Classic & Vintage - '76 (Chicago) Schwinn Continental... I know I know...

Heavy as a tank, but this one is just too pretty and has all the bells and whistles!

It's a 1976 Continental with original Schwinn everything (except the tires) made in Chicaco. Headlight, rear light, generator, wheels made in France, original seat, crankset, back rack made by Pletcher (Switzerland). For the age, this bike is in such excellent shape I had to ask the guy if he ever rode the bike. His response... " it's been in storage for so many years, I have no idea the last time it was ridden". Geesh.

Photos attached.

Beautiful. So what's up? Are you buying it or something, or just sharing?

Ya. I had to buy it. This thing rides beautifully on the flats. It has a... a... old Buick feel to it. I can't wait for it to get dark so's I can use the generator and lite it up!:thumb: (The wife is shaking her head at me). But my kid thinks it's a cool idea!:D

Ya. I had to buy it. This thing rides beautifully on the flats. It has a... a... old Buick feel to it. I can't wait for it to get dark so's I can use the generator and lite it up!:thumb: (The wife is shaking her head at me). But my kid thinks it's a cool idea!:D

The gas pipe Schwinns were beautiful, that's one of the reasons why they sold so many. Yes, when cleaned up, they make nice rides for cruising around the local park.

Congratulations, nice find.

An old Schwinn road bike is ALWAYS a great find! :love: I found what appeared to be an old Schwinn Paramount once, it was on the beach under the Atlantic City boardwalk, it was completely rusted except for the alloy parts, I wanted to take it home soooo bad but we were in my wifes new car and it wasnt going to happen =( I figured it would make for great wall art! I went back the weekend after and of sure enough it was gone =(

Congratulations...I have a '75 Conti, all original except for the tires...I bought it from the original owner, who told me he didn't ride it very much because it was way too big for him. It's a great bike, it's heavy, but I'm a big guy, I need something substantial under me...:)

She's my Sunday Cruiser...once she gets going...it's a soft, comfortable ride...:)

OK, you made me do it! Heres my Schwinn Sport Tourer, I posted it may times but cant pass up the chance to show it again! :lol: (I cant find pics of my SS?)
http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y167/stumpyspic/tourerok003.jpg
http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y167/stumpyspic/tourerok001.jpg

lebleup,

Please don't make excuses. Those of us who have one, love our Continentals. Here's my '62 hanging out with a float plane last fall.

http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p71/pastorbobnlnh/Continental/Campagnoloed%20Continental/HilghlandLk09252007FloatPlane.jpg

Nice bike, no doubt.:)

Here's my '70.
http://i253.photobucket.com/albums/hh60/RodneyR_CJ6/Untitled-25.jpg?t=1215053245

As if I haven't posted more photos of this early '71 then I should:

http://www.jaysmarine.com/schwinncontinental_71_1.jpg

http://www.jaysmarine.com/schwinncontinental_71_2.jpg

-Kurt

As if I haven't posted more photos of this early '71 then I should:

http://www.jaysmarine.com/schwinncontinental_71_1.jpg

http://www.jaysmarine.com/schwinncontinental_71_2.jpg

-Kurt


OMG, that is a beautiful machine! Really gorgeous. Thanks for rescueing her for future generations.

Ok you made me do it.http://i210.photobucket.com/albums/bb150/stringbreaker53/100_1098.jpg

Heavy as a tank, but this one is just too pretty and has all the bells and whistles!

It's a 1976 Continental with original Schwinn everything (except the tires) made in Chicaco. Headlight, rear light, generator, wheels made in France, original seat, crankset, back rack made by Pletcher (Switzerland). For the age, this bike is in such excellent shape I had to ask the guy if he ever rode the bike. His response... " it's been in storage for so many years, I have no idea the last time it was ridden". Geesh.

Photos attached.

Fantastic find. We used to replace the bulbs in that generator set with #1445 automotive bulbs. Minimal loss of effective light in front, fantastic improvement in the rear - you will be seen. Rather short bulb life, though - buy a bunch.

Great info on the auto bulbs for this baby. Thanks!

I gotta tell ya, those are some pretty bikes! Wow.
I am amazed at how nicely this one shifts and rides. But whhhhhoooooooo nelly! It don't stop on the dime let me tell ya. Ha Ha..... Gotta keep in mind " this don't stop like the others do. Too much steel under me!" Ha Haaaaaa. But it's a dream.

I gotta tell ya, those are some pretty bikes! Wow.
I am amazed at how nicely this one shifts and rides. But whhhhhoooooooo nelly! It don't stop on the dime let me tell ya. Ha Ha..... Gotta keep in mind " this don't stop like the others do. Too much steel under me!" Ha Haaaaaa. But it's a dream.

Spray some water on the rims and then try it. Are you familiar with the phrase, "pants ****ting terror"?

I'll try that next time I'm constipated and don't feel like going to the store for laxatives. wow! This bike thing has all sorts of benefits!:thumb:

Fantastic find. We used to replace the bulbs in that generator set with #1445 automotive bulbs. Minimal loss of effective light in front, fantastic improvement in the rear - you will be seen. Rather short bulb life, though - buy a bunch.

The reason you lose light in front and gain it in the rear is you're using the same wattage bulb in both lights -- not the way the system was designed to work. Originally, the headlamp carried a 2.4w bulb and the tail lamp a .5w bulb. A better approach is to use a krypton flashlight bulb (for a 4-battery flashlight; 4 X 1.5DCV = 6DCV) in the headlamp, and lose the generator-driven tail lamp. Replace it with a battery powered LED 'blinkie' model. This allows the generator's entire 3-watt output to go to the headlamp. That, along with the modern krypton bulb will throw a LOT more light out the front, and the LED unit on the rear is a vast improvement over the original.

Good stuff on the head and tail lite set up. Thanks for the input!

Wow . I have a black 76 up on the rebuild rack right now. even looks like the same size and has the same rack. A continental was my 1st real bike from a bike shop not a toy store. Used my own money not mom or dad's. Thay dont ride like sports cars , think lincoln continental. And so easy to work on.
http://i138.photobucket.com/albums/q254/tolfan/schwinn%20single/HPIM0918.jpg