Colson looptail parts bin bike

[Salt Flat Cycles]

I picked up this frame a year or so ago as you see it with the mismatched parts. Because of the dropouts I’m guessing post war? Any way to tell the year on these? Looks like number stamped on the bb is 2k400. I think the rack might be from a Huffman, and the fork looks schwinn. The frame looks like it was painted brown, someone sanded that off (kind of), added a rat fink sticker, and then clear coated it. I think I’ll just make it a rider and leave it as rolling pile of different parts. I’ve never had one of these frames and I really like the look of them.

 

[Archie Sturmer]

Sometimes these loop frames have tank fastener holes on the sides of the head tubes, for a big bulbous tank.

 

[Salt Flat Cycles]

I don't see any holes other than for the head badge, so I guess it didn't have a tank? I've done some a bit of research and it looks like this could be a 1952.

 

[Superman1984]

I picked up this frame a year or so ago as you see it with the mismatched parts. Because of the dropouts I’m guessing post war? Any way to tell the year on these? Looks like number stamped on the bb is 2k400. I think the rack might be from a Huffman, and the fork looks schwinn. The frame looks like it was painted brown, someone sanded that off (kind of), added a rat fink sticker, and then clear coated it. I think I’ll just make it a rider and leave it as rolling pile of different parts. I’ve never had one of these frames and I really like the look of them.

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I love loop tail frames and this has so much potential; make a fenderless rat, fendered bare metal rider, mtn klunker and or any kinda custom you want. I would make a wide wood tank for it (if keeping the paint) & rat it to match. Name it Loopy or somethin' fittingly cool

 

[JLF]

A very cool looking frame! Will definitely make for a sweet crusty rider.

 

[mike j]

Colson frames are great, The pre war rainbow & the post war loop tail, are two of my favorites.

 

[Salt Flat Cycles]

Continuing with parts bin theme I built some wheels for this bike over the past weekend. I’ve had a set of new felt thick bricks in my basement but I didn’t have any 24” wheels.

I found a set, painted the rims a different color and swapped out the hubs. The front is high flange from a schwinn, and the rear is shimano cb-e110. The wheels also have heavy duty 11 gauge spokes.

I think they fit this frame and build pretty well. I’m getting excited to make this one a rider!

 

[Superman1984]

Continuing with parts bin theme I built some wheels for this bike over the past weekend. I’ve had a set of new felt thick bricks in my basement but I didn’t have any 24” wheels.
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I found a set, painted the rims a different color and swapped out the hubs. The front is high flange from a schwinn, and the rear is shimano cb-e110. The wheels also have heavy duty 11 gauge spokes.
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I think they fit this frame and build pretty well. I’m getting excited to make this one a rider!
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I'm lovin' it already! Smart move going with the 11g spokes & hoop choice. In case you wanna Bomb it like you stole it! Hahaha. If I could manage to lace wheels I wouldn't use anything less than 12g & no more than 10g if it's powered.

 

[1817cent]

Looking good! Keep it going...

 

[Salt Flat Cycles]

@Superman1984 thanks. The 11g spokes are probably overkill, but that’s what the wheels I took apart came with. Lacing wheels is easier than you think, especially single speed wheels. Buy a $10 cruiser bike with non rusty wheels. Take a wheel completely apart, and try lacing it. It’ll probably take you a few tries. There are plenty of good tutorials and videos. 26” wheels are easier than smaller ones and thinner gauge spokes also make it easier. Spend the money on some good spoke wrenches. I use an upside down frame with some wire taped to it to true them.