The Colson Corp. of Elyria, Ohio produced some of the most unique bikes painted in bold colors and designs in the 1930s and 1940s. 1941 was an especially impressive year for the Colson line-up as they produced bikes for their own line as well as special models for both Goodyear and Firestone contracts. Another innovation was the “The Colson Cushioner”. This system used a rubber bushing instead of a spring to dampen the ride over rough surfaces. The Imperial line was available with both front and rear cushioned suspension while the Goodyear and Firestone bikes were limited to a front cushioner only.

The top of the line offering for 1941 was the twin cushioned Imperial. Collectors refer to this model as the ‘Grill Nose’ due to the fact that Colson used two chrome plated, cast metal ‘grills’ instead of vents or gills for the horn tank (Model No. 04461-2). The Imperial was also offered as a front cushion only model (04461-1). The bike without a cushioner was not an Imperial but a “De Luxe Series-Equipped” (Model No. 04361). The twin cushioner is a very rare model and more than a few of these have been created from non-cushion models so you need to know what you’re looking at if considering the purchase of a twin cushion model. I do not currently own a twin cushion model. The only one I was ever offered was a fake. I do have the Imperial, Firestone Super Cruiser, and Goodyear Double Eagle Deluxe shown below.

As previously mentioned Colson produced bikes under contract for Firestone. The top-of-the-line 1941 model was the Super Cruiser (Model S5530-1) which along with the Cruiser collectors refer to as the “Bull Nose”. This was a one year only model. The primary difference between the Super Cruiser and Cruiser was that the Super Cruiser had the cushioner fork. The Super Cruiser also had a different badge which said “Super Cruiser” as well as a taillight in the rack.

The top-of-the-line bicycle Colson produced for Goodyear in 1941 was the Double Eagle Deluxe (Model 04356). Collectors refer to this model as a “Clipper” due to the tank design resembling a Clipper ship. Like the Firestone models this model could also be had without the cushioner and was badged as a Double Eagle. It’s worth noting here that the badges for both of these models are unique and it is very difficult to find original badges. There are poor reproductions of the Goodyear badge and pretty nice ones of the Firestone badge. Also of note is that the Clipper was also produced post war (1949) but with no cushioner. The biggest ‘tell’ for a post war bike is the absence of the drop stand ‘ears’ on the frame as seen on the pre war bikes.

A few final notes here. The cushioner fork was used postwar from 1950-55 but this fork has different ‘dog-legs’ as well as differences at the cushion where a light mounted (pre war the light was on the fender). I have seen restored prewar bikes with the wrong fork. Again legit, dual cushioner models are very rare. So far every clone, fake, tribute… I’ve seen has ‘tells’ that distinguish them from the genuine article. Know what you are looking at if you are offered one of these. Enjoy the ride!