Search results

The first generation Colson tandem ran from 1934 to 1938. The second generation Colson tandem ran from 1939 to 1941. They look very different. Neither came with rear racks. The first generation did not have a headlight or chain guards. The second generation had a single, not dual headlights...

The second generation Colson tandem was built from 1939 to 1941.

Is that chrome or nickel?

In my opinion, the 52 tooth would be too high & the 36 too low to use with a 3 speed. 42 to 46 teeth would work better.

Too good to be true? If true, amazing!

Give me a few days. I'll e-mail you the information.

Still a difference Women specific saddles are still shorter than mens. They are also wider under the sit bones because women's pelvics are wider than men's. Women give birth, men don't.

Ride it! I have Blunts with Amsterdams on my 1924 Ranger. I'm riding it with the original Aristocrat saddle & the Brompton red pedals. Still good after 90 years so why not still ride them. In fact, just back from riding it.

Older? I am far from an expert but the wooden rims & flat fender braces suggests to me that the bike is older than you think. Teen's maybe? I'm sure those better qualified will chime in.

Velox Rules! I won't use anything but Velox. When I get a bike, new or used, one of the first things I do is throw out the rubber strips & replace with Velox. Not a place to cheap out.

Shimano chains use a special pin to reassemble the chain. You also need a special chain tool to drive the pin. SRAM chains use a master link. The old style chains such as Sedis used a chain tool such as the Cyclo brand. You do not drive the pin all the way out, leaving it in the side plate...

I guess John Polizzt doesn't know what he is talking about. Any other things in his Mead book that are wrong? My impression is that Mead's Elgins had nothing to do with Sear's Elgins.

I'm quite sure that Coast to Coast was a hardware store chain.

Mead Elgins Elgin was also a Mead head badge. John Polizzi's Mead book shows 1921 catalog pages for Elgin Motor Bikes. Compared to the Rangers, appear to be less expensive bikes without tanks.

Not necessarily! We got our Santana in 1999 & my wife would be very unhappy if we sold it as would I unless we got another one.

My wife & I have done the Central Lakes Trail & have done the Root River Trail many times & it is wonderful. Darcie is right, Whalen has great pies. And check out the Cannon River, the Paul Bunyon, the Heartland & the Mesabi trails. The Gitchi-Gumi trail on the north shore of Lake Superior...

I hoped we would hear from you. Don't go all soft on us. I like your smart ass comments.

Nice horn! According to the Mead ads they came with a Catamount horn. Is yours? It looks like one. If not has anyone seen one in the metal or for sale?

It's really great stuff! Got mine at O'Reilly Auto Parts.

41 lbs for a 1898 tandem? Impressive! But then the workmanship & quality of materials on TOC bikes are impressive.

Maybe it's no fun to ride.

Can't tell from the photo but the black plastic shift levers could be Simplex. The rear derailleur doesn't look like a Simplex so hard to say what is original. They would both be the same if original.

Bill Triplett's Colsons I think that Bill's 37 Commander & his 1938 Imperial Model 07468 are the two coolest vintage bikes that I have ever seen, bar none. I went to nostalgic.net & couldn't find them any more but then googled Bill Triplett Colson & found them. Who is Bill Triplett & what...

Don't think it's a Colson Since I have an oddball Colson tandem, I have researched Colson tandems & believe you do not have a Colson. Your frame is different than either the 1934-38 or the 1939-41 models. Also the front chain wheel is wrong, can't tell about the rear. The linkage between the...

I don't know anything about Cadet speedometers, but the graphics on the black faced one look prewar, has a definite Art Deco look.

Sounds great! If I was close I'd be there but from Minnesota it's a long drive. To see what we do in this neck of the woods google Lake Pepin Three Speed Tour & also the All British Cycling Event.

Very cool remains of an old building in the first couple of photos. An old factory?

Just curious Why the high prices on 20 inch bikes? Most adults can't ride or wouldn't ride a 20 inch wheel. If I can't ride it I don't want it. I might consider a TOC bike for display only but not a 50's bike.

The two ads in John Polizzi's Mead book show the Pathfinder without a tank. One ad shows a ruby red with French grey trim, no rack & a Troxel #2 saddle. The other ad dark red with black trim & a ribbed steel rack, not the tubular like the Ranger. This second bike might have the same handlebars...

Ride the Hercules. Sit on the saddle & put your heel on the pedal with your leg straight. With the ball of your foot on the pedal, you should have about a 5 degree bend in your leg. If you have a nice B-17 Brooks, that would be the way to go. Do not use a fat seat for distances. Padded...

I would be interested. How do I contact you?

I like this. I don't feel so bad about the paint flaws & runs on my Colson tandem!

Forgot to add, yours is a 1939-1941. Google Colson tandem & you should get pictures of what it should look like.

The patent date is on the outside on my 1924 Ranger, which I'm sure is correct. The chain line is spot on.

Terrific link! Thanks for sharing this with us.

Colson Tandems Colson started production of their tandems in 1933. In late 1938 there was a change to the more high style Art Deco influenced 1939-1941 model. They all have the linked dual steering. This information is from John Polizzi's Colson book.

1955? Reminds me of the coral, black & white 1955 Dodge. Or us cool guys in 1955 with our black suits, pink shirts & pink & black ties.

Wow! That is one freaking gorgeous bike. Love it. What components are you going to build it up with? If it's 52cm c-to-c, I'll be even more jealous.

Looks like the steer tube is bent back. Probably took a direct hit.

3D Printing? I've been reading about 3D printing lately. A Minnesota company that is a leader in 3D printing, did a car prototype. I thought 3D only did plastic but I read that can also do stainless steel. I have no idea what it would cost but some guy did a gun so it can't be completely...

We have a 24" girl's Hiawatha Navajo that came from Bismarck ND. We bought at the Gold Rush swap in Minnesota. The seller said that it had been stored in an attic for years & is in terrific condition. I am almost certain it is Huffman built.

Prairiegirl, are you still around? delete. should be in balloon tire.

I Meant the Car I thought it might be a Ferrari with the scoop running the length of the door but the rear wheel threw me off. Sweet.

Nice Alfa. What is that sitting next to it?

Braze, not Weld The steer tube on my Ranger was in really bad shape so I took it to one of the best frame builders in Minnesota. He removed the old tube & BRAZED in a new one. Not any paint left on the fork crown so can't say if it would have affected paint. No discoloring of the nickel. I...

The two big bike rack companies are Yakima (American) & Thule (Swedish). They are both high quality but not cheap. For carrying bikes on top of your vehicle, you get the towers & crossbars & then install the mounting system you want. There are a number of options for bikes, including systems...

I am no expert on IJ but if it has a ND Model C rear hub with the steel rim, wouldn't that indicate a late 20's bike? I believe production of the Model C began in 1927.

I had a West End in the 1950's. It was a single speed light weight, made in Germany. It was red & the darts had sort of a pearl effect. Kind of pretty.

Hiawatha Navajo Huffman build We have a 24" girls Hiawatha Navajo which I believe is completely original. I am almost certain that it is a Huffman build. It has rear facing drop outs, 1/2" chain & the serial # is on the seat post clamp which makes it a 1948-49, I believe. It is a plain...

I'll be able to give you more info next week after I talk to my friends who are English 3 speed experts. My guess is that it precedes the Raleigh buy out of many of the British brands in the early '60s, including Hercules. If so, it wouldn't have any reflectors. I'm also guessing that you are...