I am restoring my parents' 1939 Colson tandem bike.
07-03-17, 10:54 AM
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I am restoring my parents' 1939 Colson tandem bike.
Unfortunately, my father died when I was 5 and the 6 kids took over the bike. The rear steering cog on the bottom is missing, both wheels and a set of handle bars. Can anyone tell me:
(1) if the New Departure Skiptooth Model D Hub will fit on any wheel?
(2) where I can find a rear steering cog (assuming the tube will eventually become unstuck)?
Thanks!
(1) if the New Departure Skiptooth Model D Hub will fit on any wheel?
(2) where I can find a rear steering cog (assuming the tube will eventually become unstuck)?
Thanks!
07-03-17, 11:57 AM
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Welcome to BF!
Pics are worth a thousand words and maybe better answers to questions. Would love to see pictures of the bike!
Pics are worth a thousand words and maybe better answers to questions. Would love to see pictures of the bike!
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Bikes don't stand alone. They are two tired.
Bikes don't stand alone. They are two tired.
07-07-17, 04:53 AM
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Unfortunately, my father died when I was 5 and the 6 kids took over the bike. The rear steering cog on the bottom is missing, both wheels and a set of handle bars. Can anyone tell me:
(1) if the New Departure Skiptooth Model D Hub will fit on any wheel?
(2) where I can find a rear steering cog (assuming the tube will eventually become unstuck)?
Thanks!
(1) if the New Departure Skiptooth Model D Hub will fit on any wheel?
(2) where I can find a rear steering cog (assuming the tube will eventually become unstuck)?
Thanks!
07-07-17, 06:37 AM
#4
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Yes, please share pics! If you need assistance I can help point you to a place to upload.
07-07-17, 07:04 AM
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07-07-17, 07:14 AM
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Sure! I like to use this website to upload my images: Imgur: The most awesome images on the Internet
Just click the green New Post button at the top, then drag and drop (or browse to find your image) and then upload. It should take you to a screen to copy and paste the link. There should be a few options to choose from, go with the one labeled "BBCode (message boards & forums)"
If you need further help just let me know!
Just click the green New Post button at the top, then drag and drop (or browse to find your image) and then upload. It should take you to a screen to copy and paste the link. There should be a few options to choose from, go with the one labeled "BBCode (message boards & forums)"
If you need further help just let me know!
07-07-17, 07:20 AM
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#8
For the first week, I alternately used vinegar and penetrating oil in the rear steering tube itself and between the tube and the frame.
For the first week, I alternately used vinegar and penetrating oil in the rear steering tube itself and between the tube and the frame.
07-07-17, 07:22 AM
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#9
When the solutions starting seeping into the frame tubes, I sprayed the inside of the steering tube with penetrating oil with rust preservative and started using only penetrating oil between the tube & frame.
When the solutions starting seeping into the frame tubes, I sprayed the inside of the steering tube with penetrating oil with rust preservative and started using only penetrating oil between the tube & frame.
07-07-17, 07:23 AM
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#10
There is movement side to side on the tube (an improvement) but no twisting motion yet.
Yeah 10#. Now I'll try the pics.
There is movement side to side on the tube (an improvement) but no twisting motion yet.
Yeah 10#. Now I'll try the pics.
07-07-17, 07:27 AM
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07-07-17, 07:38 AM
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Sure! I like to use this website to upload my images: Imgur: The most awesome images on the Internet
Just click the green New Post button at the top, then drag and drop (or browse to find your image) and then upload. It should take you to a screen to copy and paste the link. There should be a few options to choose from, go with the one labeled "BBCode (message boards & forums)"
If you need further help just let me know!
Just click the green New Post button at the top, then drag and drop (or browse to find your image) and then upload. It should take you to a screen to copy and paste the link. There should be a few options to choose from, go with the one labeled "BBCode (message boards & forums)"
If you need further help just let me know!
07-07-17, 08:03 AM
#18
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Thanks for posting the pics! Looks like you've got quite a project on your hands. Are you planning to do a full restoration? (that would be awesome to see)
As for the stuck headset, try spraying and soaking in penetrating oil or WD40.
As for the stuck headset, try spraying and soaking in penetrating oil or WD40.
07-07-17, 11:43 AM
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I don't pretend to know whats inside that rear steering tube, but no twisting motion is bad and side-to-side motion sounds even worse. 
I would keep at it with the penetrating oil and see if I could get the twist on. Obviously, once it's loose, a complete teardown and rebuild is in order. Be interesting to see what parts it uses, and if they can be obtained.
Using the googles turns up quite a few hits on these bikes, you may want to wander over to the CABE to find interesting links like this one, and others.
I would keep at it with the penetrating oil and see if I could get the twist on. Obviously, once it's loose, a complete teardown and rebuild is in order. Be interesting to see what parts it uses, and if they can be obtained.Using the googles turns up quite a few hits on these bikes, you may want to wander over to the CABE to find interesting links like this one, and others.
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● 1971 Grandis SL ● 1972 Lambert Grand Prix frankenbike ● 1972 Raleigh Super Course fixie ● 1973 Nishiki Semi-Pro ● 1979 Motobecane Grand Jubile ●1980 Apollo "Legnano" ● 1984 Peugeot Vagabond ● 1985 Shogun Prairie Breaker ● 1986 Merckx Super Corsa ● 1987 Schwinn Tempo ● 1988 Schwinn Voyageur ● 1989 Bottechia Team ADR replica ● 1990 Cannondale ST600 ● 1993 Technium RT600 ● 1996 Kona Lava Dome ●
Last edited by Lascauxcaveman; 07-07-17 at 12:08 PM.
07-07-17, 01:02 PM
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Thanks for the help posting the pictures.
I would like to do a full restore if I can find all the parts. I've had the frame hanging in my garage since the 80's - waiting for retirement which is now here!!
My goal is to have all five siblings ride the bike before we kick the bucket and then pass it along to the grandchildren.
I would like to do a full restore if I can find all the parts. I've had the frame hanging in my garage since the 80's - waiting for retirement which is now here!!
My goal is to have all five siblings ride the bike before we kick the bucket and then pass it along to the grandchildren.
07-07-17, 01:08 PM
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Thanks for the advice. The side to side motion is less than a millimeter in all directions. It didn't move at all two weeks ago. Another Colson owner suggested that I tap the bottom of the tube using a piece of wood to protect the threads.
I read of seized parts taking nearly a YEAR to unseize! We used to ride the bike, steering from the front only when we were kids but when it steered from the rear it was awesome!
I read of seized parts taking nearly a YEAR to unseize! We used to ride the bike, steering from the front only when we were kids but when it steered from the rear it was awesome!
07-07-17, 07:29 PM
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I am restoring my parents' 1939 Colson tandem bike
Karen, the bicycle looks great. It will be fun to ride it again! You need to post a before photo. Good job, sis!
07-10-17, 04:05 AM
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09-01-17, 04:28 PM
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Need a part for my Colson tandum
did you ever find out where to get the parts for your Colson tandem? I need the rear steering shaft (and maybe handlebars) for my 1933. The shaft broke in half or I should say rusted in half so I still have the bottom have and the skiptooth sprocket but not the upper half or the rear handle bars. Was hoping you might have found a source for parts. Any info you can share that will point me in the right direction would be much appreciated. Thanks. Tom. Thament99@gmail.comp
09-04-17, 07:27 AM
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I have been getting parts from eBay that look like they will work. For the skiptooth cog at the bottom of the rear-steer tube, I'm going to try cutting off every other tooth from my cadaver bike regular sprocket then I'm headed to a local welding shop. The rear tube finally came out after daily soaking and banging and twisting for nearly two months. I wonder if a welding shop can put the upper and lower parts back together. I was surprised to find no mechanism in the tube. I expected a rusted bearing assembly. Good luck finding parts. Mine is still a frame and parts. I'll post a picture when done.