Calling all Columbia Built Bike People!

[Stacey]

WOW! Thank you a billion!!!!!!!!! I’m so excited to finally have an answer!!! Do you know if adult bikes were also available in Mohawk Maroon ? The super deluxe 3 star is more of an apple red. Thank you very much!

 

[SirMike1983]

I just got home and was able to look at the photos you posted! Holy Cow!!!!! Can I ask you how you got the chrome on the blue Columbia Built so shiny? Did you repaint the bike? It looks brand new! Looking at the pre WW II bike I can't help but wonder the story behind that one. Like I wonder who the original owner was and for what he used it. Thank you so very much for sharing the pics! They definitely gave me the inspiration I needed !!

Thank you. The blue bike was original paint that I polished with automotive polish and touched up with matching oil paint and a detailing brush.

The black one came from a collector in California. I don't know who the original owner was, but touring bikes were less common than balloon tire bikes in those days. It probably was a pretty unusual bike in the neighborhood when the original owner first bought it. It was in really nice shape and cleaned up pretty well.

 

[Muji]

While we are on the subject of Columbia, what method did Columbia use to attach the rear drop outs to the frame? Andy’s picture of his 24” on this thread shows a good picture of a drop out. There are two seams, one attaching to the seat stay and one attaching to the chain stay. Are those welded, or “crimped?” What is the long term track record/resilience of that method?