How much effort goes into fixing up an old bicycle - even a Schwinn made in Chicago - usually comes down to the pocketbook.
For a vintage bicycle specialist like the BikemanforU, restoration means making the necessary repairs that will put the bike back on the road. We use old parts where we can, but sometimes we opt for new - even if that means letting go of a "Schwinn approved" caliper brake.
In Schwinn Speedster Restoration part 6, a vintage three-speed bike gets new brakes and a fresh Sturmey Archer shifter with a complete cable change. You can watch the full SSR Series here.
While our Speedster gets the star treatment, sort of, another old Schwinn, a ladies Breeze, is limited to new tires and tubes.
What's the difference, if any? Check out the videos above and below, then let us know what you'd have done.
Was going to comment on the Breeze video but did not.
ReplyDeleteI disagree with the majority that the bike is a basket case but I did not get a great view of the whole thing in the video. How much did he get it for? I could have put tubes and tires in it for below $50. It is a single speed so new wheels for $100ish. Put a few more bucks in bearings, brake opads, etc...and some elbow grease in it and you have a nice, vintage bike for what a new Walmart cruiser would cost you. I suppose it boils down to how much rust is on the frame.
Will you ever get your money back out of that bike? No. But beauty is in the eye of the beholder.