The Vacation

[Jude Ephesus]

Still working on getting the frame repaired and ready for paint. Used some steel wool and a hanger to clean out the seat tube and the fork. It was crazy how much rust came out. Still need to get the wedge bolt out of the fork.
View attachment 217612View attachment 217613View attachment 217614

Then I got the headbadge off. This one has studs. Normally you can push them out from the inside, but this frame has a weld right where the studs are. I ground a slot with a dremel and tried a screwdriver. One came out and the other head broke off. I got the badge off without damaging it and should be able to punch the stud out.
View attachment 217611View attachment 217610View attachment 217609
Then I got the rest of the paint stripped off with an angle grinder and a wire brush. Almost ready to prime View attachment 217607

That badge…. Uh…. Looks pretty epic as-is. The patina on that thing is spectacular .

the rest of the bike cleaned up super nice! Can’t even see your repairs .

 

[kram]

That badge…. Uh…. Looks pretty epic as-is. The patina on that thing is spectacular .

the rest of the bike cleaned up super nice! Can’t even see your repairs .

it’s definitely got some paint on it. Doesn’t look to have much damage, but it’s hard to tell. It a planes and trains headbadge and should looks like this under the paint.

 

[Jude Ephesus]

it’s definitely got some paint on it. Doesn’t look to have much damage, but it’s hard to tell. It a planes and trains headbadge and should looks like this under the paint. View attachment 217648

WOW! A ton of detail on that thing originally!

 

[Wildcat]

I missed this thread completely. It's looking great! I'll bet it has seen a lot of klunking. The skip tooth chain wheel on the first pic is CWC and it looks like a first generation Bendix rear hub.

A 48 DX should have a serial number on the BB and be a "D" with 5 digits or "E" with 5 or 6 digits.

Memory Lane had a ton of those head badges for sale, I should have bought a handful when I had the chance.

 

[kram]

I missed this thread completely. It's looking great! I'll bet it has seen a lot of klunking. The skip tooth chain wheel on the first pic is CWC and it looks like a first generation Bendix rear hub.

A 48 DX should have a serial number on the BB and be a "D" with 5 digits or "E" with 5 or 6 digits.

Memory Lane had a ton of those head badges for sale, I should have bought a handful when I had the chance.

The bike has definitely seen some klunking! I think the rear wheel is an s2 rim with an early bendix like you said, but when I took off the tire the rim is separating/splitting. There’s not much on this bike that hasn’t been broken. Once I got the paint cleared off the bottoms bracket I could make out the serial number and it does start with an E.

 

[kram]

I think this bike might be taking a slightly different direction. Will possibly have to go into the off road section if I go this way.

A while back I bought a set of these sawtooth tires because they were cheap and I thought the tread pattern was cool.

I had ordered some SE 27.5” rims but they were back ordered. Unexpectedly they showed up today and I got thinking these might be nice on this built.

I pulled a new departure rear and finned elgin front hub out of the stash. Now I just need to get spokes ordered. This bike could be a mix between a gravel bike and a klunker. Maybe a glunker?

 

[OddJob]

From the first look at your build start I right away thought 'off-road' In fact, I actually had to scroll up to see which of the three build categories I was looking at! Those tires have a great look to them, and the all black rounded rims too. They should easily fit in your frame, it looks like there is plenty of clearance, Clarence.

Anyway, here's one vote for an Off-Road build! RaT oN~!

 

[Ulu]

This seems to be working out nice. That plane and train head badge is just marvelous.

I am still looking for an old Schwinn frame here, though I would prefer one from 1960. It is only because that is what I once had.

It’s funny now to see how they have become rare, because when I was a kid they were everywhere.

 

[Pondo]

Maybe a glunker?

Love it! This build is super cool and I'm looking forward to seeing where it winds up!

 

[Captain Awesome]

Those are great tires. My buddy runs them on his Surly

 

[kram]

@OddJob I agree. Even from the photos when I first got it the bike had an off-road vibe. I think it’s had enough damage that an actual klunker might not be the best idea, but a fire road/dirt road racer should be cool. I’m a huge fan of the rounded rims, debating if I’m going to paint them cream or leave them black. I have a 1941 dx frame and have had 700c wheels on it, so I think you are right about them fitting well.

@Ulu there are still quite a few 60’s schwinns around, especially typhoons. It’s hard to find a vintage bike around here that is a little more unusual, but I’ve found some good ones over time.

@Pondo Thanks! I’ve got a couple new ideas I’m looking forward to trying out.

@Captain Awesome Thats good to hear. When I googled them they seemed to have a following. I have a 1927 Iver Johnson racer that I think I will run the 29er version on.

 

[rgrrbt]

kram, those wheels look great. Where did you get them?

 

[kram]

kram, those wheels look great. Where did you get them?

This is where I got them. They have them in a bunch of colors. https://carsoncitybikeshop.com/rim-se-bikes-27-5-584x36-j36u-36-bk-nmsw/

 

[Ulu]

there are still quite a few 60’s schwinns around, especially typhoons. It’s hard to find a vintage bike around here that is a little more unusual, but I’ve found some good ones over time.

I see Typhoons now and then, but I have not seen a Tornado here yet. Some guy advertised one over at CABE but then he decided he didn’t want to sell it.

 

[kram]

I see Typhoons now and then, but I have not seen a Tornado here yet. Some guy advertised one over at CABE but then he decided he didn’t want to sell it.

I do see tornados from time to time, but definitely not as often. I picked one up a few years back when I bought a big lot of vintage bikes and parts. It’s probably the next bike I’ll build. I can’t quite remember if it’s late 50’s or early 60’s.

 

[Wildcat]

The Tornado was offered 1959-1961. The 20" BMX Tornado was much later, late 70's.

 

[kram]

The Tornado was offered 1959-1961. The 20" BMX Tornado was much later, late 70's.

In my head when I checked the vin it was 59, but I could be wrong.

 

[Ulu]

I believe mine was a 1960 and my mom bought it used in 1963. It was a red and cream deluxe with fenders, but no package rack. Instead it had two big wire baskets like saddlebags. No horn, no tank, but it did have a chain guard, and mom got me a chrome bicycle light with a generator. When I sold it in 72 there was very little left of the original bike. The frame, sprocket, crank, and pedals.

 

[GuitarlCarl]

I'd like to find a '60 anything...
Then my bike and I would be the same age.
Build looks great. You're in the right category.

 

[OddJob]

Find this thread now in the Off Road Build Off, per @kram .