrup brakes. (Not sure if all of them, just the ones I have seen) (Presume no coaster brake hubs available in the later part of WW2.)

Warren

Pushie Pirate
Posts: 56
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Location: Lord Howe Island, Tasman Sea.

Re: Pre 1930 Malvern Star serial numbers

Postby Pushie Pirate » Fri Jan 03, 2014 8:23 pm

Hi Warren thank you very much, I have the rear rim, will get a picture soon,
the number is definitely 6 with 711 below it, seems a small number compared
to the other Malvern Stars here? (or lack of numbers?)

Image
Cut it up and turn it into something else!

bicyclepassion
Posts: 720
Joined: Mon Jan 11, 2010 1:38 pm

Re: Pre 1930 Malvern Star serial numbers

Postby bicyclepassion » Sat Jan 04, 2014 6:46 pm

Thanks for the clarification.
The headfittings alone date it to WW2 or slightly later production, so in this case, the number does not match up with others from that time, so we will have to wait for other bikes or purchase receipts to come along with similiar numbers to make sense of them.
Warren

ian_webber
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Joined: Sat Jan 11, 2014 2:51 pm

Re: Pre 1930 Malvern Star serial numbers

Postby ian_webber » Sat Jan 11, 2014 3:14 pm

Gday Warren

Im new to this forum and a bit of a novice . I just purchased an old Malvern star bike and am looking to find out more about it.
The people who sold it to me said there Grand dad raced it in the 1930s

The frame has serial number P9332 stamped to the end of the rear frame where the wheel attaches and has BSA A88 on the base of the frame. It also has the letters BSA in the front sprocket. The forks have no star but have detail to the top. the front of the bike has 4 stars - each 6 points

Its been painted and is just parts but I would like to find out more and restore the bike.
any help appreciated.

Cheers Ian
Last edited by ian_webber on Sun Jan 12, 2014 11:35 am, edited 2 times in total.

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