What the FRELL is up with my rims

[CYRUS]

I've heard many of you talk about the Schwinn rim sizes but I'm still naive. I have stripped and repainted a 75 Breeze for the wife, I went to put some tires on it but no way they were stretchin that far. I tried 26 x 1.75 and 26 x 1 1/2 neither would go, can I only run the skinny 26 x 1 3/8 ? I was looking to put a lil more cushion into the tires, can I fit a pair of single speed wheels in there for white walls ? The rear has a nice Sturmey 3 spd with coaster that I thought would be nice for the wife, along with a front brake.
This is it before I started the restore:

 

[Danimal]

The only tires that will fit on those rims are S-5/S-6, Schwinn sized, 26x1 3/8 tires. You can get them at most bike shops, but they will probably have to order them. You can order them here though. Not sure if Kenda makes whitewalls in that size or not.

http://www.bikepartsusa.com/bikepar...-Black,-Old-Schwinn-Size,Tire&category=search

Or these:

http://www.bikeworldusa.com/product.../2083?osCsid=eff03a26220f3da57aa8ab6665714bdb


Can you fit bigger wheels? Only way to know is to try.

 

[user 135]

Some modern rims and tires might fit. If you can find a 26x 1.75 tire, it will fit for sure. A 2.125 tire may be tight.