OK.... I'm in a delimna here: I just picked up an old 1960's vintage Schwinn 'Racer" in really fine shape.... and am pondering what to do with it. The two real choices are Rat-rod it, or just clean it up and keep it original.
One problem this bike has is that the wheels are the funky Schwinn-sized 26 x 1 3/8 (S5) .... and tires are not easy to get for it. If I keep the bike totally original, I'm stuck with the odd-sized tire. I do have however, a very nice 3 speed wheelset off of a new TREK.... in modern 26" size.
SO.... do I: 1. keep the bike original... or 2. swap out the wheels and keep the rest of the bike looking original or 3. Rat Rod the heck out of it and don't worry if it's original... ?
I always worry that if I Rat-rod it, somebody will come up and say "Wow... you ruined that fine old bike!" at which point, I'd have to break their arm.
One problem this bike has is that the wheels are the funky Schwinn-sized 26 x 1 3/8 (S5) .... and tires are not easy to get for it. If I keep the bike totally original, I'm stuck with the odd-sized tire. I do have however, a very nice 3 speed wheelset off of a new TREK.... in modern 26" size.
SO.... do I: 1. keep the bike original... or 2. swap out the wheels and keep the rest of the bike looking original or 3. Rat Rod the heck out of it and don't worry if it's original... ?
I always worry that if I Rat-rod it, somebody will come up and say "Wow... you ruined that fine old bike!" at which point, I'd have to break their arm.