Classic & Vintage - 1970s Columbia Road Bike

Hi, I was wondering if anyone could tell me more about my bike. I recently got this Columbia Dream Machine last week for $5. I since have put new wheels on it, tires and a seat and bar tape. All I know is that the bike is from the 70s but I don't really know to much about it. Does anyone else have a Columbia road bike? I heard that Columbia bikes NOW are Junk but back in the day they were pretty decent. Yea this bike is heavy but it's pretty fun to ride.

That looks like it is going to be a very nice looking ride. Columbia's were never all that great, they were department store bikes -- The parts you have on it exceed the value of the bike, but that really does not matter, if it fits you. What size wheels does it have 27"?

Are you going to reinstall the Ashtabula (one piece) cranks or are you going to install a conversion bottom bracket and use a three piece? That is another area where the conversion bottom bracket and crankset would cost more than the bike's value.

Make sure you post pictures (drive side) when you get it finished.

Thanks! I will be done with everything on Friday. I am going to reinstall the one piece crank that came on the bike. Yea I didn't think the bike was worth much but it does have that nice classic vintage look with the colors and all so I wanted to keep it along those lines just accent the color of the bike with the rims and grip.

I'm a fan of cheap road bikes and yours is going to be a nice one. Like the man said you will have more in the wheels than the bike is worth but that is irrelevant if it fits you and you enjoy riding it..
There's a quiet pleasure in owning and riding cheap bikes...some may disagree but there's a niche for everyone!

Looks great, never be ashamed to ride what you put effort into its always worth it in the satisfaction of making it better than it was. Nice job the paint looks very nice

Thank you, the bike is in overall great condition. The frame is in decent condition with a few chips here and there but hey it's expected and it shows character..lol When I got the bike the back rim was completely bent like someone had ran over it and the derailer was bent and all messed up and the cassette was rusted..but it's coming back together slowly and hopefully have new pictures up. can't wait to get this on the road and show it off... have that pride, even if nobody notices.