"WHEATPENNY" 1934 Colson

[Toeslider]

I struggled with finding a good name, originally this was going to be called "Colson Golden" but then I sold off the gold Ukai wheel set I was going to use, so I decided I was going to go with predominately copper color, so this seemed fitting.

I had some really nice shots of the base bike taken in the summer in front of the water, but I can't find them right now, so this will have to do. Hopefully putting it on a stand and taking a picture this afternoon does not count as starting early...

Plans include Nexus 3 wheel set, jockey shifter, probably a number/name plate, and some funky bars I hinted at earlier. Speaking of which, I frequently get awesome ideas in the shower, which turn out to be impossible in real life. Having said that, the bars I want to use preclude me from using this fabulous original Art Deco stem, which really bums me out.

But I think the bars will be worth it, and it has taken me in another direction for a stem, which I think will be almost as cool.

I spent a fair amount of time at the hardware store today, looking at copper fittings and some other fasteners, and got some really cool ideas and found some trick off the shelf parts I didn't know existed that will look pretty cool. Can't wait to get started tomorrow!

 

[LukeTheJoker]

Looking forward to seeing it, love copper accessories!

Luke.

 

[American Vintage Bicycle Supply]

I love Colsons. Let me know if you want a Colson badge for that era.

 

[jats]

this thing already looks cool!!

Troy

 

[Toeslider]

Forgot to mention, the paint, or lack thereof, on the frame and fork will remain as-is. Its my favorite thing about the bike!

Here is donor bike number 1:

And here it is, ready to be donated to a charity auction:

 

[Toeslider]

I love Colsons. Let me know if you want a Colson badge for that era.

I got one off you already that I think will work, but if my budget permits, I might want a better one...

 

[LukeTheJoker]

Looks like you scored a multi speed hub wheelset and some cool bars from the donor bike!

Luke.

 

[Toeslider]

Found the original pic when I brought it home, as you can see, it hasn't changed much:

My favorite pic:

Even though the original is missing a lot, I'm going to try to molest it physically as little as possible, which means I already need to find a smaller axle for the front wheel...

 

[SILVERKINGPC]

Or a hand file creating a 1/8th" wider dropout....I get the idea to not change it though....nice frame..

 

[MazdaFlyer]

Good to see those rusty ones being revived and given a second chance in life.

 

[MplsCoaster]

Cool Colson, classy parts

 

[Toeslider]

Problems, problems, problems....

With all the parts I have laying around, it looks like I'm going to have to BUY a stem to do what I want to do. Oh well...

Front axle needs to be swapped out on front wheel, but I may still go with a different hub, which would mean re-lacing the wheel.

Apparently there is no such thing as "durable" copper paint, at least not in new copper color, only "antique" or "aged" copper. Workable, but not what I had in mind. In my search for paint, however, I did discover "copper leafing", which could get expensive but looks like it could be very cool if executed properly...

Naturally, front sprocket is skip tooth, rear is standard. The rear has an even number of teeth, so I'm assuming I can just grind off every other one? I feel like if I lose the front sprocket there's hardly anything left of the original bike.

More parts I picked up today:

Oh yeah, the bars I want to use are 3/4" to short on each side to get the grips on, but I think I can fix that...

 

[The Renaissance Man]

I'm going to try to molest it physically as little as possible, which means I already need to find a smaller axle for the front wheel...

Use the axle that you have and file it flat on each side 'till it fits. That's what I'm planning to do on the Drag King. Great start!

 

[Toeslider]

Unfortunately, this bike is old enough that the fork does not have a "slot", it has a "hole", so no go on the filing, but I like the way you're thinking.

 

[SILVERKINGPC]

You can still enlarge the hole......just drill it out to a larger
diameter hole....the loss of strength is minimal...don't let it
dissuade you from using the hub/wheel combo you envision...

 

[Scribble]

like this one so far, keep up the good work

 

[Toeslider]

Didn't want to really drill much of anything, because even though its seen better days, it is still a somewhat rare Colson.

Through some sort of divine intervention, the stem I desired came my way via Craigslist today:

 

[baldwooky]

When you say there is no durable copper paint, why do you say that? Provided the proper prep work and primer, any paint should last.

What are you trying to paint exactly that is not working?

 

[Skipton]

Good stuff happening hear already.

Check out ichibikes http://www.ichibike.com
He's a member hear also @ichi bike
He sells a skiptooth cog for the Nexus hub... Really nice part and easy to swap.
Keep up the great work.

 

[Toeslider]

When you say there is no durable copper paint, why do you say that? Provided the proper prep work and primer, any paint should last.

What are you trying to paint exactly that is not working?

I should have said there's no good CHEAP copper paint that looks like new copper. If you look close at the cans, most of it says it is for indoor use, some even say they are not designed to be durable. Anything that is good, like a standard Rustoleum spray can or high temp/barbecue paint is either a hammered or antique finish. Anything that is supposed to look like new or polished copper is supposed to be used on things that won't get handled much, like picture frames.

I'm kind of getting into the copper leaf idea though. I think I can make that work.