Before WWII it was common that bikes were available in "all black" finish, where the normally plated parts were painted black instead. Earlier bikes from the 1910s and 20s were offered in all-black or nickel plated and then all black or chrome in the 1930s onward. It was a cost-saving option, but popular in the 1920s and 30s.

I owned a large and impressive 1935 Hercules Model G "all black" roadster. It was a large, heavy bike and rode very upright as the old roadsters tended to do. The all-black rims were worn and rusted out so I replaced with new chromed rims. But stock, almost everything on the bike was black. I sold it a number of years ago because it was too big for me.