I just (almost) finished up the latest ride, a '69 Schwinn Panther for my son's birthday next month. He's really more into multi-geared bikes, but he's slowly coming around to dad's old vintage stuff, especially when we're cruising the beach. He's really been getting a kick out of riding my green '69 Panther ( viewtopic.php?f=6&t=19328 ) lately, so when I got a chance to snag another one recently, I jumped on it. Wouldn't you know it's my favourite colour, too! Rides like a dream (like all my Schwinns so far!), and definitely a labour of love as far as gifts go! I'm just hoping he likes this one as much as I do.
Pretty mild build, just a massive clean up, new Brooks saddle, whitewalls, flipped the bars (off an unknown donor), found a set of NOS Coppertone glitter Schwinn Krate grips (still with streamers!), bow pedals and a "visor" headlight. I'm still waiting for a chrome Phantom tank, a matching "visor" tail light, and Coke can valve stem caps (his favourite), but I love the way it looks and couldn't wait to toss it up here...
The colour is much brighter in the sunlight - just love Coppertone on any bike.
Ha - just realized I forgot to remove the reflector on the rear wheel...
*EDIT 11/3/09:
Well, finally got the other parts to finish it up in time for his birthday, then after he had a chance to ride it we made a few changes.
Lovin' the chrome tank (without paint), I like the way it plays off the other chrome. He decided on turning the bars right-side-up and we slapped an Electra seat on there, both for comfort reasons - guess he's not as big a Brooks fan as his old man :wink: . I didn't like the way the visored tail light looked, but did get the Coke valve stem caps from No-Jules on there.
Unfortunately, I think he likes the mt. bike I also got for him better, but I'm hoping that once we can squeeze a little more beach-time riding into our schedule that he'll warm up to it more. I've been thinking about doing something Tiki-ish to it, but that'll be his call. In the meantime, I'm diggin' just looking at it... :mrgreen:
Pretty mild build, just a massive clean up, new Brooks saddle, whitewalls, flipped the bars (off an unknown donor), found a set of NOS Coppertone glitter Schwinn Krate grips (still with streamers!), bow pedals and a "visor" headlight. I'm still waiting for a chrome Phantom tank, a matching "visor" tail light, and Coke can valve stem caps (his favourite), but I love the way it looks and couldn't wait to toss it up here...
The colour is much brighter in the sunlight - just love Coppertone on any bike.
Ha - just realized I forgot to remove the reflector on the rear wheel...
*EDIT 11/3/09:
Well, finally got the other parts to finish it up in time for his birthday, then after he had a chance to ride it we made a few changes.
Lovin' the chrome tank (without paint), I like the way it plays off the other chrome. He decided on turning the bars right-side-up and we slapped an Electra seat on there, both for comfort reasons - guess he's not as big a Brooks fan as his old man :wink: . I didn't like the way the visored tail light looked, but did get the Coke valve stem caps from No-Jules on there.
Unfortunately, I think he likes the mt. bike I also got for him better, but I'm hoping that once we can squeeze a little more beach-time riding into our schedule that he'll warm up to it more. I've been thinking about doing something Tiki-ish to it, but that'll be his call. In the meantime, I'm diggin' just looking at it... :mrgreen:
