Hi, all.

A couple of months ago, an old lady from 3 blocks away in the neighbourhood saw me with one of my old bikes and asked about it. We chatted a while and she said she wanted to give me the old bike that she had used to get to and from work all her career. She's now 82 (and a half), so she first got this bike in her early 20s, maybe 60 years ago.

She had it in her basement, she said she'd put it out for me... I said that I'd help her get it up the stairs, as she walks around the area very slowly with a walker. She had me worried! However, she said that she never let anyone in the house. So, I checked a couple of times the next couple of weeks and no bike, so figured she'd forgotten. 82 1/2, you see...

Then yesterday, the doorbell rang and she'd climbed our stairs with 2 canes to let me know that she'd put the bike out. She remembered my name, occupation, the bikes; I learned my lesson. Last eve we stopped by and wheeled the bike home. I don't know what it is, couldn't find any makers mark anywhere. The frame is actually not so very rusty. I already have it nearly all dismantled; the stem/headset and the cotters are soaking in penetrating fluid tonight.



Thanks!

Search about oxalic acid. A good bath for the frame and components should take care of the rust. Good luck with the post and stem removal. Sorry, can't help on ID'ing.

Great storey! Cool bike, looking forward to seeing the after pics. (sweet Landcruiser too!).

Cheers
Chris

Yes, thanks. I've recently tried oxalic on another recent (and still unfinished) project, a Raleigh Shopper; worked wonders. I think that those cool handlebars might have some major metal loss, though.

Thanks. I wish I could dip IT in oxalic.... (it's actually not too bad)

Mike T.
Ottawa

Need more photos! Interesting crank, I haven't seen one like that before. The handlebar almost looks like an old track bar, upside down.

That's it! I'd been looking for images of vintage cruiser bars. Yes, I've seen racing bars like that.

I think your bike is a Columbia. Downtube setup looks a lot like their chainless bikes from way back.

Cool story! Good luck with it.

Dominion Peerless tire (surely not the original):


New Departure brake:


Sprocket:


Mike T.
Ottawa

Here is the frame, ready for primer and paint....

The handlebars, stem and crankset will go to the chrome shop.

I also just learned that the lady who'd given me the bike has died just over a week ago. Everyone in the neighbourhood knew her to be a tough and fiercely independent person, as I certainly learned from recent experience. I'd been intending to show her the progress before showing the finished bike. Since I have had no luck figuring out the brand of bike, it will now be branded an "O'Callaghan" (her name). When I'm done, I'll show the finished product.

The second I saw the bike, and that crank, I thought of this balloon tire Dayton, built in Dayton, Ohio, that I picked up a few years ago...

Well it's not an American bike, but a Hercules, most likely.
It may have been branded a Columbia, and the "American style" chain ring may have been custom stamped to make it look American, but the frame is lugged, has a Euro BB, has cottered cranks, and the fork crown looks Herc.
Unless I'm mistaken, which won't be the first...

Where did you get the diesel FJ-40? Love it!

From www.oldbike.eu

Same lugs, dropouts, ...and the wheels are indeed the rod-brake type; Mrs. O'Callaghan's bike still had those wheels (impossibly deteriorated) with a coaster brake.

Thanks for the tip; this could be the right ID.