2005? Schwinn Rocket 3

[horsefarmer]

Picked this up at swap meet yesterday.

Princely price of $5. (was $10) Asked seller about it. he said it was his 1st mountain bike - had a lot of fun with it then somehow broke the spring retainer in the rear shock (its missing now) After that he parked it and used it for parts.
Any opinions about this bike?

Are retainers and the bolts to mount the shock available as they are missing?

 

[horsefarmer]

I'm gonna rig the bike with rear gears only (for now anyways) try to get the shock to suspend temporarily and get a brake going and air the tires.
Goal is to see if I like it enough to throw a few parts at it.
Posted it on "fresh finds" and got some helpful hints. I think it's a lbs grade bike not bigbox but online research is mixed as to user feedback on the Rocket 3.
http://forums.mtbr.com/beginners-co...buy-full-suspension-mountain-bike-753734.html

Calculated the gear inches using 22 t front sprocket
1st gear 32 t = 18 gear inches
2nd gear 26 t = 22 gear inches
3rd gear 23 t = 25 gear inches
4th gear 20 t = 29 gear inches
5th gear 17 t = 34 gear inches
6th gear 15 t 22tooth = 42 gear inches
7th gear 13 t = 44 gear inches
8th gear 11 t = 52 gear inches
So I think it would work well for me as my coaster brake klunker runs 42 gear inches. If it feels stupid low I can us the 32t front sprocket (just gotta buy bolts for it)