The AMF Bicycle Company was founded in 1895 and produced a wide variety of bicycles until it ceased operations in 1983. Among the most popular models were the Varsity, Continental, Super-10, and Firestone. Today, these bicycles are highly sought after by collectors and often sell for hundreds or even thousands of dollars.
One of the key factors in determining the value of an AMF bicycle is the serial number. This number can be used to date the bike and often provides clues as to its original owner. The serial number chart below can help you determine the age and value of your AMF bike.
If you’re a fan of old bikes, then you know that finding the serial number on an AMF bicycle can be a bit tricky. But never fear, we’ve got you covered! Here’s a quick and easy guide to help you find the serial number on your AMF bike:
First, take a look at the head tube. On most AMF bikes, the serial number will be stamped somewhere on the head tube. It’s usually located near the bottom of the tube, just above where it meets the fork.
If you don’t see anything stamped on the head tube, don’t worry – it could just be hidden by paint or dirt. In that case, try looking at other parts of the frame for a stamp or engraving that says “AMF.” The bottom bracket is another common spot for serial numbers on AMF bikes.
Once you’ve found theserial number, consult our handy chart below to date your bike. Just match up the first two digits of your serial number with those in our chart – easy as pie!
Serial Number Chart:
First Two Digits Last Two Digits Year
55 01 1955
56 02 1956
57 03 1957
58 04 1958
1960’s AMF Roadmaster Jet Pilot Classic Bike Restoration – Final Video Part 7
How Can You Tell the Year of a Bicycle by the Serial Number?
Bicycles have been around for centuries, with the first known two-wheeled ride appearing in China in 1418. Over the years, they’ve evolved from being a simple mode of transportation to a popular recreational activity and even a competitive sport. Along with this evolution has come an increase in the number of ways to identify different bicycles.
One of these is through the use of serial numbers, which can be used to tell the year a bike was manufactured. Serial numbers on bicycles are usually located on the bottom bracket shell (the part of the frame where the pedals attach). The number will be stamped or etched into the metal and can usually be found near one of the crank arms.
In some cases, especially on older bikes, you may need to clean away some rust or grime in order to see it clearly. The format of bicycle serial numbers has changed over time as manufacturers have switched from one numbering system to another. However, there are some general trends that can be used to date a bike based on its serial number.
For example Pre-1970s: Serial numbers on bikes from this era are typically shorter, consisting of 4-6 digits. These numbers are generally thought to represent production quantities rather than actual dates, so they’re not always reliable for pinpointing when a particular bike was made.
The 1970s-1980s: During this period, many manufacturers switched to using longer serial numbers consisting of 7-9 digits. These were often date-coded, with each digit representing a specific component of the manufacturing process (e.g., month/day/year). As such, they can be helpful for narrowing down when a bike was made but may not give an exact date unless you know how to decode them specifically for your make and model bicycle.
Some companies also began stamping “born-on” dates during this time period (e..g, 6/85), which provide an even more precise way to determine when a particular bike rolled off the assembly line. 1990s-present: Since about 1990, most bicycle manufacturers have adopted 11-12 –digit UPC codes as their primary means of identification. While these don’t directly reveal dates as earlier formats did, they can sometimes be traced back to specific production runs by cross-referencing them with other online resources.
How Do I Look Up a Bikes Serial Number?
There are a few ways that you can look up a bike’s serial number. The most common way is to look for it on the bottom bracket of the frame. Most bikes will have the serial number stamped into the metal of the bottom bracket.
Another place to look is on the head tube, just below and behind the handlebars. Some bike manufacturers put their serial numbers here instead of on the bottom bracket.
If you can’t find the serial number on either of these places, it might be etched into one of the dropouts (the part of the frame where the wheels attach).
This is less common, but it’s worth checking if you can’t find it anywhere else.
Once you’ve found the serial number, you can use it to look up information about your bike online. There are a few different databases that keep track of this sort of thing (like this one from Trek Bicycles), so you might need to try a few before you find what you’re looking for.
But once you have the right database, you should be able to input your bike’s serial number and get information like when and where it was made, as well as its model year and other details.
When Did Amf Make Bicycles?
In 1892, American Machine and Foundry Company, or AMF, was founded in New York City. The company began by manufacturing steel barrels and other metal products. In the early 1900s, AMF diversified its product line to include bicycles.
AMF became a major player in the bicycle industry in the 1920s when it acquired several smaller companies, including Cleveland Welding Company and Huffman Manufacturing Company. By the middle of the decade, AMF was producing more than 1 million bicycles per year. The company continued to grow throughout the 1930s and 1940s.
In 1949, AMF acquired Selby Bathing Corporation, which made swimwear and beach umbrellas. This purchase helped AMF branch out into the leisure industry. In 1963, Sidney Weinberg retired as president of AMF but remained chairman of the board until his death in 1972.
During his tenure, Weinberg oversaw AMD’s transformation from a small metal-products manufacturer into a large conglomerate with interests in sporting goods, leisure products, and industrial equipment.
Did Amf Make Bicycles?
No, AMF did not make bicycles. They were an American manufacturing company that produced a variety of products, including bowling equipment and motorcycles.
Credit: vintageamericanbicycles.com
Roadmaster Bicycle Serial Numbers
Roadmaster bicycle serial numbers can be found on the frame of the bike, just below the handlebars. The serial number will be stamped into the metal and will usually consist of 7 or 8 digits. This is a unique identifier for your bike, so if you ever need to replace parts or register your bike with the manufacturer, you’ll need to know this number.
The first two digits of the serial number indicate the year that the bike was made, so a Roadmaster with a serial number starting with “19” would have been made in 2019. The next few digits indicate the production run – so a higher number means that your bike was made later in the year. The last digit is usually a check digit, used to verify that the other numbers in the serial are correct.
If you’re trying to date your Roadmaster bicycle, then you can use this information to get an approximate age for your bike. However, it’s worth noting that not all Roadmasters will have their serial numbers in exactly this format – some may have slightly different arrangements of numbers and letters. If you’re unsure about how to interpret your particular serial number, then it’s best to contact Roadmaster directly for clarification.
Conclusion
If you’re trying to identify an AMF bicycle, the first step is to check the serial number. This helpful chart can help you decode the numbers and determine the manufacture date of your bike. With this information, you can begin to narrow down which model of AMF bicycle you have.