Singlespeed & Fixed Gear - Old Schwinn for a fixed

I have found a frame for my project...didn't cost me a dime. I want to build a budget fixie but I don't want to scrimp on the drivetrain to much. For instance, perhaps I should upgrade to a cartridge bb.
However in the interest of keeping this a budget-minded project I'd like to know what I can keep original, maybe I could just overhaul the existing bb and that would be just fine. Except for the parts I am definitely replacing, here's a list of items worth saving (I think).

Frame
Forks
Crank
Chainring
Bottom Bracket
Brake(s)
Front Hub & Rim


Please suggest what parts would be much better off changed out for modern components.

Here's a pic:
http://img47.imageshack.us/img47/4782/Schwinn002.jpg

I wouldn't change anything unless it was broken or useless (like the spoke protector). Probably the best way to keep the budget low.

Well the: Frame, Forks, Brakes, Stem, Handle bars, Seatpost, Seat (if you like) are definate keeps (in my opinion)...but the crank looks like a one piece, that right?
You are gonna have to buy a new rear hub...and I see no reason to keep the old BB (I have a problem with naked BBs now, just me though).
Is the rear rim a smaller size? Front wheel set looks new.

you've got a one piece crank. you won't be able to uprade your bottom bracket to much of anything. sheldon brown's site has a couple of upgrade kits here: http://sheldonbrown.com/harris/opc.html#opc (scroll down a bit.) or get a BMX chainring/spider.

Well the: Frame, Forks, Brakes, Stem, Handle bars, Seatpost, Seat (if you like) are definate keeps (in my opinion)...but the crank looks like a one piece, that right?
You are gonna have to buy a new rear hub...and I see no reason to keep the old BB (I have a problem with naked BBs now, just me though).
Is the rear rim a smaller size? Front wheel set looks new.

Well the stem is missing the original bolt and the hadlebars have a nice ding in them so I am not bothering with those. The seat is a hiddeously large vinyl P.O.S. and the seatpost has a weird diamond shaped head on it, so those are out to.

The rear rim is a bastard part, it is 26" and is also tacoed. The front wheel is probably the original Araya rim and Maillard hub, a keeper except the skewer is broke off.

you've got a one piece crank. you won't be able to uprade your bottom bracket to much of anything. sheldon brown's site has a couple of upgrade kits here: http://sheldonbrown.com/harris/opc.html#opc (scroll down a bit.) or get a BMX chainring/spider.

Man! Thanks for the link! :D

The BB might be a old 28 tpi thread. Old Schwinns/Ashtaulas are threaded 28 tpi. 24 tpi (one-piece crank) is much more common. I think Sheldon Brown can get 28 tpi BBs.

Thing is, unless the BB is actually falling apart, there's really no need to upgrade it. Cheap YST one-piece BBs are pretty decent and will last a long time. Slightly more expensive BMX oriented sealed BBs look nicer, but don't actually perform any better. And if you want to spend the $$$, you might even be able to find the cartridge bearing BBs for one-piece cranks. Personally, I think the only additional thing you'll give you is bragging rights.

Hey duderino, I just finished turning an old Schwinn into a fixie myself - very similar bike with the same BB and cranks, and that silly chain sheild plate on the outside of the cranks. Here's what I did. I took off the guard and the outer chainring, leaving only the inner. I took apart the BB, cleaned everything spic and span, packed new grease, and put everything back together. One of the reasons I kept the one piece crank is that you can do this with an adjustable wrench and a screwdriver in about 20 minutes. I am still using the original 40 tooth inner chainring, which gives me absolutely perfect chainline (I think to the millimeter) with the Suzue Basic hub and a Dura Ace chainring - you can double check this all in Sheldon Brown's entry on chainline. I have found the one piece crank to be bulletproof for my purposes, but you will have to find pedals with 1/2" threads instead of 9/16" (the diameter of the bolt). For this I got a set of Wellgo toeclip-compatible BMX pedals for 10 bucks, BMX pedals are commonly found in both sizes, road/MTN pedals I believe only in 9/16".

Also, since you have a frame probably designed for 27" wheels, you could consider getting the MA3 rim / Suzue Basic hub combo from Harris Cyclery ( www.harriscyclery.com ) for $100, but one thing I found out about the old Schwinn's that I wish I had figured out earlier - A common problem with going with 700c wheels is that you need a brake with better reach. Check your rear caliper - it probably has much more reach than the front caliper. If you are only planning on using one brake, consider using the rear in front and going with a 700c fixed wheelset for $100 from NYCbikes ( www.nycbikes.com) - its a really good deal which I might have gone with in retrospect had I known. Oh well, now I know for the next fixie I build. :-P

Oh yeah, what year is your Schwinn?

Oh yeah, what year is your Schwinn?

It's a 1982, I confirmed that at OldSchwinn.com (http://www.oldschwinn.com).

It's a 1982, I confirmed that at OldSchwinn.com (http://www.oldschwinn.com).

Cool, mine is a '79, not sure of the exact model though, might be a Continental.

Cool, mine is a '79, not sure of the exact model though, might be a Continental.

I don't know the model name of mine either...if anyone can help, I'd appreciate it.

I posted more info here. (http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=60108)