Compax Paratrooper and Sports Traveler (non-folding) "Folding" Bicycles

Rat Rod Bikes Bicycle Forum

Help Support Rat Rod Bikes Bicycle Forum:

This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate links, including eBay, Amazon, and others.
Joined
Dec 27, 2008
Messages
178
Reaction score
175
Location
Cato, NY
Rating - 100%
14   0   0
So recently I had the fortune to purchase one of each: A complete and original Sports Traveler and a Paratrooper- frame and forks, both built in 1946 by Westfield/Columbia. I had planned to clean up and repaint the Traveler but after getting it home I realize it's just too nice, so I'll clean it up and replace the wheels and tires which I'll use on the Paratrooper. The Traveler has a good set of US Chain tires- 26 X 2.125 that aren't checked and hold air just fine. The paint is over all quite nice and so are the decals. Interesting are the differences between the two frames. The Paratrooper will only take 1.75-2.0 tires. I'm loving the different looks with the handlebars- some one should make a market these again? The Traveler is heavy: 47 lbs.! The clamps actually spread themselves when opened all the way- neat engineering there.
WIN_20210208_16_36_12_Pro.jpg
WIN_20210208_16_36_38_Pro.jpg
WIN_20210208_16_36_50_Pro.jpg
WIN_20210208_16_37_41_Pro.jpg


Decals
WIN_20210211_10_35_08_Pro.jpg
WIN_20210211_10_35_27_Pro.jpg

Head badges
WIN_20210211_10_35_46_Pro.jpg
WIN_20210211_10_36_26_Pro.jpg

Drop outs
WIN_20210208_16_56_27_Pro.jpg

WIN_20210209_11_18_32_Pro.jpg


Fender Bridge
WIN_20210208_16_56_19_Pro.jpg
WIN_20210208_16_57_59_Pro.jpg


Over all fun projects to putter with as winter lingers on here in the northeast. There is some interesting material on the web concerning Columbia's decision to build these bicycles, but no real evidence that they ever saw actual combat. I have some "ratty" plans for the Paratrooper but will leave the Traveler as is, nice original and complete bikes don't show up very often. Any thoughts as to how to best deal with the rough/rust patches?
Cheers!
Fred
 

Latest posts

Back
Top