This build is going to take a while, so this should be fun updating as I go. My last built "El Raton" was a 63 Schwinn Typhoon that I bought mostly ratted out and all I did was throw on some apes and a layback post. That is hardly a build. The bike was fun, but I quickly lost interest, so I sold it.
I have been seeing some cool fat tire Schwinn Varsity builds and thought about doing one. Then, I decided I wanted to build one to look like something out of the 30s or 40s, but instead run 700c tires with cream tires. Also, I want a 2 speed kickback hub and front drum brake. I've been scouring Craigslist when this 80s Schwinn Le Tour came up for sale. The red really caught my eye and it got the creative juices flowing. I thought how awesome would a red bike look with brown saddle and grips with cream color tires? I think quite awesome.
The seller wanted $100 which was way too much for as rough as it was. Its also a low-end bike, but with what I have planned, no matter. I noticed it had a nice looking Sugino Maxy crank and a decent alloy stem which I could reuse. Everything else is getting ditched. The seller ended up taking $40 for it. I've paid less for these bikes, but it had everything I wanted.
Here is the bike as found:
Crankset that I will remove the small ring and run that 52T with a 22T rear cog which will be a decent low gear when combined with the 2 speed KB:
Chicago Schwinn Badge:
Most of the parts stripped off the frame. Keeping the wheels on it for now so I can roll it around:
I am planning to polish the frame and make it looks as good as possible. There are a lot of scuffs I think will come out. I also plan to remove all the decals except for maybe the Schwinn medallion at the upper end of the seat tube:
Looks like these are Union pedals. They say made in Germany. I think they will clean up nicely, but will only put effort into them if I can get them apart so they can be rebuilt. I have no idea if I will be able to adjust the bearing preload:
The general look of the bike will be dictated by the handlebars I plan to use. So far, my favorites are these Velo Orange Porteur bars:
Next step is cleaning up the frame. I am going to hold off on ordering some parts since there is a swap meet this weekend. The most expense parts will be for the wheels. That may take a while. Such is live and I must delay gratification.
I have been seeing some cool fat tire Schwinn Varsity builds and thought about doing one. Then, I decided I wanted to build one to look like something out of the 30s or 40s, but instead run 700c tires with cream tires. Also, I want a 2 speed kickback hub and front drum brake. I've been scouring Craigslist when this 80s Schwinn Le Tour came up for sale. The red really caught my eye and it got the creative juices flowing. I thought how awesome would a red bike look with brown saddle and grips with cream color tires? I think quite awesome.
The seller wanted $100 which was way too much for as rough as it was. Its also a low-end bike, but with what I have planned, no matter. I noticed it had a nice looking Sugino Maxy crank and a decent alloy stem which I could reuse. Everything else is getting ditched. The seller ended up taking $40 for it. I've paid less for these bikes, but it had everything I wanted.
Here is the bike as found:
Crankset that I will remove the small ring and run that 52T with a 22T rear cog which will be a decent low gear when combined with the 2 speed KB:
Chicago Schwinn Badge:
Most of the parts stripped off the frame. Keeping the wheels on it for now so I can roll it around:
I am planning to polish the frame and make it looks as good as possible. There are a lot of scuffs I think will come out. I also plan to remove all the decals except for maybe the Schwinn medallion at the upper end of the seat tube:
Looks like these are Union pedals. They say made in Germany. I think they will clean up nicely, but will only put effort into them if I can get them apart so they can be rebuilt. I have no idea if I will be able to adjust the bearing preload:
The general look of the bike will be dictated by the handlebars I plan to use. So far, my favorites are these Velo Orange Porteur bars:
Next step is cleaning up the frame. I am going to hold off on ordering some parts since there is a swap meet this weekend. The most expense parts will be for the wheels. That may take a while. Such is live and I must delay gratification.