Hey Guys -
OK, I've been on these forums for a few months now doing a lot of research and learning a bunch from you all, so now it is time for me to start my first build ever (cross fingers and wish me luck). Really feel free to give me ANY feedback whatsoever, and if I am thinking about doing something you know just won't work please fill me in... there is so much I still need to learn about bikes in general but I can't sit around waiting forever to learn it, gotta just jump in. So here goes....
THE MR. BELVEDERE BIKE
LOL, yes... maybe you recognize the old show, it's just a fun title that reminds me of what I am going to be building; an american bike with a brittish style.
OK, I know its not an actual CRUISER, and if I posted my build in the wrong forum please feel free to move it over to the right one. But, that being said, this will be my local cruising bike with a rat heart to it.
THE STARTER BIKE
I just picked up this 1972 Schwinn Varsity for a few bucks off of Craigslist. I can't believe how excited I was to pick up my first bike to fix and mess around with. It's actually a really nice bike though the rims look as if they are pitting. Everything original, but some major major gunk on it to clean off... that's all good for me to learn.
THE INSPIRATION
Pashley Guv'nor and vintage Path Racer style bicycles
I just love the look and feel of that bike! But its way way too expensive to buy on its own (overpriced I would say) and what fun is just buying a pre-made bike?!
MORE VARSITY PICKS
Check more out on my Flickr account - http://flickr.com/photos/thezamn/sets/72157605851921081/
Stem Shifter (will go because I want a North Road Drop style handlebar with shifters there).
Bahh! Rims are pitted (am I using the right word). Thinking this means that if I paint them or clean them up they will continue to deteriorate? They are S-6 Tubular Rims. If I change out the rims I would want (if the bike allows it) to maybe get a little larger and thicker of a wheel.
Date the bike to May of 1972.
First thing I did was take off all the reflectors and tried taking off the back rack but a screw is stripped, so its on until I can get something to pull it out with.
QUESTIONS AND IDEAS
OK, so I am going to strip off all of the cables and start from scratch with the frame just to teach me how to do all of this. I am thinking about putting a 3 speed internal sturmey archer hub with a drum brake on it for that sleek look (and maybe a drum brake on the front if its not overkill?). I'm also thinking stick with the rim size or go up to a larger diameter (is 700c larger?) with a thicker tire on it. I have a few questions though if you guys can or want to help?
1) You can only fit ONE size tire on the S-6 rim, correct? If not, can I go thicker just by a little? If the S-6's can't do that then, with the caliper brakes off (due to the drum brake) do I have more room to go larger on a tire there? Also am I missing anything about hub size with Schwinn that will cause me a problem? I know that the spacing is 125mm (or maybe 126mm) but it looks like the 3 speed internals will fit that fine.
2) Any ODD things I need to watch out for when buying parts or changing out things on a Schwinn?
3) Is it overkill to put a drum brake hub on both the front and back wheel? It costs more to do but I thought it would clean up the look and feel of the bike. And the hubs are going to be a gift from the girlfriend who wants to get me something nice so we can ride together (aka ride with her back and forth to work).
Thanks guys, and I hope to have some new pics up soon with changes! Again feel free to tell me what you guys think.
OK, I've been on these forums for a few months now doing a lot of research and learning a bunch from you all, so now it is time for me to start my first build ever (cross fingers and wish me luck). Really feel free to give me ANY feedback whatsoever, and if I am thinking about doing something you know just won't work please fill me in... there is so much I still need to learn about bikes in general but I can't sit around waiting forever to learn it, gotta just jump in. So here goes....
THE MR. BELVEDERE BIKE
LOL, yes... maybe you recognize the old show, it's just a fun title that reminds me of what I am going to be building; an american bike with a brittish style.
OK, I know its not an actual CRUISER, and if I posted my build in the wrong forum please feel free to move it over to the right one. But, that being said, this will be my local cruising bike with a rat heart to it.
THE STARTER BIKE
I just picked up this 1972 Schwinn Varsity for a few bucks off of Craigslist. I can't believe how excited I was to pick up my first bike to fix and mess around with. It's actually a really nice bike though the rims look as if they are pitting. Everything original, but some major major gunk on it to clean off... that's all good for me to learn.
THE INSPIRATION
Pashley Guv'nor and vintage Path Racer style bicycles
I just love the look and feel of that bike! But its way way too expensive to buy on its own (overpriced I would say) and what fun is just buying a pre-made bike?!
MORE VARSITY PICKS
Check more out on my Flickr account - http://flickr.com/photos/thezamn/sets/72157605851921081/
Stem Shifter (will go because I want a North Road Drop style handlebar with shifters there).
Bahh! Rims are pitted (am I using the right word). Thinking this means that if I paint them or clean them up they will continue to deteriorate? They are S-6 Tubular Rims. If I change out the rims I would want (if the bike allows it) to maybe get a little larger and thicker of a wheel.
Date the bike to May of 1972.
First thing I did was take off all the reflectors and tried taking off the back rack but a screw is stripped, so its on until I can get something to pull it out with.
QUESTIONS AND IDEAS
OK, so I am going to strip off all of the cables and start from scratch with the frame just to teach me how to do all of this. I am thinking about putting a 3 speed internal sturmey archer hub with a drum brake on it for that sleek look (and maybe a drum brake on the front if its not overkill?). I'm also thinking stick with the rim size or go up to a larger diameter (is 700c larger?) with a thicker tire on it. I have a few questions though if you guys can or want to help?
1) You can only fit ONE size tire on the S-6 rim, correct? If not, can I go thicker just by a little? If the S-6's can't do that then, with the caliper brakes off (due to the drum brake) do I have more room to go larger on a tire there? Also am I missing anything about hub size with Schwinn that will cause me a problem? I know that the spacing is 125mm (or maybe 126mm) but it looks like the 3 speed internals will fit that fine.
2) Any ODD things I need to watch out for when buying parts or changing out things on a Schwinn?
3) Is it overkill to put a drum brake hub on both the front and back wheel? It costs more to do but I thought it would clean up the look and feel of the bike. And the hubs are going to be a gift from the girlfriend who wants to get me something nice so we can ride together (aka ride with her back and forth to work).
Thanks guys, and I hope to have some new pics up soon with changes! Again feel free to tell me what you guys think.
