COLUMBIA BUILT BAR HOPPER

[Reallybigtim]

Found this cool little '56 Columbia Built 20" straight-bar frame, tank, and fork online a few weeks ago. Thought I might see if I could make something interesting out of it. All original paint with the original (and very unique) kickstand. This should make a cool little cruiser.

 

[léocwc]

Beautiful

 

[OddJob]

You're going to have fun with that! Really dig that 'monostay' frame in the rear. Lots of room for phat tires too!

 

[sandman]

You're going to have fun with that! Really dig that 'monostay' frame in the rear. Lots of room for phat tires too!

OJ beat me to the punch , fat tires .

 

[Dr. Tankenstein]

I’d make a ‘pig bike’ out of it with some 20x2.5 street BMX tires on it, set of apehangers and a black banana set. Keep it simple.


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[Reallybigtim]

I already have a basic "Bar Hopper" vision for this bike. But as a stock bike, I feel that there are some visual and functional problems in the basic frame design. First of all, the tank does not sit level like it would on a 26" straight-bar bike. A level tank is very important for "the look" of this build. I installed a vintage set of wheels to show how un-level the tank sits originally. My goal is to build a modified springer fork that will lower the front enough to let the straight bar of the frame sit level. While it would be cool to use an original Columbia springer; it unfortunately would not accomplish the goal of lowering the front end without a major re-design to the fork. Therefore, I will probably go with some kind of highly-modified Schwinn-style springer. Another original design flaw is that the bottom bracket is designed to have too much ground clearance. This problem will also be solved by lowering the front end. And there will still be plenty of ground clearance for the cranks to swing-through without scraping. Hopefully, the kickstand will still be functional and usable also.

 

[Reallybigtim]

After some experimenting with some assorted mocked-up springer parts........using a bent springer with the spring removed gave me everything that I wanted. It leveled the tank. It lowered the bottom bracket just the right amount. It still allowed for the use of the kickstand. And it even extended the front tire forward in the same way that it appears that the rear tire is extended backwards (this is a long frame!). All the design aspects of the frame work very well with this combination (even the seat tube and steering head angles). It's almost like the frame was designed for this fork. Very cool!

 

[Dr. Tankenstein]

That!


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[Reallybigtim]

This gives a good idea of "the look" I am wanting for this build. Small period seat and early wide apes with big red coke bottle grips. The white rims work well with the white tank. The black seat works well with the black tires. The red grips work well with the red frame. The whole front end is chrome. Simple and clean!

 

[MattiThundrrr]

Using the panels of the garage door as a reference, looks like the BB dropped by 3-4 inches. The kickstand might need some work

 

[sandman]

" SHAZAM "

 

[MattiThundrrr]

It really does look like it is supposed to be that way. Magnificent!

 

[Ben lay]

Anything you want to learn to do to a car or bicycle can be learned , except one. The eye. Having THE EYE. That instant knack for color combinations and contrasts , proportions , the vibe... You know what I'm saying. No art degree can teach it, mit can't teach it. But you sir, on this one and as always, have THE EYE! Very nice build sir

 

[Reallybigtim]

Anything you want to learn to do to a car or bicycle can be learned , except one. The eye. Having THE EYE. That instant knack for color combinations and contrasts , proportions , the vibe... You know what I'm saying. No art degree can teach it, mit can't teach it. But you sir, on this one and as always, have THE EYE! Very nice build sir

Wow! Highest praise! Thank you, Ben! I consider myself lucky because I see everything as art. An amazing amount of research and development go in to my builds. I am always trying to think of ways to make cool things more visually appealing. It's always very flattering when others appreciate my art.

 

[Reallybigtim]

Using the panels of the garage door as a reference, looks like the BB dropped by 3-4 inches. The kickstand might need some work

Kickstand actually works even better now. It fell over easily with the original fork (too much lean). Now it's just enough angle without being too much.

 

[MattiThundrrr]

That is beautiful.

 

[Reallybigtim]

With the front end dropped 5" and extended 6.5", it weirdly looks like this frame was designed to run a modified fork. All aspects improved.

 

[MattiThundrrr]

Now the original set up looks all "slack" to me, like a modern geo MTB. That frame was made for slamming

 

[Reallybigtim]

Now the original set up looks all "slack" to me, like a modern geo MTB. That frame was made for slamming

I can't imagine that the original design would have made a very good riding bike. Maybe that's why there's not many left remaining in existence. I would like to have a hundred of them.

 

[Reallybigtim]

Comparing 26" Columbia versus 20" Columbia frames.