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Highwheeler

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Phattiremike

Cruisin' on my Bluebird
I picked up a bunch of goodies yesterday but this one is killer. Appears to be original for the most part. I'm told the tires were replaced 10-15 years ago for a parade and after that it sat on display, the seat seems to be a replaced. The name badge is worn and in a tough spot to get a good read on it, I can see lots of little #'s maybe they are patent dates? The serial # located just forward and under the seat appears to be 80 79 then 52, or 80 73 52.

Any help in identifying would be great. Front tire is 52" the rear is 18.5"

Thank you

Also got a shadow box w/ various Eagle badges, they look real old.

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Yes a 1885 Columbia Expert. You will find a serial number stamped on top of the backbone neck along with the wheel size and also stamped underneath the front fork bridge on the backside. Nice bike and a potential nice rider.
 
Thanks for the info guys. Is it possible when they re did the tires to ride in the parade the fork got turned around? Can’t understand why the head-badge would face the rider.

So what now? Clean or leave it as found, seems like I should rub it down with something and bring it inside. 1885 wow, any ads/advertising on this one Craig?
Btw these wheels spin true so I believe it to be a rider I just don’t have the nuts to attempt it, I’m no kid!

Mike
 
I believe you can get a copy of the Columbia catalog from the Wheelmen library.
Waxoyl is a good rust preventative on your bike.
Also, the dust shield always faces the rider. The patent dates changed over the years and from model to model but probably reads as follows-
Expert Columbia
Made By
Pope Mf'g. Co.
Patented
Nov. 20 1877 July 3 1883
June 3 1879 Feb. 2 1885
Aug. 9 1881 Mar.17 1885
Nov. 8 1881 July 7 1885
Dec. 13 1881 July 28 1885
Jan. 10 1882 July 31 1885
 
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