So I need to do the sacreligious and swap out a bunch of original parts on a 65 Coppertone. It currently has a Shimano Nexus 3 speed hub to give it a little extra go, but everything else is pretty rickety at this point, so I am going to modernize. Any advice appreciated, I am definitely thinking of converting to a 3 piece crank, new chain of course, and probably new rims. Going to add some sky-hi apes too to make it a beach bike. The two things I am stuck on are whether it is worth trying to swap out to a threadless stem/forks, and also what gearing ratio I should use (I know nothing about this). It is mostly going to be used on flat ground, so chill and easy is the goal, but also with some oomph to get up boardwalk ramps or small hills.
Upgrades to 65 Schwinn Coppertone
- Thread starter davegerard
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I'll probably leave the threaded stem then, it's not like it's a high performance bike, I would like to fiddle with the gearing though to give the 3 speed a little more kick. And will definitely post pics.
I have done several old Schwinns like this. This post has links to several of them, and this thread is about the one I am working on for the current Build-Off. I LOVE updating old Schwinns this way. Shoot us some pics of yours!
This build is going to take forever, apologies on that but my time is generally obligated elsewhere. But this is the initial start, swapped out the bars. I think I am going to keep this very basic. New grips, new chain, obviously new tube for the flat rear tire, new seat. Surboard/skateboard holder. Possibly switching out the stem so that I can clamp the 7/8 bars a little tighter, or just some shims. The only thing I am a little stuck on, I have a 3-speed hub and I'd rather exchange the twist shifter on the handlebar for a stick shifter mounted at the base of the handlebars. I figure the look will be cleaner and lower profile, and maybe I can even run the cable inside the frame and handlebar so it is not such an eyesore. Any advice on that is welcome.
MattiThundrrr
Rattus All Terrainus
As soon as you said coppertone, I knew it was going to be killer... Don't do a thing to the frame but wash and wax it, that baby will shine! Lotsa people are doing custom stick shifters, you should look around for some inspiration!
Agreed, shine that coppertone! A few coats of car paste wax will really bring it out.
If that's a Nexus 3, it shouldn't be too hard to shorten the cable and add a shifter. You could mount it just about anywhere you wanted.
I see you kept the Schwinn one piece cranks. Those should work fine as long as they are adjusted and lubed. The gear ratio should be good also.
If that's a Nexus 3, it shouldn't be too hard to shorten the cable and add a shifter. You could mount it just about anywhere you wanted.
I see you kept the Schwinn one piece cranks. Those should work fine as long as they are adjusted and lubed. The gear ratio should be good also.
MattiThundrrr
Rattus All Terrainus
Here's that inspiration I was talking about
https://ratrodbikes.com/forum/threads/lets-see-those-old-school-custom-shifters.14727/
https://ratrodbikes.com/forum/threads/lets-see-those-old-school-custom-shifters.14727/
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There are a lot of rear cog options for the Nexus, 14 to 23 teeth. They usually come with 19. If after using it if you want lower more spiny gearing get a 22 tooth cog for about $10. Pretty easy to install. Using a 3 piece crank with a Nexus will require a chain compromise as the road chainrings usually use a narrower chain than a single speed. BMX chainrings might be used, but I don’t know anything about the chain width used on them. Have a bike shop install a good quality single speed racing chain, it won’t break.
Almost all of the Nexus hubs I see here in Poland are on bikes with three piece cranks, with very standard looking chains. I never really even questioned it, as bikes with other types of crank almost all predate the arrival of Nexus hubs on the market.
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I broke several chains with my Nexus on a klunker doing standing hill climbs. I had a bike shop install a single speed chain that mountain bikers use and that stopped the problem. Sometimes road chains are too narrow to work with the wider single speed cog. The side links get deformed out. I’ve not had any luck with standard cruiser type single speed chains. Could be just me but it seems they are a little more prone to failure when abused.
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Izumi Track Chains for heavy use non-indexed riding.
mic drop
mic drop
Thanks yeah will definitely check the shifters out, and the crank saw is just to have something extra to do, it's not a high performance bike, just needs to get up the boardwalk ramps, that will probably be the last thing I address. And yes that paint stays!
Ha ha nice avatar/handle, love the Misfits! Yeah the handlebars are awesome, but they are not wide enough for the clamp, so I have to put some beer can shims in there, a little extra work but no big deal. That is why I'm trying to shorten the shifter to a pull shifter on the frame, the cable will look really weird going all the way to those handlebars.
So attaching photos of what I have finally done, re-routed the shifter onto the seat stem, temporary until I get the stick shifter done and a shorter cable. Swapped out seat, added grips. Knurling on handlebars sucks so I will drill in a self-tapping screw from both sides to add support. And added the bent springer front end, although I know handling is wonky for those so if it is unwieldy I am going to go for one of the Monark springers.
The big question is the springer stem. As you can see from the photos, even though this was supposed to be for a Schwinn neck it is like 4 inches too long. My though is to just hacksaw it down, but figured I would check the Board here for advice before doing so.
The big question is the springer stem. As you can see from the photos, even though this was supposed to be for a Schwinn neck it is like 4 inches too long. My though is to just hacksaw it down, but figured I would check the Board here for advice before doing so.
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MattiThundrrr
Rattus All Terrainus
PDF is an unusual format for your pictures. JPEG file is better, can be uploaded directly to the site, pictures won't need to be downloaded in order to view. The coppertone looks great, love that old paint. I don't understand why that springer tube is so long, looks 2x as long as needed!
Looking at your pic, the spring assembly won't line up with the fork legs if you shorten the fork tube. The bracket that slides down the fork doesn't bend, it stays at that angle. The fork legs are too tall. An inch or so would be workable, but that's way too much. I would add spacers to make up the difference on top to keep the spring at the correct angle, but it wouldn't look right.
Can you trade the forks back for a different size?
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Yeah I will use JPEG next time, forgot which format works on this site. I can maybe trade the forks back, but it is probably not worth it, the fact that the forks are too long is real problematic quality control-wise, because they are supposed to be for 26s. I will have to look again to see if the spring itself has any rotation. The bracket definitely doesn't move, but I'm thinking the angle of the spring might. But I will probably just spend the extra bucks on the Monark set, they frankly look nicer and I believe will handle better.
