Build Blog: '73 Speedster

[Aaroneous]

Hey, I bet this new section would be the perfect place for build blogs, huh? :D

So whatcha got here is a Schwinn Speedster 3-speed, serial number FJ595032, manufactured in the proud city of Chicago on a lovely June day in 1973. That's pure electroforged (http://www.sheldonbrown.com/chicago-schwinns.html)American steel, baby.
http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e77/aaroneous/7f446e56.jpg

I got it for $5 at a garage sale a couple blocks over last fall. Not bad!
Those are 26x1 3/8 (S6) rims, so the I'm gonna lace the Sturmey hub to a modern 26" MTB rim, and for the front I've got an old high-flange Schwinn-approved road hub that should look nice. Hopefully I'll be able to cram some fatter rubber between those stays with the extra clearance - but I'm gonna hafta get some long-reach BMX brakes to make it work out.

The saddle is frickin' awesome. It's an Italian leather sofa. However, I have a banana seat I want to re-cover with faux fur or something... Decisions, decisions...

So right now the bike is torn apart in a bin in my garage. The frame has plenty of rust and scratches, so I'm gonna give it the ol' sandy-spraypainty routine - no need for faithful restoration here. Just gotta decide on a color... Suggestions? I saw a metallic purple Rust-oleum that looked mighty tempting... :crazy2:

Anyway, I'll take some more pics once I get into the wheelbuilding and painting...
Happy wrenching!
~Aaron

[Beau]

I have a speedster. I put 26" wheels on it with 2.10 tires and they fit.

I'm planning a HUGE cruiser ride this Summer to go down in Mankato. Looking to get approx. 50-60 riders to do a cruse around town on 50's and 60's bikes. Hopefully you'll have it done for that! I'm thinking it will be going down around the Natural Valley Grand Prix race.

I started a bike gang here in Mankato called 'Todd's Gang'. None of us are named Todd though. We got our inspiration from Beavis and Butthead, huh huh. We all ride old school cruisers and hope to make it a statewide 'Gang'!!!

Stay tuned!

[steef]

Here's one my partner converted from a 3 speed:
http://www2.bitstream.net/~nakroach/image/bikes/sears1.jpg

It's got alloy coaster brake wheels on it. I think we need to find some fatter slicks. :D

[SprocketHead]

...Schwinn Speedster 3-speed, serial number FJ595032, manufactured in the proud city of Chicago...

Wow, that brings back memories. I had one exactly like that right around that year I was about 12 years old..

I was pissed off at my parents because "10 speed" bikes were all the rage at the time, but I rode that old 3 speed all over Albert Lea and beyond.

[Aaroneous]

Man, I've got to get cranking on this bike, or it's going to take all summer.

Last night I laced up my very first wheel ever for this bike! :cool: I'm pretty excited about it, but of course, still don't have my camera back, so no pic. *sigh*

I used an Alex X202 rim, and laced it to an old high-flange road hub with 36 Wheelsmith straight-gauge spokes & brass nips.
The coolest part for me was getting the first two set of spokes in, and then going to do the first crossed one - suddenly I put the wheel down in my lap, and went "Ohhhhhhhhhh... coooooooooool..." and it all made sense. I must have stared at it for like 10min, just pondering...

I bought the eBook from Wheelpro, and used his online spoke calc and measuring techniques to figure it all out. Definitely worth the $9.

We'll see how the tensioning and truing goes tonight... Then it's on to the rear.
I love learning new stuff!!

[berrywise]

Hey Aaron how bout an update :D

[Aaroneous]

Hey Aaron how bout an update :D

*cough* Uh... Lemme see... Yeah, it still pretty much looks like this:
http://www.morcmtb.org/photopost/data/500/Bikes_017.jpg

I was all fired up about it for a while, but lost interest.

I'm sure I'll finish it eventually. And by "eventually" I mean sometime before I die.

~A