Classic & Vintage - New Bike, Le tour

I found a Schwinn Le Tour last weekend. Went and looked at it and it was good looking, fit me, and was ridable. I bought it. Its cardinal red. I got some Tektro R200 brake pulls and rewired the brake cables. I also redid the bar tape because there was masking and electrical tape on there :crash: . Anyway, I am thinking I want to single speed it after looking at some different threads. I would like some input as to what cog and chainwheel combination to use and also what brand would be good. I've been looking at surly. Also, I am toying with the idea of paint. The paint is in decent condition, but is chipped. Minimal rust is present... thoughts? also where could i get decals to go back out it? One more, how can i clean up and polish the brakes and other chrome accents? Is there a specific product or technique? Also how are Velo saddles? Thanks for any help I recieve.

I think you're in the wrong forum to talk about converting to ss/fg.

Try the Single Speed and Fixed Gear forum.

I like around 80-90 gear inches, for what it's worth.

sorry, Thanks for the tip

I found a Schwinn Le Tour last weekend. Went and looked at it and it was good looking, fit me, and was ridable. I bought it. Its cardinal red. I got some Tektro R200 brake pulls and rewired the brake cables. I also redid the bar tape because there was masking and electrical tape on there :crash: . Anyway, I am thinking I want to single speed it after looking at some different threads. I would like some input as to what cog and chainwheel combination to use and also what brand would be good. I've been looking at surly. Also, I am toying with the idea of paint. The paint is in decent condition, but is chipped. Minimal rust is present... thoughts? also where could i get decals to go back out it? One more, how can i clean up and polish the brakes and other chrome accents? Is there a specific product or technique? Also how are Velo saddles? Thanks for any help I recieve.

Single Speeding is like killing Kittens in these parts. :twitchy::notamused:

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3538/3473589855_366b1fded6.jpg

What year and what model LeTour? Some years there was 3-4 different LeTours offered. Some are more valuable then other. My 77 Super LeTour 12.2 for instance was a pretty high end with Shimano 600 Derailleur, Investment cast lugs. It is one of the nicest riding bikes I have.

You start doing conversions and even painting it anything other then a stock restoration you may devalue it. Sometimes even with some scratches it is best to just give it a wax and leave it alone. The Paint on mine would be hard to duplicate. It was a two step paint job. It got a base white with a semi transparent strawberry red top coat. It is very easily scratched and nearly impossible to touch up.

Schwinn has a big following especially the older upper models. A lot of restoration items like decals are available.

If you SS it store the wheels and any parts you remove and do not grind anything off the frame. That way if you sell it you can command a better price by having all its original parts.

I live in a hilly area. I like 18 rear 40 front and that's still a tall gear for some of the hills I have just to get out of my neighborhood.

Yep, if you're going to convert a Le Tour, error on the side of excess!!:D.,,,,BD

27 speed Tiagra 12.2.....!

http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n267/Kustombyker/DSCN4166.jpg