Serial number tables listed in section 2,3, and 5. The attached tables list the serial number assigned to the first welding machine or first motor manufactured for that corresponding year. Because monthly production is uniform, by pro-rating, these lists can be used to determine the approximate month of manufacture of a unit. The Cleveland Welding Company was not known for creating the best quality bicycles, but they did make a few models that are highly sought after by collectors. Most notable is the 1937 Roadmaster Supreme, with its bug-eye looking horn tank that has built in twin headlights, locking fork, rubber cusioned gooseneck, and other unique features. Roadmaster bicycle serial numbers. Seattle, Washington. If the bicycle is from 1926 it is not a CWC Roadmaster. The name Roadmaster was used by more than one bicycle manufacturer. Most commonly, Roadmasters are the bicycles produced by the Cleveland Welding Company CWC of Cleveland. The Cleveland Welding Company is generally referred to as “CWC” by collectors started producing bicycles in September of 1935 and are probably best known for their Roadmaster line of bicycles. The “Y” frame Roadmaster Supremes of 1937 (aka Bug Eye) and 1938 (aka Four Gill) are some of the rarest and most sought after balloon tire bikes. Cleveland Welding Company bicycle owners has 1,482 members. Group for discussion and sharing of bicycles built by the Cleveland Welding Company.

1. Cleveland Welding Company Serial Numbers By Name
2. Cleveland Welding Company Serial Numbers 126743 Numbers

CWC started producing bikes in September of 1935. The serial number location of CWC bicycles from 1935-1956 is located underneath the bottom bracket. The early bikes (1935-36) could have used a serial starting with XX, Z , or A. The very early bikes starting with XX or Z appear rather crude (Fig 1). Beginning with the “A” serial numbers the font is uniform and distinctive. This style of font is usually a good indicator fo a CWC built bike (Fig 2.). The serial numbers repeat during the prewar period so the frame style and components must be used to date the bike.

Note–Although the Delivery Cycles are listed as 1940-41 models all known examples have a serial number starting with “D”

The serial number on early postwar bikes (1946-mid 1947) is the same style as the prewar bikes so frame characteristics must be used in conjunction with the serial number to distinguish between a pre and early post war bike. The biggest ‘tell’ between a prewar and post war bike is a lack of drop stand ‘ears’ on postwar frames* (Figs 3, 3-1). Later postwar bikes also have a ridge on seat post clamp (Figs 4, 4-1), and a stamped, curved upper rear fender brace vice a straight, tubular fender brace on prewar bikes (and early post war bikes) (Figs 5, 5-1). Early postwar from roughly ’46-47 can be confusing as the drop stand ears are normally the only indicator the bike is postwar.

*Note–The ’40-1 “All American” prewar model did not have drop stand ‘ears’ but other frame indicators will identify this frame as prewar.

Beginning in August 1947 the serial will have a large “C” with a small “w” inside it after the serial number. This style of serial number runs until about July of 1949 (Fig 6).

Starting about August 1949 CWC again changed the serial style and after the serial number is an “A” before the big “C” with little “w” (Fig 7). This configuration was used until the end of 1951.

Note: CWC was purchased by AMF in April 1951

Starting in 1952 through 1956 the serial was followed by the last two numbers of the year with the big “C” with the small “w” inside (Fig 9). This makes these bikes very easy to date. Also during 1956 production was moved to Little Rock, Arkansas

Serial number chart compiled from various sources.

1935-36	XX, Z, A
1st Qtr 1937	3rd Qtr 1937	Bxxxxx
3rd Qtr 1937	Mid 1938	Cxxxxx
Mid 1938	1st Qtr 1939	Dxxxxx
1st Qtr 1939	Dec 1939	Exxxxx
Dec 1939	Jul 1940	Fxxxxx
Jul 1940	Dec 1940	Gxxxxx
Dec 1940	Jan 1941	Hxxxxx
Jan 1941	Oct 1941	Jxxxxx
Oct 1941	Dec 1941	Kxxxxx
Jan 1942	Dec 1943	Axxxxx
Sep 1945	Jan 1946	Fxxxxx
Jan 1946	Apr 1946	Gxxxxx
Apr 1946	Aug 1946	Hxxxxx
Aug 1946	Dec 1946	Jxxxxx
Dec 1946	Feb 1947	Axxxxx
Feb 1947	May 1947	Bxxxxx
May 1947	Aug 1947	Cxxxxx Cw
*Aug 1947	Dec 1947	Dxxxxx Cw
Jan 1948	May 1948	Exxxxx Cw
May 1948	Sep 1948	Fxxxxx Cw
Sep 1948	Dec 1948	Gxxxxx Cw
Jan 1948	Mar 1948	Hxxxxx Cw
Mar 1948	Jun 1949	Jxxxxx Cw
Jun 1949	Sep 1949	Axxxxx ACw
Sep 1949	Jan 1950	Bxxxxx ACw
Jan 1950	Apr 1950	Cxxxxx ACw
Apr 1950	Jul 1950	Dxxxxx ACw
Jul 1950	Nov 1950	Exxxxx ACw
Nov 1950	Feb 1951	Fxxxxx ACw
Feb 1951	Jun 1951	Gxxxxx ACw
Jun 1951	Sep 1951	Hxxxxx ACw
Sep 1951	Dec 1951	Jxxxxx ACw
1952	Zxxxxx 52Cw
1953	Zxxxxx 53Cw
1954	Zxxxxx 54Cw
1955	Zxxxxx 55Cw
1956	Zxxxxx 56Cw

* Due to inconsistencies between sources the change in 1947 to the new numbering system is approximate From Aug 1947 through the end of 1951.

Roadmaster was established by the Cleveland Welding Company in 1935 in Cleveland, Ohio. Then after WWII, C.W. Company sold Roadmaster to AMF in 1950 and AMF moved the factory to Little Rock, Arkansas. In 1962, AMF built a new factory and relocated the company operations to Olney, Illinois.

Roadmaster manufactured two wheeled bicycles and children’s vehicles, sidewalk bikes, pedal cars, ride-on toys, tricycles, garden tractors, wagons and playground equipment. In the 1970’s as other types of bikes became popular, Roadmaster manufactured BMX bicycles, mopeds and stationary bicycles.

One of the brand’s most famous moments was when it was featured in the 1979 film, Breaking Away, in which identical Roadmaster track bicycles were used by competitors in the yearly iconic Little 500 bicycle race at the University of Indiana Bloomington.
After two decades of growth AMF started to struggle with management, profitability, and product quality issues and in 1983, AMF sold the assets to a group of employees who later in 1987 sold the company to a business investment group.

The new ownership changed the name to Roadmaster Industries, Inc. and positioned itself as the leader in the fitness equipment, toys, and bicycles and saw a rebirth of demand for its products. Due to the increasing popularity of mountain bikes, Roadmaster experienced an increase in sales in 1993 and a new factory was built in Effingham, Illinois.

In 1996, the Roadmaster bicycle division was sold to the Brunswick Corporation and in 2000 the Brunswick Corporation’s Bicycle division including the Roadmaster brand was sold to Pacific Cycle Inc. Pacific Cycle is headquartered in Madison Wisconsin, and has maintained distribution and sales of Roadmaster bikes and wheeled toys since.

Cleveland Welding Company Serial Numbers By Name

Many years later, Roadmaster still exists as the beloved bicycle and toy brand enjoyed for generations. The Roadmaster brand means quality and value for those that are seeking outdoor fun.

Cleveland Welding Company Serial Numbers 126743 Numbers

Roadmaster, everyday value since 1935.
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