Columbia Conundrum

[kreika]

Just for reference here’s a 41 Columbia I used to own. They ride nice. I’d pick up Slicks. Nice clean original paint. Just add wheels and your rolling.

 

[soddruntlestuntle]

Where are you from? That black bike belongs to a friend of mine here in Modesto. I have a Westfield I listed on here for sale as well. Has the same box fenders. All original paint bike minus wheels which were missing when I got it. If you're local to Modesto I'd do $350 for it local pick up. Just add wheels and you're good. I swapped seats also from these photos. It has a beige long spring saddle on it now.

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I’m in Fresno. I love your bike— I wish I knew that $350 would’ve taken it, but to be frank you made my $300 bid the other evening sound like we weren’t even in the same universe, so I’ve made a deal to buy this Westfield.

 

[soddruntlestuntle]

Conundrum solved.

And here she is, Ms. Westfield:

 

[soddruntlestuntle]

I haven’t done anything to her other than wipe her down and apply a bit of wax to see if I could get the paint to shine a bit (answer: YES). I love the Uniroyal chain grip tires, but they’re in pretty poor shape for riding, dagnabit. Have a set of repro brickies to throw on for now. Now then, what kind of accessories might a prewar Westy come equipped with back in the day? A fender light is right out due to the peaked fenders, maybe a bar-mount?

 

[soddruntlestuntle]

Also need help with the serial number, ‘G27186’, with a ‘J1’ stamped just above. If I’m reading @Mercian’s chart from back in 2016 correctly, this frame dates to early 1942, would that be correct?

 

[slick]

I’m in Fresno. I love your bike— I wish I knew that $350 would’ve taken it, but to be frank you made my $300 bid the other evening sound like we weren’t even in the same universe, so I’ve made a deal to buy this Westfield.

You wanted it for $300 complete. Anyway, great buy on the blue bike.

 

[soddruntlestuntle]

You wanted it for $300 complete. Anyway, great buy on the blue bike.

Appreciate it, thanks.

 

[soddruntlestuntle]

Also need help with the serial number, ‘G27186’, with a ‘J1’ stamped just above. If I’m reading @Mercian’s chart from back in 2016 correctly, this frame dates to early 1942, would that be correct?

Can anyone confirm this? Tap, tap, is this thing on?

 

[Mercian]

Hello, @soddruntlestuntle

For some reason your @Mercian didn't summon me (-: I was away for a few days too, but found this whilst catching up.

G27186 : J1 is a January 1942 made frame, G27186 means it was built up very shortly after.

It's an odd period, the US had just entered WW2, and bicycle usage was a patriotic thing to do. Rationing rules were still unknown, so bicycles, especially new ones, were in short supply, and second hand ones were selling for more than new for a while.

There is also quite a bit of variation in the bikes, since old parts seem to be being used up off the shelves.

The nearest survivor I have listed is this G27398 / J1 of @HUFFMANBILL , see post 11. The thread also covers a lot of the odd history of bikes from this time. : https://thecabe.com/forum/threads/s...ion-military-g-519-straight-bar.177234/page-2

I hope this helps.

Best Regards,

Adrian

 

[soddruntlestuntle]

Hello, @soddruntlestuntle

For some reason your @Mercian didn't summon me (-: I was away for a few days too, but found this whilst catching up.

G27186 : J1 is a January 1942 made frame, G27186 means it was built up very shortly after.

It's an odd period, the US had just entered WW2, and bicycle usage was a patriotic thing to do. Rationing rules were still unknown, so bicycles, especially new ones, were in short supply, and second hand ones were selling for more than new for a while.

There is also quite a bit of variation in the bikes, since old parts seem to be being used up off the shelves.

The nearest survivor I have listed is this G27398 / J1 of @HUFFMANBILL , see post 11. The thread also covers a lot of the odd history of bikes from this time. : https://thecabe.com/forum/threads/s...ion-military-g-519-straight-bar.177234/page-2

I hope this helps.

Best Regards,

Adrian

Great insight, thank you!