Alright… I have been working on this since the moment it arrived home but every time I come to RRB to update I end up reading other posts and use up my daily forum screen time!!! You will also have to excuse the lack of pics… my enthusiasm overshadowed the bloggin process!
No test rides were done since the front tire was shot and something was rubbing/jamming on the drive side of the rear wheel. Upon pulling it apart, The rear wheel issue was a spoke wrapped around the cog popping the spring ring and gear off the axle… hmm I did notice there was a spoke missing from the wheel.
The most amusing disassembly was getting the rear tire off. It had a solid core installed and between that and the dried up gum wall nothing was budging to break the bead. Sliced off the tire above the rim, cut the innards then had to use a cutoff wheel in a Dremel to break the bead wires. The bike lost about 5 lbs. removing this tire setup!
There were not any other surprises found during the dismantling and cleaning other than the rock hard grease in the bearing cups. Buffed the slightly worn races repacked the bearings and put it back together again.
The 3 speed hub wasn’t very smooth in its operation and in need of service. That was straight forward with a YouTube tutorial.
While in the cleaning mode I also ordered some new tires and tubes. Well, I missed the fine print in my forum readings and only found my oversight once the tires arrived. All excited, I went to set them up only to find regular 26” tires don’t fit the Schwinn rim.
Mocked it up just to get a visual.
The quandary… pick up a set of tires to fit or get some wheels to fit the new tires. Well, purchasing tires to fit was $40+ in the wrong budget direction especially since I wanted the wider tires to navigate the rough side streets around here and the original wheels, though serviceable, we’re not in the greatest shape. That decided it. Problem was new wheels were not in the budget either. I really prefer this bike to have some gears since in Duluth you’re either going down a hill or up one! Back to CL to find a donor bike or parts. This being a college town with semester ending meant there are many castaway mountain bikes with 26” wheels to be acquired inexpensively or free… many thrashed and left at the curbside in the trash. I acquired a donor bike. This particular bike ate its rear derailleur and it was all twisted back in the chain and spokes. The 7 speed freewheel was frozen. Picked up a used 5 speed freewheel for $5 at local bike shop. I thought a 5 speed would fit better since these bikes came that way as an option. Got the wheel back together to find it has a big warp from previous derailleur incident!!
… still gave an opportunity to see it with the new shoes!
…. next up… fender fixin, replacement back wheel and new brake calipers for the longer reach.
