I picked up this bike on Saturday. As far as I know its an all original 1968 Columbia. The number stamped on the frame reads S236765. Anyone know the model or any other info on this bike? I've been searching the net and can't find much.
1968 Columbia
- Thread starter Redge
- Start date
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I take it you saw it listed on craigslist.
Weren't those Schwinn Varsity's you just picked up on craigslist too? I swore I saw them on there.
Anyways I killed the rear tire during my ride Sunday night. Since they are original, they're so dry rotted that they are cracking apart everywhere. I'm definitely planning on getting some whitewalls for it. I think I need new wheels too as the rear was rubbing the fender at the back once it was pumped full of air. That rear wheel might be warped.
I'm open to any ideas and suggestions.
BTW, I'm still trying to figure out what model this bike is, so any help there would be appreciated.
Weren't those Schwinn Varsity's you just picked up on craigslist too? I swore I saw them on there.
Anyways I killed the rear tire during my ride Sunday night. Since they are original, they're so dry rotted that they are cracking apart everywhere. I'm definitely planning on getting some whitewalls for it. I think I need new wheels too as the rear was rubbing the fender at the back once it was pumped full of air. That rear wheel might be warped.
I'm open to any ideas and suggestions.
BTW, I'm still trying to figure out what model this bike is, so any help there would be appreciated.
I was curious as to the model of your bicycle as well. Looks like it could be a Rambler. check out this photo I saw on Ebay and lemme know what you think. He has it listed as a Rambler. Doesn't have the rack in the back, or the headlight though. Also your bike is definiatly made in 1968 look at the 5th listing from the bottom, on the 2nd link I posted.
http://cgi.ebay.com/Columbia-Vintage-Ra ... dZViewItem
http://www.oldroads.com/co_sn.asp
http://cgi.ebay.com/Columbia-Vintage-Ra ... dZViewItem
http://www.oldroads.com/co_sn.asp
Yup I saw that ebay posting too and it got me thinking my bike might be some variation of that Rambler. The differences are that I've got chrome fenders, a rack, a tank, the seat post of the frame has different decals and the paint scheme is slightly different. Everything else looks to be the same right down to the chain guard.
I wanted to figure out the exact model mainly because I want to find a replacement tank(mines falling apart), but I'll probably have to get a different tank all together.
I wanted to figure out the exact model mainly because I want to find a replacement tank(mines falling apart), but I'll probably have to get a different tank all together.
Have you tried The Cabe? They have good information there. Also there is a link below to tons of Antique Bicycle Info. I have found alot of parts for restorations from these links.
http://www.thecabe.com/
http://www.bikeicons.com/Hot%20Bicycle% ... Links.html
http://www.thecabe.com/
http://www.bikeicons.com/Hot%20Bicycle% ... Links.html
Thanks for those links CastingCrowns. Those are gonna be really helpful. I found this through the 2nd link. http://www.bikeicons.com/1960s%20Columb ... 0Boys.html
Looks to be almost exactly like mine. I dunno what the "33" means though because I can't find anything else about a 60s Columbia "33."
Looks to be almost exactly like mine. I dunno what the "33" means though because I can't find anything else about a 60s Columbia "33."
Your Welcome Redge. That site has tons of resourses. I must say I think you hit the nail on the head with that picture. Looks alot like yours. Not sure what that 33 is either. Wierd. :?
Rat Rod
Owner & Founder
Hey Redge,
Yep....the Varsitys I bought were off the CL. Just about everything I have purchased has come from there.
Hope you got a good deal on that bike. The guy has been listing it out there for a year. Just goes to show that persistence pays off!
You should be able to find just about anything you need on Saturday at the swap meet in Bedford if you go. You're rear wheel just may need truing..hard to say though.
A great local shop for parts and stuff is Bicycle Exchange on Broadway in old downtown Carrollton. They are an old Schwinn dealer and carry lot's of cruiser stuff. Ask for Mitch if you ever go....tell him you found them here.
Yep....the Varsitys I bought were off the CL. Just about everything I have purchased has come from there.
Hope you got a good deal on that bike. The guy has been listing it out there for a year. Just goes to show that persistence pays off!
You should be able to find just about anything you need on Saturday at the swap meet in Bedford if you go. You're rear wheel just may need truing..hard to say though.
A great local shop for parts and stuff is Bicycle Exchange on Broadway in old downtown Carrollton. They are an old Schwinn dealer and carry lot's of cruiser stuff. Ask for Mitch if you ever go....tell him you found them here.
I paid $140 for the bike. I don't know how good or bad a deal that is, but its the most I was willing to pay for it. That bike pictured above sold for $650, so I'd like to think I got an alright deal.
Would truing fix a wheel that might slightly be an oval, as opposed to just wobbly? It doesnt look ovaled but its acting that way. A section of the wheel protrudes the tire into the rear fender lip right at the tail every revolution.
I might just look for a better set of wheels at the swapmeet because the coaster brake barely works and it might be worth just getting a replacement wheel with hub.
I'll be at the swapmeet around 9 or 10. Just look for a guy that doesn't know what he's doing and wearing a Camaro Z28 shirt.
Would truing fix a wheel that might slightly be an oval, as opposed to just wobbly? It doesnt look ovaled but its acting that way. A section of the wheel protrudes the tire into the rear fender lip right at the tail every revolution.
I might just look for a better set of wheels at the swapmeet because the coaster brake barely works and it might be worth just getting a replacement wheel with hub.
I'll be at the swapmeet around 9 or 10. Just look for a guy that doesn't know what he's doing and wearing a Camaro Z28 shirt.
Rat Rod
Owner & Founder
I think you did pretty good on that bike. Seems like the guy started off with some price like $250 or something a year ago. Glad to hear that you didn't pay that for it.
I'd just look for another coaster wheel at the swap meet. By the time you paid to have that one trued and the hub rebuilt you could buy a brand new wheel from the LBS.
I'm not sure what I'll bring to the swap meet. Part me me wants to clean out the garage and make a few bucks and another part of me doesn't want to mess with it all, ha ha.
I will be bringing some RRB shirts to sell.
Steve
I'd just look for another coaster wheel at the swap meet. By the time you paid to have that one trued and the hub rebuilt you could buy a brand new wheel from the LBS.
I'm not sure what I'll bring to the swap meet. Part me me wants to clean out the garage and make a few bucks and another part of me doesn't want to mess with it all, ha ha.
I will be bringing some RRB shirts to sell.
Steve
