rumrunn6

So I have a '70 era Schwinn Varisty. I recently worked on the wheels and tires and reinstalled the wheels. Regarding the back wheel's position in the dropouts here is what I did and have always done but I have a questions. I pulled the wheel on and pulled it back into the dropouts as far as it will go. The drive side stops at the derailer mount and so if I let the wheel find it's center on the frame and roll nicely and evenly then the left side appears to be pretty forward in the dropout.

Is it OK that the left side is not all the way back in the dropout? How far forward to too far? It is well within the dropout and the frame is squarely sitting on the axle. Sorry no picture at this time.

Theories or techniques for mounting and positioning wheels on old steel bikes?

THANKS

riot2003

Your description sounds correct to me. I have a bunch of old schwinn steel frames and thats how my wheels sit in the drop outs.

Ex Pres 

Unless your shifting is not quite right I would use the method you're using. On dropouts without a separate deraiilleur hanger shortening it up you generally don't want to push the wheel to the back.

merckx_rider

+1, just align the wheel to center in the frame and you're done.

noglider 

You did it exactly right. If you want, you can find or fashion a spacer for the left dropout. This will make positioning quicker. But I don't do that on my bikes with derailleur hangers.