BO15 Tornadic activity

[slothagese]

This thing literally just fell into my lap. The bones of the operation. 1961 Schwinn Tornado.

Disassembled, cleaned, and polished the frame. Gotta love that Schwinn chrome. The head cups shine like the top of the Chrysler building. Swiped a head badge out of the parts bin. Starting mock up. Fitting the fork. Need to take around 12 threads off the steer tube.

Picked up this old light. Shouldn’t be too hard to convert to bicycle.

The most up to date progress pic. Added some long pulls, seat post and clamp came off a speedster. Going to run a skip tooth setup. I’ve had this wheel set and Columbia tires for a while now and this is a great opportunity to use them. Got the Modern headlight guts fitted, just have to hook up the switch still.

Painted the fork arms. Tried to color/age match the best i could. Turned out pretty not bad.

try

 

[MattiThundrrr]

Nice frame. Like the double bars. It should shine up nicely.

 

[kingfish254]

I've always wanted to find one of those twin bar Tornadoes. I think it was only one year they made them but I am not sure. The way the straight mid tubes carry on to the seatstays if so cool. Sorta a flat cantilever.

 

[MattiThundrrr]

Perfect spot to Awesome Strap a big ol bottle of your favorite Friday night fuel

 

[kingfish254]

What is the serial number on your frame?

 

[kingfish254]

Searching around for info on @Robertk 's 1961 Tornado, I found this info.
Your frame style with the seat stays continuing on to be the mid tubes was only used from about mid 1961 to mid 1962. In 1961 that frame was a Tornado and they changed the name to Typhoon in 1962. So depending on your serial number, your frame is either a 1961 Tornado or a 1962 Typhoon.

 

[Robertk]

What is the serial number on your frame?

 

[slothagese]

The frame is stamped F122911. It’s summer 61. But I figured I’d wait to pull the crank to make sure.

 

[slothagese]

The frame is stamped F122911. It’s summer 61. But I figured I’d wait to pull the crank to make sure.

Chainguard says tornado also.

 

[kingfish254]

The frame is stamped F122911. It’s summer 61. But I figured I’d wait to pull the crank to make sure.

Great year! I'm only a month and a half older than your bike!

 

[RustySprockets]

I believe the same frame was also used on the 1961 Skipper--all twin-bars; some true cantilever and some not. Neat frames!

 

[kingfish254]

I believe the same frame was also used on the 1961 Skipper--all twin-bars; some true cantilever and some not. Neat frames!

Skippers were different but somewhat similar.

 

[slothagese]

Updated

 

[kingfish254]

Updated

Show us your updates?

 

[slothagese]

Show us your updates?

I’m doing the whole build in the thread. I noticed some people are putting parts of the build in the comments. So by “updated”, I’ve added more to the build

 

[OddJob]

Any current process photos or descriptions you can share with us?
Inquiring minds want to know!

 

[kingfish254]

I’m doing the whole build in the thread. I noticed some people are putting parts of the build in the comments. So by “updated”, I’ve added more to the build

Oh, so you are just adding pics to the first post in your thread.
Yeah, everyone else always updates their build journal threads with new posts. That way it is so much easier to follow the progress of the build.
Unusual method, but good looking frame and work. Cool light.

 

[The Renaissance Man]

Love that frame!
Looks like a Big Ben light.

 

[Dr. Tankenstein]

May I ask which brand of primer/paint this is?

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[slothagese]

May I ask which brand of primer/paint this is?

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

It’s a few different colors of rustoleum