1971 Schwinn Varsity - *The Varsity Valencia*

[GTCOMA]

I finally found an Orange Varsity! I have been looking to one for about a year now. I got it at a bike shop in Troy, OH. He sells mostly new bikes, but we got to talking and he told me that he had a few old bikes in the back. This was one of them along with an old Black Schwinn Traveler from the 40's or 50's.

This one needs a lot of work. I am thinking about stripping it down and trying out a single speed coaster. Kinda like RatRod's Violet Varsity bike.

Oh, and it weighs about 300 lbs

Her are a few pics,

 

[GTCOMA]

Re: 1971 Schwinn Varsity - Orange!

Here is the Ad

 

[necessaryevil]

Re: 1971 Schwinn Varsity - Orange!

Your starting to scare me with all of these road bikes, you need to find another barn full of ballooners.

 

[GTCOMA]

Re: 1971 Schwinn Varsity - Orange!

oops, the pic was too big. it cropped out the Orange one (and the guy with the awesome shirt)

 

[GTCOMA]

Re: 1971 Schwinn Varsity - Orange!

Your starting to scare me with all of these road bikes, you need to find another barn full of ballooners.

I know, i need to have an intervention.

how cool would it look if I could cram a set of big creme fat franks in this frame?

 

[user 135]

Re: 1971 Schwinn Varsity - Orange!

how cool would it look if I could cram a set of big creme fat franks in this frame?

Cremesicle cool. :wink:

 

[Multipass]

Re: 1971 Schwinn Varsity - Orange!

Embrace nerdiness - swap the drops for north road bars and go full-on geek bike. Don't let those chrome fenders go to waste!

-Mp


(Yes, I have been fixated on old 3-speeds for the last few months)

 

[GTCOMA]

Re: 1971 Schwinn Varsity - Orange!

Well, I just tore it all down tonight. I cleaned up a few spots and it is going to shine once I'm done.

I've got big plans for this one...

 

[bigj]

Re: 1971 Schwinn Varsity - Orange!

The frame looks as if it is in good shape. Nice find.

 

[GTCOMA]

Re: 1971 Schwinn Varsity - Orange!

So i got started on this build today. Here is a sneak peak at a few of the parts i am going to use.

Schwinn comfort grips of a 90's World Tourist
A dirty old chainring off a 1964 Typhoon
Handlebars from a 1965 Breeze
A set of black aluminum wheels with 26"x1.90" smooth tires and extra big front hub
a 180mm crank arm

Still need to figure out a seat....any suggestions?

Chainring before cleaning

After cleaning and installed on the crank

test fit

 

[GTCOMA]

Re: 1971 Schwinn Varsity - Orange!

Does anybody have a suggestion for a seat? I was thinking something medium sized and black. If it hard orange highlights that would be great

 

[Multipass]

Re: 1971 Schwinn Varsity - Orange!

Does anybody have a suggestion for a seat? I was thinking something medium sized and black. If it hard orange highlights that would be great

Maybet one of these 10-speed seats with the coil springs?

-Mp

 

[GTCOMA]

Re: 1971 Schwinn Varsity - Orange!

that seat is very cool. Any clue who makes it?

 

[Multipass]

Re: 1971 Schwinn Varsity - Orange!

That one is made by Viscount, but there's no model number on it anywhere.

I did find these similar ones on the net:

http://www.bikepartsusa.com/bikepar...d-Saddle-With-Coil-Springs&category=Road-Seat

http://www.bikeworldusa.com/product...d/680?osCsid=bd7b0ca653adb87eb453f579d6d3e631

-Mp

 

[blink]

Re: 1971 Schwinn Varsity - Orange!

i say black brooks or persons leather saddle.

 

[GTCOMA]

Just got in from putting this together. I ended up going in a slightly different direction with the bars. I used an upright stem with a set of mt bike bars with a cross brace and a set of Salsa pepperjack grips. i also got a basic black Electra seat that was a takeoff from a Townie at my local bike shop. i also used a set of Oddysey pedals

I cleaned and waxed the orange paint and it really Pops now. Here is a quick before and after. I'll post some bigger pics in a minute

 

[GTCOMA]

Bigger pics

 

[Filthy Bill]

Re: 1971 Schwinn Varsity - Orange!

Looks simply AWESOME!!

 

[necessaryevil]

OK, I'll stop making fun of your road bikes now. Looks awesome!

 

[blink]

ok, this looks awesome!

but, the one thing i would do to it is put a lower profile seat on it.