stingray66

have a 1973 varsity having hell of a time getting up hills already converted the back freewheel to a seven speed 12-34
and think this might be the ticket if it fits

Triple Sprocket Chainrings for One Piece Crank Bike 48 38 28 T 1 2x3 32 Chain | eBay

Retro Grouch 

Just do it!

I call the type of project that you're talking about "tuition in the school of bike mechanics". You can almost never change just one part on a bicycle because everything works together so you find something else that you have to do to make it work. The particular project that you have in mind - I used to have the tee shirt for that but it's been too long to remember anything useful. Whatever! Just do it, learn from it and enjoy your bicycle.

Homebrew01

You may need a triple front derailleur designed to handle the wider range.

cny-bikeman

It will fit - as noted may require new front derailleur.

Homebrew01

Varsities have skinny seatposts, I think, so a new FD might require a shim also.

Metacortex

That chainring will indeed fit the stock one-piece crank. There are a couple of caveats. One issue is chainline, when Schwinn installed triple chainrings a 1.6mm spacer washer was fitted under the drive side bottom bracket cone to space the rings for a better chainline. You will need to do the same. A 2mm spacer for 1" headsets will work.

Another potential issue is regarding the shifters. Depending on when your Varsity was built in 1973 it will have either the 1st or 2nd gen. Twin-Stik shifters. You will want the 2nd gen version as those were designed for increased cable travel, which will allow it to shift a triple chainring more reliably. The following pic shows the 1st (left) and 2nd (right) gen. shifters:



The front derailleur *should* work but will have to be moved down on the seatpost. If it doesn't work well then you may need to replace it with something newer. If a replacement is necessary then because the Varsity has a thin 1" seatpost while most newer derailleurs are designed for 1-1/8" posts, a shim like this will be required.

You will also need to address the rear derailleur and chain. Since you installed a wide-range freewheel I assume you've already replaced the rear derailleur with a long-cage model, if not then you'll definitely need to do that when installing the triple chainrings. Finally, since you would be going from a 52T to a 48T large ring you will probably need to shorten the chain.

stingray66

Thank you so much for the infor it will help a lot I checked and I do have the second gen shiffters
And I are already replaced the rear The derailleur with a long cage one just order the shim and t
Ordered the washer
Not looking so much for speed as looking for hill climbing the 12/34 helped but still struggling Badly
That's what happens when you get old were I ride there is a ton of hills witch I end up walking up as every one rides pass me
This is why I like this bike as there are things you can do to it to
Make it better and it's really a good looking bike
Ridding to improve on my health problems witch is working out great and thanks for the infor I will put it to good use
Norm

stingray66

By the way I for got they wanted 22 bucks for this chain ring I offer 15 bucks and got it for 15

fietsbob

OPC BB adapter to a Threaded cup 3 piece then a whole universe of square taper cranks open Up to You.

Metacortex

You're very welcome. Please check your Private Messages.

tcs

Here's mine, with Campy Record front derailleur and Huret Doupar Titane rear derailleur.

stingray66

love that color when the sun hits it and the chrome all cleaned up the bike just popshttps://img.photobucket.com/albums/v511/stingray66/Mobile%20Uploads/2016-06/B774C684-2E7A-49DB-B1F9-4B70DE57AC7E.jpg

Metacortex

Please keep us posted on how the triple conversion works. For $15 I'm tempted to try one of those chainrings myself. BTW, I did some measuring of the stock "Schwinn Approved" front derailleur and I think that it may indeed handle the 28-38-48T triple just fine, after being lowered on the seat tube of course. I calculated that chainring spread would require at least a 41mm tall cage and from a quick measurement the stock derailleur has a range of 45mm. No guarantees but I think it should work.

stingray66

ok I will most likely get it some time next week I will keep you posted going to do this on my 73 varsity and leave my 75 stock for now might lose a little top end BUT its the hills that are killing me and really think this will make a big difference I do have the second gen shifters ordered that spacer you talked about too in less then an hour this will be interesting to see if it works
I post on how it goes Norm

stingray66

Ok got the chain ring fit was good took about ten mins to install
Problem is I can get it in to 28 and the 38 but as far as the 48 it is a no go played around with a lot of adjustments and there seems like there's just not enough pull to get it in the 48 ring the rear shifted no problem tried it in all three rings and that works great
What I am going to do next is get a grip shifter for triple and replace derailuer fora triple chain ring
I all ready have a seven speed grip shifter on this bike for the rear so it no big thing at this point then I think all will work great

Metacortex

Try removing the 2mm crank spacer to see if that will help. Because this is an aftermarket crank they may have built-in some offset for chainline correction.

stingray66

Ok will try that right now picking up grand son so will have to try later tonight norm

Narhay

Are your front derailleur limit screws backed out?

stingray66

Yes I did

stingray66

Ok sorry for the delay had some family heath problems that needed to be taken care of.
Yesterday I tried this again with out the spacer and still not shifting in to the 48 gear.
Order a new front Shimano Altus FD-M191 Mountain Front Derailleur - 7sp made for 48/38/28 chain ring but i did not get it yet . I did have a Sram MRX Comp Twister Mountain Bike Shifter - Front and since I already have a Sram 7 speed twist shifter for the rear I install this for the front. Well That worked after some tweaking I now have a 72 schwinn varsity 21 speed took it out tonight went 8 miles on it and hint all the gears the only thing i lost was 2 mph on the top end. Were I could get it to 15 mph on the 52 I am now at 13 on the 48 on theses 64 year old legs
But the one hill I just could not get up before even standing on the petals the bike would just stop.tonight I climbed that hill was a little winded but I made it with the 28 gear The 38 feels about the seam as the 39 that the bike had
[IMG][/IMG]

stingray66

[IMG][/IMG]

stingray66

[IMG][/IMG]

stingray66

[IMG]URL=https://smg.photobucket.com/user/stingray66/media/IMG_0510.jpg.html][/URL][/IMG]

Staypuft1652

I like what you've done with your varsity.

Metacortex

That's awesome, glad it worked out with the original front derailleur. Any chance you could post pics of the entire bike?