Bought 3 bikes today.....

[oldcars]

I bought 3 bikes, and also some fender lights and an extra seat today, hopefully you guys will be able to tell me what I have ! The black & red Columbia looks to have a newer fork (with brakes) and it has been rattle can "restored" at some time, also a modern light. Did Columbias this ere even come in black & red? no idea? The white bike looks to be an Elgin, also with a newer fork. The all black bike has a head badge marked "PILOT Seattle Sporting Goods" ? I wonder who made it? Is the Tank correct?

Also I picked up three Chicago made fender lights, and a "Wrights" brand leather saddle ?

 

[MattiThundrrr]

Nice looking acquisitions, but I have to agree with you on the forks. Those arched tube tops and dropouts look more 90s (or later) to me. Some places require front brake as backup, or perhaps the owner wanted the added confidence? I don't feel them necessary, my cruisers don't have them. The other thing to consider is damage done to rims by the pad friction. On alloy it isn't a big deal, but steel might have issues, chrome or painted even worse

 

[Tallbikeman]

These bikes look like someone did a nice job getting older bikes up and running again. Forks are designed to bend before the frame does so It isn't odd to see replacement forks on an older frame. These look like very serviceable, rideable bicycles. I think the restorer had a thing about fork reinforcement rods from yesteryear and made some up for these modern forks. Nice job all the way around. I think you did well buying these bikes and the accessory lights and saddle.

 

[deorman]

Can't be sure from here but I think the Columbia Started life as a repop.

 

[Wildcat]

Yep the Columbia is a repop Suberb from around 1997. The forks are something I've never seen where the trusses connect at the bottom. I zoomed in and it looks like the replacement fork had extensions made up to fit the truss rods.

The black bike looks like a 60's AMF frame and fork. Everything else was added later, but maybe the tank is the original or at least a 60's tank. Compare the paint on the inside of the tank to the frame's original color which may show on the inside of the head tube or BB.

The white bike is the best of the bunch. All three are good but the Elgin looks super.
Definitely pre-war.