Schwinn Spitfire rebuild

[ratina]

Started this yesterday and just finished.

Serial number is L98xxx on rear dropout. Numbers seem to overlap, anyone know what year this bike is? Crank is only stamped AS & Co. No stamp on bars. Seatpost has schwinn script stamp, even crank bearing cups have schwinn stamped on them, never seen that before. New Departure rear hub and Schwinn script front hub.

08/11 to 08/12 ------- L97651 ------------------ L99999 1954

08/28 ------------------ L94223 ------------------- L99999 1956



Stripped bike down to bare frame. Cleaned and rebuilt both hubs, cleaned crank and headset bearings and regreased, waxed entire bike, trued rims, new tube in rear, greased kickstand, oiled chain, straightened headbadge, new lower fender brace on front.

This bike was a true rat rod. Found an old punch tied under the seat, couldn't figure out why. When I removed it noticed the seat pan was cracked (Plastic) Must have been there to keep the seat up. Front fender brace was rigged back on.


Before:

During:

After: Its raining so I can't take good pics. Bike actually shined up real nice

Put a nice mattress saddle on to replace broke mountain bike seat. Bike had 1 original script grip and one chubbie, so I put a matching chubbie grip on. Other than the newer repro schwinn tires, seat, and grips, I believe its all original.

Anyone have a ballpark value on this bike?

 

[SCHWINNRAY69]

Looks good! 8)

 

[XC204]

Looks really good Ben. I sold one that color and have another that I need to build up thanks for inspiration.

 

[ratina]

Thanks guys!

Can anyone help with the year?

 

[ratina]

Found an ad for 54 and 56. Does mine have an incorrect sprocket?



54: http://www.trfindley.com/flschwinn_1951 ... 54_04.html

56: http://www.trfindley.com/flschwinn_1951 ... 56_07.html

 

[Jay Moore]

your bike was made in on August 11th or 12th 1954. the sprocket looks og but i'm not real big on Schwinn. looks like they offered a few different sprockets for different models that year.

 

[ratina]

your bike was made in on August 11th or 12th 1954. the sprocket looks og but i'm not real big on Schwinn. looks like they offered a few different sprockets for different models that year.

Thanks! I have to ask, how can you tell?

 

[Jay Moore]

http://www.angelfire.com/rant/allday101 ... odes3.html and your bike is at
1954 08/11 to 08/12 ------- L97651 ------------------ L99999 and the main page that gives you that link is
http://www.angelfire.com/rant/allday101 ... odes1.html i have been using that site to date schwinns for a few years now.

 

[ratina]

http://www.angelfire.com/rant/allday101/SchwinnCodes3.html and your bike is at
1954 08/11 to 08/12 ------- L97651 ------------------ L99999 and the main page that gives you that link is
http://www.angelfire.com/rant/allday101 ... odes1.html i have been using that site to date schwinns for a few years now.

I always use that site, but the numbers repeat. Thats my confusion

 

[Jay Moore]

i see what you mean. but i really don;t think Schwinn would ever repeat a s/n. your s/n is less then a 1,000 from the starting aug 8th. 1954 s/n. the 56 would only be able to go to L97650 i would think. but maybe the operator of that site might be able to help out more.

 

[ratina]

According to a member on the cabe, Schwinn introduced middleweight bikes in 1955. The Spitfire became a middleweight in 1956, so the bike is a 1956.

 

[ratina]

New Pics: Can anyone give an approximate value?

 

[SCHWINNRAY69]

That's nice 8)

 

[ratina]

That's nice 8)

Thanks man!

 

[Skipton]

Man Thats a cool bike!

Cleaned up great!