1947 Columbia spit shine is DONE !!!

[Walker]

Picked up this 47 Columbia just the other week, looked to be in really nice shape under all the barn filth...Just going to clean it up and make the most of the original parts. Might add a re-pop fender light as it really needs something up there...Has a bent truss rod which is no big deal and a little battery corrosion in the tank. The battery tray has an old repair in it so will probably swap the tray out with a spare.

Here's how it looked after it followed me home


Everything came apart very easily, check out how clean the headset parts are, this is straight out of the frame!


Just using soap and water and will later apply some cleaner wax.




Rear fender was filthy under the rear rack!


Hoping the chrome will clean up..

 

[LukeTheJoker]

Looks good, a little elbow grease and I bet it looks great!

Luke.

 

[Walker]

Thanks Luke.

Just wiped down the frame and the wax is putting a nice shine on so far. It's rare to find a clean, nearly rust free bike like this up in New England. Even the bolt that secures the front fender which is a slotted bolt down in the steerer tube came right out and is nearly rust free, these are usually toasted.

Wheels are caked with funk and with temps near zero I'm not exactly sure how I will be cleaning them up. Usually they would get a simple green soak in the yard before coming in the house. I thought the spokes were rusty but they are in pretty good shape, just filthy..

more photos asap, trying to knock this out over the weekend

 

[Walker]

rubbing out the wax finish on the fenders..


front fender bolt, I know, boring part but so clean!


Wheel shots.. Lobdell drop centers and ND hubs, Tires are matching but cracked US Royal Master "Centepede Grip"




Need an opinion, change the rear fender screws or leave the originals? There is no shine left on the orig hardware..

 

[Walker]

All the paint polishing is done..just need to tackle the drivetrain and wheels..




Bummer...

 

[SCHWINNRAY69]

I don't know, that tire on the right looks like a slick!

Nice work so far, I'll be watching

 

[DJ Bill]

Wow, that is a great bike for the Northeast....actually for anywhere. Nice find and nice cleanup!

 

[Walker]

Thanks Guys!

Fortunately most of the stuff on the wheels was really dry, probably cobwebs, sawdust and whatever else. The bulk of it came off pretty easily with a stiff plastic bristle scrub brush, went over the rims with a scotchbright pad and the hubs with a soft wire brush. As I had hoped the dirt preserved the chrome on the rear hub. most of the chrome on the front rim is coming off unfortunately...Hubs are ready for tear down but that will wait till tomorrow evening.




quick buffing job on the rear Persons reflector..



That's all for tonight...

 

[rrtbike]

Looking good, kinda fun without the rust slowing you down. Wheels are always my least favorite parts to clean too.

 

[noodlenoggin]

Holy wow. All of that paint's original? This is the kind of bike that makes me go "oh yeah." When I bought my wife's Firestone I was impressed that everything came apart like yours -- no drama and no rust. I've never experienced that before, and it's awesome.

And if it were me, I'd keep the original hardware, shine or no shine, just because it's original.

 

[Walker]

Yup. all original paint.. I put the og hardware back in last night, new is just too shiny... If I replaced anything it would be the front hoop as the rust has really taken a toll on the chrome. it's all just flaking off. Weird that the rear rim isn't suffering the same way. Might also have to hunt for a Delta torpedo light, the chrome re-pop light I have is too clean.

I'm hoping I have a nice set of vintage tires kicking around for it...

 

[DJ Bill]

Just be on the lookout in the swap meets for a better rim to replace that front one. Lace it in with some nice spokes and it should look mucho better.
I've noticed the rear hubs with the oil in them always seem to be in nicer shape than the front hubs, maybe the hub grease saved the rim too.
Good move on keeping the original hardware.

 

[Walker]

I'll keep plugging away tonight. It will be months before the next swap meet but I'll figure something out...

 

[Walker]

antique shop that I pass on my way home has a an old bike in the window, there looked to be a delta torpedo light sitting on the rear rack. might have to check that out tomorrow..

 

[Walker]

Got into the dirty work tonight...polished up the crankset, sprocket and truss rods, cleaned and repacked bottom bracket and overhauled both hubs. Is it possible that the New Departure factory ran out of grease back in 1947 and substituted shoe polish. Just about the dirtiest, greasiest rear hub I have ever taken apart. Only one broken brake disc which was surprising since everything else looks low mileage. Anyhow, the rims need a bit more cleaning to remove the minor surface rust then they are ready to install. I found a pair of matching tires, just need to pull them from the rack and of course they are at the bottom..


Truss rods before:

After

 

[Walker]

sorry for the bad photos, the ballast in my shop light is on the way out so the light just goes out every now and then...

 

[LukeTheJoker]

Keep those pics coming, looking good!

Luke.

 

[Walker]

no progress tonight, went out for my birthday dinner with my wife and gorged on awesome Italian food..

 

[Carbon]

Looking good, I was gonna say, wire wheel that original fender hardware then clear coat it, wire wheel will bring out the shiny silver again.

 

[Walker]

Finally wrapped it up tonight... Wheels are cleaned and polished, hubs repacked, tires mounted and pressurized. The front turned out better than I hoped but still would be nice to have a chrome finish that was more like the rear hoop.


Chain was really clean, still has bluing


hanging the last of the sheet metal


grips and pedal blocks cleaned up well with soap and water. Polished up the bars/stem and bolts.



Pedals before


pedals after


I spent a few minutes hammering out the crease in the tank, also swapped out the rotted battery tray.