Schwinn Speedster - FINISHED!

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M

MR_Moto

Joined
Jan 24, 2010
Messages
32
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Location
Livermore, CA
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My first build on this forum!

I'm starting with a frame that most wouldn't consider very desirable, a Chicago made 1967 Schwinn Speedster that I found on ebay. I was the only bidder.
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The goal is to make something good out of a frame that not many people would want. I've done this before when I built this fixed gear out of an old Ross Grand Tour.
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I'm going to build the Speedster California Cruiser style. http://bmxsociety.com/topic/38162-cal-cruisers/
 
Re: Schwinn Speedster

Cal Cruiser? Klunker? Whatever you call 'em, I dig 'em. I've been thinking for a while now about building up a Speedster/camelback frame, but I picture one with 650 deep V's, disc brakes and a single speed.
 
Re: Schwinn Speedster

I had the same thing in mind with a 3 spd version but people wanted a lot of money on CL. Found a $100 Trel Classic instead. Can;t wait to see yours.
 
Re: Schwinn Speedster

The old Schwinns are nice actually. A bit heavy but comfy. I built this out of one of the semi-rare curved tube sprints. I used gun blue for the finish.

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Re: Schwinn Speedster

Since I got the frame, I've collected most of the parts I'll need to finish it and here they are. My colors will be a white frame with blue and chrome pretty much every thing else

The wheels are blue anno cruiser wheels from Bicycle Wheel Warehouse.
speed_3.jpg


I bought both blue and black tires, and after mounting both, I decided to go with the blue. It gives that 80's BMX look I'm after.
speed_4.jpg


The forks are chrome Sunshine BMX style 26"
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I wanted vintage BMX cruiser bars, but I saw these 1974 Hodaka Dirt Squirt bars and figured they would be perfect.
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The rest of the parts are 80's BMX style that I got mostly from Porkchop BMX.
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I'm using the cranks that came with the frame because they cleaned up nice and look great with the new parts.
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I haven't decided on the seat yet. The SE Blitz has the look I'm after but is hard plastic and isn't much good for cruising over to the Ale House :D , The Troxel look seat will be more comfy and will look correct. I'll decide on that later...

I stripped the frame and did a quick mock up. You can kind of see where this is going.
speed_5.jpg


I've decided that because it's a cruiser and not a BMX bike that I'd leave the kickstand mount on the frame so I don't have to lean it up against a wall.

Now it's time to drop the frame off to the bead blaster. More later.
 
Re: Schwinn Speedster

Hey Beau, I like your bike, very cool, especially the double chain! I had no Idea Schwinn made a frame like that.
 
Re: Schwinn Speedster

I like yours! That thing is awesome looking! I never thought of using a frame like that for a BMX/MTB build.

Way cool.
 
Re: Schwinn Speedster

8) me likes it,especially the blue part :mrgreen:
 
Re: Schwinn Speedster

Due to my being slammed at work, Christmas, and the rainy weather here in Cali, I haven't done much on it since I have to paint it outside. It's not supposed to rain this weekend so I'll be able to at least prime the frame. All it needs is paint and I can put it together. I just have to find the time...
 
Re: Schwinn Speedster

Update! Finished!

I never thought I'd finish it, but it's a rider! It's only missing the kickstand, the old one was too crusty to put back on so I'll have to get a new one. It rides as good as it looks!

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It turned out way better than I thought it would. My favorite bike so far!
 

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