When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.

1942 Columbia lightweight spoke color

-

Goldslinger

Finally riding a big boys bike
I am cleaning and greasing my girls 42 Columbia lightweight. What do you think the finish was on the spokes? They are mostly rusty but near the hubs they look either blued or black.
F9D10B71-09B3-4358-994F-960449C3DE5D.jpeg
 
I have a few random spokes of the same vintage with the same finish. They certainly have polished black appearance. My guess is some type of bluing. I also have other wartime spokes which are a dark, charcoal, matte finish, which I think are instead zinc or manganese phosphate.
 
Back
Top