Rotten Orange loses its peel...

[Unchained]

I'm not much of a Schwinn guy, but I couldn't pass up this junkyard fresh August '68 Orange Krate back in January. (thanks to necessaryevil for pinpointing the Date of Manufacture!) These really are cool little bikes. I have been cleaning this one in my off time since I purchased it and am nearing completion. All that's left are the wheels- the worst part. :shock:

How it looked upon purchase:

http://i41.tinypic.com/1zpqvqq.jpg

How it is looking now (partially cleaned, missing parts to be finished in the next few weeks):

http://i39.tinypic.com/2lu9c34.jpg
http://i41.tinypic.com/dxb91k.jpg
http://i40.tinypic.com/15d9bhl.jpg

The only parts I will have had to replace by the end of the cleaning will be the seat, tires, tubes and an axle nut.

 

[necessaryevil]

Coming along nicely. You should buy decals for the chainguard and scuff them up to look original.

 

[Unchained]

Thanks! I think I may do just that. Do you know if they make a whitewall 16 inch s-7 tire? i may run whitewalls on this... I'm split between that or the red line slick.

 

[Anonymous]

BikeWorldUSA has 16" WW tires.

http://www.bikeworldusa.com/index.php/c ... 1a2032e7b1

and Aztlan

http://www.aztlanbicycle.com/lowrider-tires.html

 

[Unchained]

Thanks, unfortunately I don't think those are s-7 specific. I didn't realize Schwinn had their own rim sizes until this bike came under my ownership... a regular 16 inch tire WILL NOT fit these drum brake s-7 krate wheels. :lol: :shock: (I tried). I'm probably just going to run the standard red line slick + s-7 superior front.

 

[jesusfreak86]

i love the oringinel rusty handlebars did you replace the old ones or did you just clean the rust off

 

[Unchained]

Nope, nothing's been replaced yet. the bars cleaned up really well. I usually keep 'em rusty but on this one it just didn't seem to fit... So out came the rubbing compound, wax and steel wool.

 

[necessaryevil]

Schwinn made whitewall and color line superior tires, but you will pay a fortune to get one. Just buy a blackwall and paint it however you like.

 

[Unchained]

Oh, OK, not looking to spend a fortune on old tires. Thank you very much for the info.

 

[Bicyclerick]

Heres what it originally looks like.

 

[Unchained]

Nice! I really like the stock original look but thought WW's might look nice too. What seems unusual to me about your bicycle is the chainring- is that original? I've never seen that sprocket on a Schwinn krate.