Sprint Front Hub and Wheel Restoraton

Hello and Welcome,Monday night I started refurbishing the front wheel and hub. I had planned to work on the back wheel. But seeing that the front wheel seemed to have more rust. I thought it would be better to see if the front wheel was savable first. Because if not I would have to start looking for another wheel-set.As you can see by the first two pics, it was a little rough. I mounted it on the truing stand and went to work.As usual I used a brass brush and Turtle-Wax Chrome "Polish&Rust Remover". After working my way around the rim, I went to work on the hub. Basically the same process, just a little tougher to reach. I removed the wheel from the stand to finish the flanges. The spokes were nasty looking as well. Using automotive wet sanding paper(dry)I went over the spokes with a medium to light grit then finished with a fine grit. Then I applied a tiny bit of oil to each spoke nipple using a Q-Tip.
That will pay-off latter when I go to true the wheel.Which by the way is already
amazingly straight. So the front wheel is basically done. I just need to re-grease the bearings and true it up. Last night I started refurbishing the back wheel. So far
the rim is clean and polished. I have removed the free-wheel and the axle and bearings.I brushed and polished up the Pie-Plate. It looks great. So I`m going to get back to work and try to finish the rear wheel this afternoon. Some of the new components have been arriving. So I should have a lot to report in the next few days.
Till next time, Ride Safe and as always remember to RESCUE,RESTORE&RECYCLE.
Cheers,Hugh

Schwinn Sprint Head-Set, Stem and Post

Hello and Welcome, Yesterday after taking care of of my Valentines Day obligation. I was able to spend some time working on the Sprint.First I would like to talk about the order in which I do things, and why. Once I have chosen a bike, and decided that it is worth restoring. Where do I start? I like to start with the very basics. First the frame. Having been inspected at the time of purchase, I already know it is not bent, dented or has any serious rust issues. And of course the fork is not bent or dented. So once I have stripped the bike down to the frame and I have gotten a good look at the crank assembly, bracket and headset etc. etc. I like to do the Crank and Bracket first. Simply because it is the beginning of the drive train. After which I like to do the head-set/fork because it is the beginning of controlling the bike. To me the logical next step would be the back-wheel and chain. This will include the rear derailleur.(although it will not be hooked up at this point) The reason I like to complete the basic drive-train first is. It just makes sense to have all the basics done before installing a bunch of components. So.... continuing along that train of thought I like to do the front wheel next. Now I have a drive train, basic steering, and two wheels to roll on. Next I like to install the Stem and handlebars.(if I haven`t already installed the stem) Now we have the basic drive train,steering, and wheels to roll on. Now it is time to install the brake-calipers and levers. I will also install the shoes, just to make sure they are going to contact the rim properly.I don`t install the brake-cables at this point. I just squeeze the calipers shut by hand to adjust the shoes.Now I have started all the basic functions of the bike, motivation,control and stopping. My logic is this, Why get the shifters mounted and brake and shifter cables routed and hooked -up. And a saddle and post, bar-tape etc. etc. etc. Just to find-out you have a major problem with one of the basics. I am by no means saying I have never strayed from this order. Sometimes waiting for a part to arrive, I might "jump ahead" to keep the project moving. I try not to make a habit of it,because I know where it can lead. Someone once told me
"It is much easier to learn from other peoples mistakes,than from your own." So having said that, I`m gonna go mount some mirrors and a cyclometer a headlight and a rear flasher. Just Kidding! I think it`s time to start working on the rear wheel,derailleur and chain. NOTE: These are just "MY OPINIONS" And you know my opinion and a buck and quarter might get you a small coffee at Speed-Way. Till next time, RIDE SAFE and remember to always RESCUE, RESTORE &RECYCLE! Cheers,Hugh

Schwinn Sprint Update

Hello and Welcome,I removed the bracket and bearings.Then got everything cleaned-up and re-packed with fresh grease. It came apart simply enough. And the bearings and bracket & chain-rings all appear to be in excellent condition.I noticed that the large chain-ring looked virtually unused. And that the smaller chain-ring only had a slight amount of grime on it.(from the chain)This reinforces my belief that this bike was ridden very little. When removing the bracket, I did not have a bracket wrench that fits the drive side. And none of my 3 large crescent wrenches would open wide enough. But I was able to remove everything easily from the left side. To get it nice and clean inside. I tilted the the frame (on the stand) so that the drive side was a little higher. Then I sprayed it out real good with White Lightning "Clean-Streak." After which I pushed a rolled up rag inside the shell and then twisted the rag to clean the shell and drive side bearing cup. I did this a couple times then checked (inside the bracket shell) with a flash-light,and it was spotless.After re-packing the bearings and greasing up the bracket itself real good. I then re-assembled the bracket from the left side of the bracket.Then spent some quality time polishing the crank arms and crank with "Mothers Mag and Aluminum Polish." To touched up the bad spots I hit it with a brass brush. "You be the judge", but I think the crank cleaned -up pretty good.
Sat 2-13-10 This morning I had to deliver a bike and make some adjustments for the new owner.Normally I road-test the road-racer type bikes and do any tweaking before delivery.Unfortunately due to ice and snow and salt this was not possible. So I took a well stocked tool-bag with me and did all the tweaking on the spot.(Bad Idea)In the future I will try to avoid this happening. Way to cold to be doing that outside. Anyway after making a few adjustments,I told the new owner go put some miles on it. then bring it by and I will make any necessary adjustments or changes for free.I also brought him a spare set of brake shoes and a partial can of White-Lightning Clean-Streak. So now I am very tired and will probably not do any more bike work today. Tomorrow I will clean-up the bearings and cups and re-install the fork on the Sprint. Then start refurbishing the wheel-set. I have spotted a set of alloy wheels on one of the girls bikes(step through frame). I may steal these for the Sprint project.But I have not decided yet. Seems kind of silly, as that bike is finished. But the step-through frame bikes are slow to move. I`ll get back to you about that one. In the mean time,RIDE SAFE and remember,RESCUE,RESTORE & RECYCLE.
Cheers,Hugh

Schwinn Sprint 62 cm

Hello,
This weeks project is a classic Schwinn Sprint. I took it apart last night and de greased the head-set bearings. Not much to show yet. I worked in the shop till 11:15 pm last night figuring out what components are going to be replaced and what will be refurbished. The rear wheel is bent beyond repair. So I`m going to borrow a new one off a parts bike and I am going to replace the front wheel with a (new) extra wheel I have laying around. This works out well, because the bike "as it sits" has no quick-release wheels. So this will be a huge improvement. Cables and shoes will all be replaced (as always). The saddle was still good, But I decided to replace it with a new "Speed V" Saddle by W.T.B. Well off to the shop, hopefully I will have some pics to add latter today. Hey! did I forget to mention the frog? He just stopped in for a visit one evening last summer. UPDATE: It is now evening and as you can see I made pretty good progress today. I hope to finish the bike 100% tomorrow.
Cheers Hugh

Schwinn Sprint , Giant Connection?

This 1980 something Schwinn Sprint was one of
two I found at a moving sale. Shown here after a very easy restoration. While researching the bike I ran across a post on the net. It mentioned that in the 1980`s some of the ten speeds Schwinn sold were built by Giant. I believed the story because, the quality of some of the lugged frames was excellent. But I was never 100% sure the story was true till this week. I purchased a Schwinn World (for restoration) It appears to have been ridden once or twice then stored. While going over the bike I spotted a little factory sticker on the drop-out. It simply said "Schwinn Approved" and just below that "Giant". I will attempt to photograph the sticker (on the bike) and show it on a latter post. So if you think you can`t afford a GIANT road-racer, well maybe you can after all. I am restoring the Schwinn "World" this week and thinking about showing the restoration (in stages) on this blog. I`ll take some pics today. Remember to Always.. Rescue Restore & Recycle! Ride Safe. Cheers, Hugh