Copper bike... What is it?

[kirbin_old_spokes]

Picked this frame up but having a hard time getting and ID on it. Anyone help me with figuring out the make? It also came with copper fenders.

Also, is there such a thing as a copper bike from the factory or is this likely plating done after the fact?

Thanks in advance!

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[jacob9795]

Is copper magnetic? Can we detect some level of attraction with a small magnet? Is a magnet attracted to the frame/fenders? Could the frame/fenders be electroplated?

 

[jacob9795]

Post some observations.

 

[GTs58]

If that's copper plated it would not look like fresh copper unless it was clear coated with something. It would look like an old penny. Maybe someone shot the bike with some Coppertone translucent paint?

 

[dnc1]

Perhaps it never made it to the nickel tank!

 

[kirbin_old_spokes]

Fenders

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[kirbin_old_spokes]

Is copper magnetic? Can we detect some level of attraction with a small magnet? Will a magnet be attracted to the frame/fenders? Could the frame/fenders be electroplated?

It is magnetic so definitely not solid copper. I was guessing electroplated by the owner at some point since the crown race is also plated. Doubt that would happen if this was a factory job.


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[GTs58]

Yep, looking at the fenders it was definitely copper plated. I suppose @dnc1 is on the right track thinking someone was going to chrome the bike.

 

[Adamtinkerer]

The serial looks like Cleveland Welding, maybe a wartime bike.

 

[Duchess]

In the shot of the BB, you can see the steel grain through the copper. As a copper lover, maybe it was intended to be nickeled, but when they saw it come out of the copper plate tank, they decided to stop there.