1935 Colson Motorbike

[elginkid]

I'm guessing this is a 1935 Colson. I bought this one when I got a 1936 Schwinn-Built Fleet (ladies) as sort of an afterthought. I was planning to fix the Fleet up and sell it, and I figured what the hey, get two bikes for one trip, and the price was reasonable. Well, this may be my new favorite bike. It's a tall frame (20") relatively speaking for the period, and it fits just right. I tossed the wheels from the Fleet on (I cleaned them up, still need to rebuild the hubs) and took it for a test ride around the block. Now I know what people mean when they say a bike rides like a Cadillac. I don't think it was originally a 28" either. Though there is quite a bit of clearance in the rear, there is very little in the front. I may need to get a smaller 8 tooth rear sprocket and pull it back in the dropout.

Before: I'm not sure I've ever seen tires that shot before

Now:

I'm running to the bike shop now to see if I can get the nuts I need for a nice set of Lobdell Double Drop center rims, and see if I can't get all of these puppies up and running today.

 

[badlandkustoms]

8) Thats a great lookin bike

 

[irene_crystal]

I love it! I'm looking for a rider like that now....

 

[Rustinkerer]

SWEEEET! 8) -Adam

 

[JLarkin]

Nice bike. I think you just need a couple more chainlinks to move that wheel back.

 

[elginkid]

That's how the chain came though. It needs to be soaked to loosen it up though, some of the links are still unhappy. I'd like to get an 8 tooth rear sprocket instead, which will give more speed, and have the same end result. It has a weird "master" link though. It's got a small screw in it. I don't know if that was later, or if it was original, but I put a screwdriver through my finger trying to get it out.

 

[El Duderino]

i wanna ride it

 

[elginkid]

By all means. If it ever stops raining a motorbike ride is totally in order.