Cleanup
A Schwinn Fastback I had as a kid has been a big influence on a couple of the bikes I've built. I recently decided to try and find one to replace the Fastback that was now long gone. I almost immediately found an exact duplicate: a 1971, Kool Yellow, 3-speed. This isn't that bike. The deal on the '71 just wasn't right but, in the process I found this '69 and couldn't pass it up.
Over the last month I've disassembled, cleaned everything down to each nut and bolt, greased, and re-assembled. A lot of fun. I tried to do a gentle cleaning keeping as much of each surface finish as possible. Kind of amusing to me, considering the amount of work, that in the before and after images below you have to look pretty close to tell a difference. Guess I managed to pull off a gentle cleaning!
It appears to me to be original. I've replaced the cables with NOS items and the Nov70 rear & Nov72 front dated tires with reproductions. The cables looked in rougher condition to me than the rest of the bike and the tires weren't in ridable condition. I also swapped out the brake pads for available modern pads. The seat looks pretty good with only one small tear on the side and a pin hole on the top. The silver mylar strips have separated from the vinyl and are missing except for a few small spots still holding on. I plan to get a "riding saddle" and put the original in a safe place. The chrome is a little scratched up from a previous owners steel wool cleanup. But, it is what it is and overall in good shape.
I had a few questions that I posted on a Schwinn-centric forum but didn't get a huge response. I'll re-post the ones I still have below. If anyone sees anything that doesn't look quite right please let me know. Interested in trying to learn as much about the bike and Fastbacks as possible.
As purchased
After cleanup
Before cleanup
After cleanup
Before
After
Before
After
Before
After
Before
After
Before
After
A Schwinn Fastback I had as a kid has been a big influence on a couple of the bikes I've built. I recently decided to try and find one to replace the Fastback that was now long gone. I almost immediately found an exact duplicate: a 1971, Kool Yellow, 3-speed. This isn't that bike. The deal on the '71 just wasn't right but, in the process I found this '69 and couldn't pass it up.
Over the last month I've disassembled, cleaned everything down to each nut and bolt, greased, and re-assembled. A lot of fun. I tried to do a gentle cleaning keeping as much of each surface finish as possible. Kind of amusing to me, considering the amount of work, that in the before and after images below you have to look pretty close to tell a difference. Guess I managed to pull off a gentle cleaning!
It appears to me to be original. I've replaced the cables with NOS items and the Nov70 rear & Nov72 front dated tires with reproductions. The cables looked in rougher condition to me than the rest of the bike and the tires weren't in ridable condition. I also swapped out the brake pads for available modern pads. The seat looks pretty good with only one small tear on the side and a pin hole on the top. The silver mylar strips have separated from the vinyl and are missing except for a few small spots still holding on. I plan to get a "riding saddle" and put the original in a safe place. The chrome is a little scratched up from a previous owners steel wool cleanup. But, it is what it is and overall in good shape.
I had a few questions that I posted on a Schwinn-centric forum but didn't get a huge response. I'll re-post the ones I still have below. If anyone sees anything that doesn't look quite right please let me know. Interested in trying to learn as much about the bike and Fastbacks as possible.
As purchased
After cleanup
Before cleanup
After cleanup
Before
After
Before
After
Before
After
Before
After
Before
After