Classic & Vintage - Schwinn crank sprocket removal

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tim1217
08-21-11, 03:10 PM
I m restoring two 70's era Schwinns, a 71 Breeze and a 74 Hollywood. I've got everything disassembled except I can't tell if the sprocket on the crank is meant to come off. There does appear to be a threaded connection, but it seems to be welded together. I don't want to start whacking at it if it was not meant to be. Please don't ask why I want to remove it...I'm just the kind of person that if it can be done, I want to do it.

Thanks,

Tim

rhenning
08-21-11, 05:28 PM
Take the cranks out of the bikes. There is large bearing race nut the holds the sprocket on. You will not be able to see this until they are removed from the frame. It the same system used by BMX bikes. Roger
catmandew52
08-21-11, 05:34 PM
Let Sheldon show you how: http://sheldonbrown.com/opc.html

sailorbenjamin
08-21-11, 06:18 PM
Remember that the threads on the left side of the bike are left handed.
tim1217
08-21-11, 08:13 PM
Yes...the entire crank is out and I do see the nut (just two flat sides). I don't currently have a wrench large enough to fit it (seems about 1 1/4 inches wide) and looks like it is threaded onto the crank (thus holding the sprocket in place). Just won't budge with the channel locks. Now that I know it does come off, I will get the appropriate size wrench.

Thanks for the info.

The only other problem area is the small nuts on the pedals (to take them apart to be able to clean and re-grease the bearings). The other side of the bolt is a round head (with no screw slots) and the whole system turns when I turn the nut. Any ideas? I tried clamping the bolt head with a vise-grip but the head is so small, it just slips out of the grips.