Classic & Vintage - 1987 Schwinn High Sierra: The Beast in the East!

The thread title is apt since I live in S.E. Pa and the bike, truly, is a beast! I picked up this bike from CL for $60. All in all it was in nice shape and just needed a complete tear down and rebuild w/ new cables, pads, tires, grease etc.

I had most everything except for the Planet bike fenders, bar tape,tires and front rack. I tried 3 different Blackburn racks (2 front & 1 rear) none of which would fit without interfering with the front brake cable. The rack that is on it is a Pletscher I got from Rivendell for $32. A couple of bends with 2 sets of Channel Lock pliers on the mounting strut and the rack mounted easily.

The bike is very comfortable and I was surprised at how well it handled at low speeds and how well it handles with weight in the front. I guess it is the slack angles and low trail(?) Anyway I put a gallon jug of concrete bonding agent and small container of ready mix concrete in the front basket to test it. I would guess it was around 12lbs and the bike handled fine.

I included a couple of shots of the bike with all of the bags I have(:lol:) and it will hold them all. I took my 4 yr old daughter out for a ride on her trail-a-bike today and the frame did not flex a bit, even when she stood up and yelled "Yeah Baby!!!" going down a hill. Should be a fun ride with her and also for doing errands. Enjoy!

http://i91.photobucket.com/albums/k292/bylar13/001-1.jpg

http://i91.photobucket.com/albums/k292/bylar13/002-2.jpg

http://i91.photobucket.com/albums/k292/bylar13/003-2.jpg

http://i91.photobucket.com/albums/k292/bylar13/006-1.jpg

http://i91.photobucket.com/albums/k292/bylar13/010-1.jpg

http://i91.photobucket.com/albums/k292/bylar13/014-1.jpg

http://i91.photobucket.com/albums/k292/bylar13/013-1.jpg

http://i91.photobucket.com/albums/k292/bylar13/009-1.jpg

Love how you set this one up!! I need to do this to my Univega.

super nice! damn clean too. looks almost new in some shots.

Beautiful bike, Nice Job and great pics!!

andy

Nice looking. Everything integrates very well.

That right there is a pretty serious machine. :thumb:

Killer build. Great inspiration seeing as I've got one in the works.

Excellent work, fender1. The frame looks to be in great shape.

well done.

I missed out on one of these at a garage sale for $20. Same color too, with brand new tires and a recent tune-up. :(

I have one that I ride pretty regularly - i love it. Your frame does look almost new, esp for $60.

NICE, here's my 88 High Sierra, scored recently from CL for $60 as well.

http://www.dropbox.com/gallery/10525623/1/1988%20Schwinn%20High%20Sierra?h=315a42

Here's mine, almost done. Its going to be my serious touring bike. Traded a Sekai that didn't fit for it.
http://img9.imageshack.us/img9/3621/cimg0043u.jpg

You will love this bike. Early MTB's make great utility bikes.

One cool feature of this year of High Sierra's is the lugged unicrown fork.

My High Sierra that I got last year has become my favorite workhorse. I tried the mustache bars for a while, but finally settled on some NOS Nitto Bullmoose bars and I love it even more.

http://i292.photobucket.com/albums/mm26/mparker326/IMG_0086.jpg

http://i292.photobucket.com/albums/mm26/mparker326/DSCN0473.jpg

Hey all, thanks for the compliments. After doing some more riding on it I think:

1. I will need a new seat post. This one is at its max on the upward tilt and the nose pointing down makes me feel like I am sliding forward a bit.

2. I think I may need one of these http://store.velo-orange.com/index.php/accessories/chainguards-stay-protectors-kickstands/vo-wheel-stabilizer.html as the front end tends to flop to one side when parked.

3. Maybe some nicer tires. I have set of 26" Conti Town & Country's on a tandem and they are a much nicer ride than they $7 Kenda specials from Amazon that are on it right now. They look period correct but feel as if they are rolling from side to side sometimes. Like the side walls are weak or something.

4. A Pump for this:
http://i91.photobucket.com/albums/k292/bylar13/004-2.jpg

Anyone got and leads on an old style frame pump that is not expensive?

i have 3 or 4 pumps, some of which might work... If not Alan's near me has a box full and they're cheap.

that bike looks great. It looks like a mule. I'd like to check it out sometime. The bags also. I almost bought that front one you had in the rack in one of the pics.

[QUOTE=-holiday76;12242800]i have 3 or 4 pumps, some of which might work... If not Alan's near me has a box full and they're cheap.

that bike looks great. It looks like a mule. I'd like to check it out sometime. The bags also. I almost bought that front one you had in the rack in one of the pics.[/QUOTE

I am around all weekend so let me know if you want to come by. I was thinking of doing a ride on Sunday..... As for the bag, it is the large Sackville bag from Rivendell. It is by far the most useful bag I have. It was the cause of "bag envy" when my sister-in-law and mother-in-law were eyeing it on a family vacation to the beach last summer. Tougher than snot and holds a ton. Makes a great diaper bag.........

Black Chrome is the awesome

I'm thinking of a B-67 for mine. You've pretty much made up my mind on that.

http://img18.imageshack.us/img18/5919/bikes928006.jpg

http://img18.imageshack.us/img18/3908/bikes928013.jpg


Also have to look out for some gold bottle cages...

I always feel like I'm sliding forward on the saddle- I assume it's because of the saddle...

Right now I'm rolling with 1.75 Panaracer Pasellas.