Bikerider007

I thought I would share an update and get some opinions on this. My wife found and after getting some input here it turns out it had potential. So, with parts help from @PastorBobninh and ID help from others including @rhm, I have pulled together the parts for a nice build. My posts get long as I like breaking things out so if you don't want to read all this skip down to the last line.

Bike identified as a 1946 or 1947 Schwinn Superior Tourist lightweight. Single speed, freewheel. The ID was done by parts, a patent number on the stem (applied for 1944, awarded 1945), and the low alpha and serial #. From 1948 on the records were available and the letter on this is a handful prior to where 48' started.

This was their build next to the Paramount, same level of quality but filet brazed Chrome Molybdenum and not lugged. They made two models of the Paramount and Superior, Racer and Sports Tourist. They also made a third in the lineup, the New World that is filet brazed cro-mo as well.

Below is a break down of where I am at as I now have all parts to at least put together.

Original/period correct

F/F- Superior with square high mount fender tabs
Crank-Superior, stamped on the inside of each arm. Schwinn script stamp and AS&CO chain ring
Headset-Superior
Head badge-Superior
Rear fender-Superior
Chain guard-Schwinn Paramount/Superior/New World model
Bottom Bracket-Schwinn script stamped
Brake levers-Schwinn script stamped
Front brake-Schwinn script
Rear Brake-Schwinn expander (frame brake bridge not drilled, obtained both front and rear caliper)
Bottom bracket cups-AS stamped
Hubs-Schwinn dural script stamped
Handlebars-Schwinn (reversible to drop per catalog)
Stem-Schwinn
Seat post-Schwinn
Brake cables-cloth type (not in great shape but usable)
Chain-Diamond

Non orig or non period correct

Seat Clamp-Schwinn from a 1965? Super Sport (correct size 27.0+-). Bolt not stamped "AS" as it should be.
Wheels-Schwinn 26 1/4 (correct size) stamped S-5 from a late 50's-60's.
Front fender-Schwinn 60's from a lightwieght, matches style and metal work of Superior
Pedals-Wald, should be Paramount or Schwinn
Grips-generic black, should be Schwinn script
Saddle-missing

So, I just thought I would share how this came together and get opinions on what you would do with it. A full restore would not be cheap, but on the other hand this would be pretty neat to look almost new again. Thoughts and opinions are welcome.


AS PURCHASED



AS IS



AS IT COULD (I will at least flip bars) BE OR?




JUST BECAUSE THIS LOOKS COOL, THE BB CUPS ARE COPPER COATED



CRANK



SOME CLEANUP

sailorbenjamin

I'm just now getting my '40 New World up to speed. Really nice bikes. congratulations. My usual advise is to just get the thing running and ride it around a bit. It'll tell you what you should do to it. That and you'll know if you really like riding it before you go and do a full restoration.
Second, you need a pointy front fender;

SkyDog75

Items can be copper-plated before being nickel- and/or chrome-plated. It may not be the case in this instance, but sometimes you'll see older items whose nickel plating has worn off to expose the copper underneath.

Looks like a really fun project. Enjoy!

Fahrenheit531 

...What's going on with the rear hub, non-drive side? I haven't seen that before.

juvela

That looks like one serious piece of iron behind the Superior in the first photo.

Senior Ryder 00 

My usual advise is to just get the thing running and ride it around a bit. It'll tell you what you should do to it. That and you'll know if you really like riding it before you go and do a full restoration.

+1 to sailorben... comment. Make it an ongoing project as much as possible. Equip it with workable components and ride it as much as possible.

Cheers,

Van

Bikerider007

I like that fender!

Its basically a drum brake. I pulled apart and is almost exactly the same set up. Was an option from the 30's or so until the 60's.

They brake handles are pretty cool.







@juvela , that's an 83' CJ7 I built up for rock crawling. Currently being neglected due to bike projects.