Classic & Vintage - 1973 Schwinn Super Sport

I was wondering if the Ashtabula crankset on this type bike could be replaced with something a bit lighter. Is the BB threading/size english or a Schwinn proprietary thing? If proprietary does an upgrade exist?

It can be replaced but you would need to use a BMX one piece crank to three piece crank bottom bracket conversion kit. This would allow you to use most tapered bottom bracket type cranks. Roger

Harris Cyclery and others sell the 3-piece conversion kit. A nice aluminum cotterless crankset and new pedals would be a superb upgrade for your Super Sport, as would an ultra-6 freewheel.

I was considering doing this to my Super Sport ('72) awhile ago. The thing rides really nicely, but is just too heavy for me these days.

I was considering doing this to my Super Sport ('72) awhile ago. The thing rides really nicely, but is just too heavy for me these days.

That is what I was thinking. It is a heavy, nice riding bike.

I just finished assembling a '76 Continental -- mainly from my parts bins. I considered getting one of those BB conversion kits, but the Ashtabula is a huge (and I do mean huge) part of the bike's visual identity. Maybe I'd feel different if it were a CrMo Super Sport instead of E-F gaspipe.

Lose the kickstand and the Ashtabula crankset, and the Super Sport becomes almost respectable in weight.

Yeah, that kickstand is quite the lead (errr...steel) weight.

I've got a '73 Super Sport that I've considered doing the same thing to.

But... if getting fit is the goal, it's not necessarily bad to have a few extra pounds on the bike, in order to get rid of some pounds around the middle. The weight that's troubling me isn't on the bike, if you know what I mean. Once I get back down to 180, then maybe I'll look at replacing the crank.:)

What's the recommended method for removal of the kickstand? Hacksaw?

No, Park actually makes a tool for removing the kickstand, but you will be left with the tube that it sits in. I know there's an article somewhere on the ol' interweb that has a DIY method for it...

You can remove the kickstand by using a large channel locks type pliers to compress the outboard washer and remove the pin on the bottom allowing the kickstand to be pulled out of the housing.

I put one of these bottom bracket converters on my '66 Super Sport and installed a Stronglight 99 triple crank along with wider range(14-32) freewheel to get more of a touring bike gear range on it.

I don't mind the looks of the Sprint Ashtabula crankset on the pre-'68 Super Sports, but I think the later ones with chain guards attached to the 52t chainring look too massive and clunky. Each to their own.

Kickstand removal is easy -- http://www.angelfire.com/dbz/forum/kickstand.html

I used a c-clamp and a finishing nail I bent into a circle with a needlenosed plier to get a little more oomph it pushing in the ring. The pin came out really easy.

I put a crank adaptor like the one on the Harris site in a replaced the BB and crank with a standard Shimano BB and crank. This, too, was very easy. The crank adapter presses in to the American BB and has 3 bolts that secure it. This is the important part: do NOT try to draw the two sides of the adaptor together using the 3 screws! They are there to retain the adaptor in place and aren't nearly strong enough to draw the halves into the BB. And you can't just bang the two halves in with a block of wood and a hammer because they need to have the screw holes line up for the three bolts.

I made a press with a big bolt and a couple of large washers. I drilled three holes in one washer so that I could draw both sides into the BB at the same time while the bolts were in there keeping them lined up. If you are serious about doing this I would happily lend you my ghetto press.

Bob

Schwinn actually did this on the 1978 version, I think it was the Super Sport Limited. I have one in the garage, but the old spindle is pretty long. Harris cyclery might be able to fix you up with one.

Oh, I should point out that the BB in your Schwinn has no threading at all. The cups are pressed into a plain BB and held in by an interference fit (and the nuts on the crank). The purpose of the adapter is to press in a threaded carrier for the standard BB in place of the cups.

But... if getting fit is the goal, it's not necessarily bad to have a few extra pounds on the bike, in order to get rid of some pounds around the middle. The weight that's troubling me isn't on the bike, if you know what I mean. Once I get back down to 180, then maybe I'll look at replacing the crank.:) ...
HA! I use this same logic about riding my 39 lb. Collegiate! Must be a pitfall of our professions! ;)

Hey Bob,

Yep, I think so! Lots of reading, writing and visiting.

When I mentioned the hacksaw, I was talking about removing the tube, too... not just the kickstand itself.

You guys have got me seriously considering doing this upgrade.

Hey, I'm looking for a ladies frame Schwinn bike- Continental or above. Anybody got one, or know of one for sale?

Rick

Here's a pic of a women's SS that I converted last winter.

:) Is that bike for sale?