I've found a green Schwinn Varsity that is a March 1973 model.All pictures I've seen show Varsitys either with no fenders or full length chrome fenders. The one I'm looking at has little short aluminun "mini-fenders" on it. I'm guessing they were installed aftermarket , possibly when the bike was new. Might they have been original ? Do the little short fenders actually help at all if you get caught in the rain? :?:
varsity
- Thread starter thom
- Start date
Help Support Rat Rod Bikes Bicycle Forum:
To answer your question "No" the shorty fenders are worthless in the rain but they look cool on touring bikes.
So Schwinnspastic its kinda like a hat on your dog...Looks cute ,but does absolutely nothing. :lol:
jeez did you have to drag my dog into it :lol:
I hope to post some pics in a couple of days.Right now I'm snowed in and unable to bring the bike home. The fenders will be removed and deposited in the trash can asap. I would like to replace them with the correct full fenders if I can find some.I believe the bike will clean up very well. The biggest problem is mis-matched tires .The rear is a 27x1 1/4 gumwall , probably the original , and the front is a blackwall , Kenda , I think. It will probably get a pair of new Kendas like the ones I put on my 27" Western Flyer. They were $9.95 at the local bike shop.Thanks.
Never throw any bike parts away.
Yeah, throw em this way. I could use some more short ones.
The fenders from a Suburban will work for you. A Varsity and a Suburban are essentially the same bike.
A lot of suburbans have color matched fenders with white stripes, black stripes, or gold stripes, so you might have to search a little bit to find exactly what you want. But chrome ones were offered too, so you'll just have to see what turns up.
The later 70's models often came with the short fenders. They could have been added onto a fenderless original bike or full length tourist fenders might have been removed and the bike updated for a more
modern look... in 1980.
The original tires would say Schwinn Puff 27x1-1/4 (yeah I know, puff? Really?). They're VERY hard to find in decent shape. Plenty of modern tires are available to fit those rims- I assume you mean 27 not 24" - in lots of brands and styles.
I use Niagara Cycle for a lot of mail order stuff now- they're very reasonable and ship quickly.
http://www.niagaracycle.com
If you're looking for anything for it drop me a line, might have it.
Good luck with it,
--Rob
The fenders from a Suburban will work for you. A Varsity and a Suburban are essentially the same bike.
A lot of suburbans have color matched fenders with white stripes, black stripes, or gold stripes, so you might have to search a little bit to find exactly what you want. But chrome ones were offered too, so you'll just have to see what turns up.
The later 70's models often came with the short fenders. They could have been added onto a fenderless original bike or full length tourist fenders might have been removed and the bike updated for a more
modern look... in 1980.
The original tires would say Schwinn Puff 27x1-1/4 (yeah I know, puff? Really?). They're VERY hard to find in decent shape. Plenty of modern tires are available to fit those rims- I assume you mean 27 not 24" - in lots of brands and styles.
I use Niagara Cycle for a lot of mail order stuff now- they're very reasonable and ship quickly.
http://www.niagaracycle.com
If you're looking for anything for it drop me a line, might have it.
Good luck with it,
--Rob
I'm leaving work shortly to go get the Varsity. It is going to need some TLC over the weekend. I don't know where or how it has been stored for the past few years, but it has been out in the rain then several inches of snow for the past couple of weeks. I will probably clean and lube everything good. There is very little rust on it and I hope to keep it that way.I remembered since I found this bike that I already have a green Varsity or Collegiate in my collection that I have had for 12-15 years. I have it stored in a barn , with a doezen or so other bikes , at my inlaws . I believe it is a ladies model, with 26" wheels . I plan to go get it this weekend and will post pics of both.
I got the Varsity home. The seller threw in a Mongoose bmx bike and a Magna girls mtb with 24" wheels. It looks like it will be a good weekend to bring the Varsity inside and clean it up. Not a weekend to ride or take outdoor pics. This bike is another first for me . It has toe clips. I may leave them on and give them a try.So far everything looks good on the bike except the rear derailleur is rusted. It will probably work , but looks awful , so I plan to replace it and the tires. 
You might be surprised how good the old chrome is on the derailler. Especially on a Schwinn part. It might clean up.
Some shots of the varsity.I removed the chain and rear derailleur before I took these. The chain seems fine and I will clean , lube , and reuse it. The derailler seems to work smoothly in hand but is the worst looking part on the whole bike. The chrome is almost all gone frome the main frame on it. I will disassemble it , clean it , paint the rusty part and reuse it too I suppose until I find a replacement. Then it will be a spare to keep on hand.
All the rest of the chrome should clean up well, I believe.In the shot of the rear rack you can see the rear fender . I mentioned the fenders earlier. They are aluminum with very narrow black stripes in the center. They are not bad looking fenders, I just wish they were full length and not the little short ones.I also disconnected the rear brake cable before the pics were taken , if you notice the cable hanging down in the first photo. Also I see in the first photo that the rear fender appears to have a flared up end . It doesn't.See the third photo.I'm going to replace the tires.
