I picked this up a couple nights ago:
Previous owner or owners did some ratty stuff to it already including a black rattle can job. It was originally red. Interesting thing is they did something to leave the original decals because you can see all of the script on the chainguard, top tube, and seat tube. It is a Typhoon built Aug 7, 1963 per the serial number decoder I found line. It also has a BMX crank with a smaller 39 tooth Schwinn Mag chainwheel. The original Bendix red band coaster hub is still there, but with a black aluminum rim laced up with a very weird lacing pattern (all the spokes on one side go the same direction and none cross each other. Front wheel is the same way except the hub is a newer generic alloy unit.
It had some bent handlebars, so I knew that would have to go and decided to find some small apehangers for it. I also wanted a layback seatpost since I am 6'1" and like the leg room. I went to a local community bike shop (Austin Yellow Bike Project) and was able to get some perfectly crusty handlebars. I also found a layback bmx type seatpost which I mistakenly thought would fit. I didn't realize that these old Schwinns use a 13/16" post and I got a 7/8" post. I did some searching online and didn't come up with much. There is one guy who makes custom bent seatposts in the correct size, but it looks like it wouldn't have given me enough height and I didn't want to spend any more money than I already have on a post. So, I decided to do some fabricating.
The existing post was an extra-long Wald unit that appears to be an add-on, so I was comfortable using it to graft the top section of my layback post.
The inside diameter of the larger post is smaller than the outside of the existing post. There is also about 2 inches of smaller 5/8" O.D. where the seat guts clamp which if I cut the layback post just right, would go up inside of the larger post and rest on the top side of the interior bend . I just the layback post just right so the bottom of it is just touching the part of the existing post that flares out. The 5/8" nub is supporting the layback section and fits together just so:
Once I was satisfied with the fit and cleaned off all the burrs and exposed bare metal, I walked down the street to my neighbor who has a welder. He tacked it up for me. It ain't pretty, but neither is the rest of the bike. All that matters is it is solid.
Swapped out my 5/8" seat gut for a 7/8" and mounted up the saddle:
I have to say I am happy with the riding position after riding for what little time I was able to with the rain coming down this afternoon. The rain gave the bike some free water with which I wiped it down.
Now, I can concentrate on getting the mechanicals dialed in. I will be overhauling the hubs, bottom bracket, headset, truing the wheels, and whatever else I find that needs some love. Finally, I am going to hand paint a rat on the fenders, so the head will be up front, tail out back.
Previous owner or owners did some ratty stuff to it already including a black rattle can job. It was originally red. Interesting thing is they did something to leave the original decals because you can see all of the script on the chainguard, top tube, and seat tube. It is a Typhoon built Aug 7, 1963 per the serial number decoder I found line. It also has a BMX crank with a smaller 39 tooth Schwinn Mag chainwheel. The original Bendix red band coaster hub is still there, but with a black aluminum rim laced up with a very weird lacing pattern (all the spokes on one side go the same direction and none cross each other. Front wheel is the same way except the hub is a newer generic alloy unit.
It had some bent handlebars, so I knew that would have to go and decided to find some small apehangers for it. I also wanted a layback seatpost since I am 6'1" and like the leg room. I went to a local community bike shop (Austin Yellow Bike Project) and was able to get some perfectly crusty handlebars. I also found a layback bmx type seatpost which I mistakenly thought would fit. I didn't realize that these old Schwinns use a 13/16" post and I got a 7/8" post. I did some searching online and didn't come up with much. There is one guy who makes custom bent seatposts in the correct size, but it looks like it wouldn't have given me enough height and I didn't want to spend any more money than I already have on a post. So, I decided to do some fabricating.
The existing post was an extra-long Wald unit that appears to be an add-on, so I was comfortable using it to graft the top section of my layback post.
The inside diameter of the larger post is smaller than the outside of the existing post. There is also about 2 inches of smaller 5/8" O.D. where the seat guts clamp which if I cut the layback post just right, would go up inside of the larger post and rest on the top side of the interior bend . I just the layback post just right so the bottom of it is just touching the part of the existing post that flares out. The 5/8" nub is supporting the layback section and fits together just so:
Once I was satisfied with the fit and cleaned off all the burrs and exposed bare metal, I walked down the street to my neighbor who has a welder. He tacked it up for me. It ain't pretty, but neither is the rest of the bike. All that matters is it is solid.
Swapped out my 5/8" seat gut for a 7/8" and mounted up the saddle:
I have to say I am happy with the riding position after riding for what little time I was able to with the rain coming down this afternoon. The rain gave the bike some free water with which I wiped it down.
Now, I can concentrate on getting the mechanicals dialed in. I will be overhauling the hubs, bottom bracket, headset, truing the wheels, and whatever else I find that needs some love. Finally, I am going to hand paint a rat on the fenders, so the head will be up front, tail out back.
