Post by oldchopperguy on Mar 21, 2013 1:35:52 GMT -5
Being more than a little tired of keeping my Chinese wonder actually running... I decided to feature my latest custom-build. And NO problem making it go... Just use your feet... LOL!
Over the winter, I made what would have been my 7th grade fantasy Schwinn. I got inspired by all the new Huffy fat-tire bikes at Wally World, but truly wanted a REAL old-school Schwinn cruiser.
The frame is a fifties Schwinn fat-tire unit, from eBay, originally in relic condition. After a whole lot of Bondo and primer, it got my own "period" paint in yellow and black, with the black dusted with multi-color micro-metalflake.
The "Comfort" springer fork is from a parted-out 1990's Schwinn Phantom. So is the 7-speed rear hub and rim. The chainguard is an authentic pre-war Schwinn "feather" unit, again originally in relic conditon.
The gooseneck is an extra-long English NOS vintage piece, and the bars are NOS 1950's Western Flyer, inverted for the period "mustache" look.
I tried for the drum-brake front wheel from the parted-out bike, but it sold for $300... TOO pricey for me. So the front rim is new, and I added cantilever brakes since the re-pop fork had mounts already.
All the reflectors are original pre-war glass, the generator and tail-light are NOS 1960's. The headlight is a NOS pre-war Schwinn-Union nacelle and the light inside is a 6V LED bulb/reflector grafted in from a modern lantern. They shine through a period ribbed-glass lens.
The mousetrap book-rack is a NOS fifties unit, as are the pedal-crank and chainwheel. The tires are NOS vintage, larger than the standard fat-tire 26"... Similar to those found on Whizzer conversions. I don't know HOW old they are... They have the "UNION" logo all over, as the tread. If they die, I'll never find more, but they ARE the "icing on the cake"...
With seven speeds and a coaster-brake in the hub, it still looks "vintage 1-speed" but can climb like a mountain goat and rides like a limo...
Only the hairpin-spring seat, front rim, front brake, chain and pedals are new manufacture. All the rest is vintage from my youth and before. A few of the parts are nearly a century old.
I badged it with my own ficticious model "Schwinn Yellowjacket" in honor of the old "Hornet" and other fat-tire Schwinns of my youth like the Phantom. All the decals are my own, done on my PC. This process is not difficult, and makes some amazing graphics possible with real waterslide decals.
Young folks love its old-school charm, and old geezers sometimes get tears in their eyes from the memories of their long-forgotten youth she revives. "Ole Yeller" has about $300 cash, and 200 hours of winter spare time involved, but she's worth it. She's sort of a "smile-factory" on wheels...
Right now, my Honda car is leaking oil so badly I can barely drive it. My old Mercury wagon won't hold a charge and my trusty scooter is apart all over the lawn requiring brake and exhaust repair. However, this resurrected WWII Schwinn ALWAYS is ready to ride... Hmmmm... food for thought!
Ride safe, even if your ride has no motor...
Leo (now using sneakers and pedals) in Texas
Over the winter, I made what would have been my 7th grade fantasy Schwinn. I got inspired by all the new Huffy fat-tire bikes at Wally World, but truly wanted a REAL old-school Schwinn cruiser.
The frame is a fifties Schwinn fat-tire unit, from eBay, originally in relic condition. After a whole lot of Bondo and primer, it got my own "period" paint in yellow and black, with the black dusted with multi-color micro-metalflake.
The "Comfort" springer fork is from a parted-out 1990's Schwinn Phantom. So is the 7-speed rear hub and rim. The chainguard is an authentic pre-war Schwinn "feather" unit, again originally in relic conditon.
The gooseneck is an extra-long English NOS vintage piece, and the bars are NOS 1950's Western Flyer, inverted for the period "mustache" look.
I tried for the drum-brake front wheel from the parted-out bike, but it sold for $300... TOO pricey for me. So the front rim is new, and I added cantilever brakes since the re-pop fork had mounts already.
All the reflectors are original pre-war glass, the generator and tail-light are NOS 1960's. The headlight is a NOS pre-war Schwinn-Union nacelle and the light inside is a 6V LED bulb/reflector grafted in from a modern lantern. They shine through a period ribbed-glass lens.
The mousetrap book-rack is a NOS fifties unit, as are the pedal-crank and chainwheel. The tires are NOS vintage, larger than the standard fat-tire 26"... Similar to those found on Whizzer conversions. I don't know HOW old they are... They have the "UNION" logo all over, as the tread. If they die, I'll never find more, but they ARE the "icing on the cake"...
With seven speeds and a coaster-brake in the hub, it still looks "vintage 1-speed" but can climb like a mountain goat and rides like a limo...
Only the hairpin-spring seat, front rim, front brake, chain and pedals are new manufacture. All the rest is vintage from my youth and before. A few of the parts are nearly a century old.
I badged it with my own ficticious model "Schwinn Yellowjacket" in honor of the old "Hornet" and other fat-tire Schwinns of my youth like the Phantom. All the decals are my own, done on my PC. This process is not difficult, and makes some amazing graphics possible with real waterslide decals.
Young folks love its old-school charm, and old geezers sometimes get tears in their eyes from the memories of their long-forgotten youth she revives. "Ole Yeller" has about $300 cash, and 200 hours of winter spare time involved, but she's worth it. She's sort of a "smile-factory" on wheels...
Right now, my Honda car is leaking oil so badly I can barely drive it. My old Mercury wagon won't hold a charge and my trusty scooter is apart all over the lawn requiring brake and exhaust repair. However, this resurrected WWII Schwinn ALWAYS is ready to ride... Hmmmm... food for thought!
Ride safe, even if your ride has no motor...
Leo (now using sneakers and pedals) in Texas
