Columbia Conundrum

[tryder]

Black bike has Columbia fenders and fork.
Perhaps it does have a Columbia frame.

I would still go with the blue one.
It's a lot nicer.

 

[tryder]

It a Westfield frame.

 

[tryder]

Unless it's a '46 or later.
No boxed fenders on those years.

 

[tryder]

Black bike looks pieced together.

 

[soddruntlestuntle]

Black bike looks pieced together.

Considering both the frame and it would appear the crankset as well have been painted or powder coated, it certainly makes sense, especially considering this particular seller has another bike for sale that looks equally suspect. I just may cool my heels and wait until something else comes up, as I'm just not in love with that blue Westfield.

 

[catfish]

How about a close up of the rear drop out?

 

[soddruntlestuntle]

How about a close up of the rear drop out?

View attachment 1849919

This is as close as the seller's pix get:

 

[Freqman1]

The blue bike!
The black bike is not a "Columbia".
It's a "Westfield".
It should have peaked fenders.

What? Both bikes are Westfield built bikes. Columbia was Westfields in house brand. The black bike with the boxed fenders could have easily been badged Columbia. If that chain guard is original to the bike it is not a ‘41 but earlier. The other appears to be prewar as well but a lower level model. I’d go for the box fender bike just because it is more deluxe. You can buy repo tank, rack, and light for this bike because the parts for the repo 1941 F9T all fit this bike. Below is a pic of my original 1940 E9T to give you an idea. Mine has the horn lite and dashboard but the repo light is a suitable substitute and you can even find the repo dashboard if you want to really pump it.

 

[soddruntlestuntle]

What? Both bikes are Westfield built bikes. Columbia was Westfields in house brand. The black bike with the boxed fenders could have easily been badged Columbia. If that chain guard is original to the bike it is not a ‘41 but earlier. The other appears to be prewar as well but a lower level model. I’d go for the box fender bike just because it is more deluxe. You can buy repo tank, rack, and light for this bike because the parts for the repo 1941 F9T all fit this bike. Below is a pic of my original 1940 E9T to give you an idea. Mine has the horn lite and dashboard but the repo light is a suitable substitute and you can even find the repo dashboard if you want to really pump it.

View attachment 1849938

I did find what appear to be nicely reproduced tanks and racks on eBay for the black bike, albeit unfinished. Though I guess I could just paint them black and then they'd match.

 

[Freqman1]

I did find what appear to be nicely reproduced tanks and racks on eBay for the black bike, albeit unfinished. Though I guess I could just paint them black and then they'd match.

Why not paint them a color you like?