Columbia Firebolt......Factory Black Wheels ???

[Kato]

Doing some homework on a Columbia Firebolt - I think it's a 59-61 or so.
Bike looks very original except the wheels and spoke nipples only are black and I was told original owner said it was that way new.
I'm striking out on finding that as an option / other bikes with black wheels.
I did find a pic of a bike with what looks to have white wheels but the spoke nipples only are black where it meets the wheel.

Has anybody ever heard /seen anything like this.........?
Thanks in advance
Kato

 

[coasterbrakejunkie1969]

Doing some homework on a Columbia Firebolt - I think it's a 59-61 or so.
Bike looks very original except the wheels and spoke nipples only are black and I was told original owner said it was that way new.
I'm striking out on finding that as an option / other bikes with black wheels.
I did find a pic of a bike with what looks to have white wheels but the spoke nipples only are black where it meets the wheel.

Has anybody ever heard /seen anything like this.........?
Thanks in advance
Kato

I have not perhaps @Superman1984 may know he loves his Thunderbolt a '64 I believe. Pleas post some pics of the bike please.

 

[Superman1984]

I have not perhaps @Superman1984 may know he loves his Thunderbolt a '64 I believe. Pleas post some pics of the bike please.

I don't think any bike came with black nippled spokes, should be brass, chrome, nickle & or cad

I know if you naval jelly or ospho etc to remove rust it'll darken the metal not plated. I am still learning so take it 50/50 & My Columbia is a Firebolt buddy
I wish it was a 4 wheel V8 Thunderbolt

 

[Adamtinkerer]

Columbias of the '50s and '60s had really weak chrome. Some wheels were cad plated even! I haven't seen any painted rims besides ivory or white during that era.

 

[MrColumbia]

These came with chrome wheels. I'm not aware of any Columbias from the 50's or 60's with black wheels.

 

[Superman1984]

These came with chrome wheels. I'm not aware of any Columbias from the 50's or 60's with black wheels.

Can you clarify something for me? Was the integrated Columbia/Western Flyer frames like mine Only 63 & 64?

I don't want to thread hijack but I've seen older threads claiming these frames are 60-65 & would like some general consensus despite the bug eye tanks etc. Frames don't appear to be any different ....

 

[Adamtinkerer]

Can you clarify something for me? Was the integrated Columbia/Western Flyer frames like mine Only 63 & 64?

View attachment 1452399

View attachment 1452398

I don't want to thread hijack but I've seen older threads claiming these frames are 60-65 & would like some general consensus despite the bug eye tanks etc. Frames don't appear to be any different ....

I believe the Newsboy models with this frame were only offered '63/4, I think the Firebolt had it longer.