[Completed build] Schwinn Prelude
02-28-09, 08:05 PM
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[Completed build] Schwinn Prelude
Greetings C and V ers....
Have finally finished assembling my first vintage build.
This bike was found at a garage sale for $20. I put new tubes, tires, cables, and bar wrap on it, and it looked like this. Sorry I dont have any "as found" pictures....
Have finally finished assembling my first vintage build.
This bike was found at a garage sale for $20. I put new tubes, tires, cables, and bar wrap on it, and it looked like this. Sorry I dont have any "as found" pictures....
02-28-09, 08:11 PM
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So, this being my first steel framed bike, I determined I really liked it! It rode great, was smooth, comfortable geometry for me, and so on. Not quite as fast as my Felt F75 (alum and Carbon stays) but definitely more comfortable "out of the box." So - given that my brother in law is a painter, I decided to start prepping it.
I originally wanted to keep all the lugs polished, but the bottom bracket and seat lug was just toooooo hard to get stripped by hand.
I originally wanted to keep all the lugs polished, but the bottom bracket and seat lug was just toooooo hard to get stripped by hand.
02-28-09, 08:13 PM
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Christmas day, my brother-in-law and I ran over to his shop...
02-28-09, 08:15 PM
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sealer and then blue primer.
02-28-09, 08:17 PM
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base coat and then baking it.
02-28-09, 08:19 PM
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more base, and then clear.
02-28-09, 08:20 PM
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partially built up one Friday night...
02-28-09, 08:22 PM
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There was chrome under the paint?
-Kurt
-Kurt
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02-28-09, 08:26 PM
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and finished!!!!!
Ran outside this am before the rain to get a garage door shot. With an overcast day, the pictures dont do justice for the paint. My aim was the blue on the helmets of the Giants....not because I'm any fan of them...just because I think that blue looks sharp in the sun, then accents of red and white, and silver DA cables, I think it came out nice.
Ultegra 10 sp kit, Brooks saddle, and Easton velomax wheelset. I CANT WAIT to take her for a spin. My $20 garage sale find is definitely not that anymore. (Dont tell the Mrs.) It feels soooo much smoother than my Felt....not sure how much of that is the full ultegra or the better wheelset, or that it is mated to a Columbus steel frame (only Tenax). But, overall, I am very happy and the bug has bit me. Up next is a motobecane to become my commuter.
Well, it may be overkill / lipstick on a pig as you all call it, but I'm pleased.
Ran outside this am before the rain to get a garage door shot. With an overcast day, the pictures dont do justice for the paint. My aim was the blue on the helmets of the Giants....not because I'm any fan of them...just because I think that blue looks sharp in the sun, then accents of red and white, and silver DA cables, I think it came out nice.
Ultegra 10 sp kit, Brooks saddle, and Easton velomax wheelset. I CANT WAIT to take her for a spin. My $20 garage sale find is definitely not that anymore. (Dont tell the Mrs.) It feels soooo much smoother than my Felt....not sure how much of that is the full ultegra or the better wheelset, or that it is mated to a Columbus steel frame (only Tenax). But, overall, I am very happy and the bug has bit me. Up next is a motobecane to become my commuter.
Well, it may be overkill / lipstick on a pig as you all call it, but I'm pleased.
02-28-09, 08:28 PM
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No -- I committed myself to keeping the lugs polished by hand. So -- even the crown fork and two on the head tube may be more work than I think. But I think as long as I dont let it sit too long without being re-buffed, it should be ok. (I hope).
02-28-09, 08:31 PM
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Thanks! He did a great job. It was his first bike (had done motorcycles before), and we only have one run on it. I did learn that I dont think there is much money to be made in painting bikes. We werent moving "fast," he took his time. I think he had a good 1.25 hrs of labor in painting it. Plus facilities use, paint cost (he had leftovers from another project....another reason I got blue -- so that was a freebie 
) -- I just dont see how you can get a good bike paint job for under 150 or so....
I owe him more beer.
) -- I just dont see how you can get a good bike paint job for under 150 or so....I owe him more beer.
02-28-09, 08:41 PM
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Nice. I loved the way my Prelude rode, and yours looks a whole lot better than mine ever did!
03-01-09, 01:06 AM
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Hmm.
The upgrades are nice, but I'm not sure I'm a fan of the paint. The original decals looked really sharp.
The upgrades are nice, but I'm not sure I'm a fan of the paint. The original decals looked really sharp.
03-01-09, 02:31 AM
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My compliments to your brother-in-law and your final results. Excellent job. Gives me inspiration for my Prelude restoration.
03-01-09, 04:12 AM
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That's a really gorgeous paint job. You're lucky to have a brother in law that nice. Not to rain on your parade but. Your brother in law should use a respirator. Having just watched my father die from COPD, lung diseases are a painful way to go. Painting without a mask is 10 times worse than smoking.
03-01-09, 06:19 AM
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03-01-09, 06:24 AM
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That's a really gorgeous paint job. You're lucky to have a brother in law that nice. Not to rain on your parade but. Your brother in law should use a respirator. Having just watched my father die from COPD, lung diseases are a painful way to go. Painting without a mask is 10 times worse than smoking.
But with sealer and blue, he was using water-based paint with the downdraft blowers. There was zero odor in the booth. I believe that the waterbased is going to be the new norm for painters?
03-01-09, 06:48 AM
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Thanks! He did a great job. It was his first bike (had done motorcycles before), and we only have one run on it. I did learn that I dont think there is much money to be made in painting bikes. We werent moving "fast," he took his time. I think he had a good 1.25 hrs of labor in painting it. Plus facilities use, paint cost (he had leftovers from another project....another reason I got blue -- so that was a freebie ) -- I just dont see how you can get a good bike paint job for under 150 or so....
I owe him more beer.
) -- I just dont see how you can get a good bike paint job for under 150 or so....I owe him more beer.
Sure beats the brother-in-law I got in the deal! 
03-01-09, 09:28 AM
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No lipstick on a pig here. Thats a pretty nice job. I love that color of blue too, and the Ultegra 10-speed componentry. The Columbus 'Tenax' gives it that cool 'Italian' flare, and is some good stuff. The polished head lugs is a nice touch too. Really need to put some nice decals on it though, as that would 'complete' the bike.
I dont really like those wheels on that bike, or the tires. The wheels belong on a carbon or aluminum bike. It just doesnt seem to do that Columbus frame any justice in my opinion (Sorry). Open pros or cxp-33's with all black tires wouldve been better. The bike needs to be less "busy" on the lower end, like in the wheels. Your wheels are really nice though, just not on that bike. Black 'Open Pros' with silver eyelets and stainless spokes would look "killer" on that bike. It would give it the "bling" it needs on the lower end without all that "graphic" stuff on the rims.
Still, this is just my opinion, but you done a beautiful job bringing that classic Schwinn (with the 'ohh so sexy' Columbus frame) back to life.
I love it!
I dont really like those wheels on that bike, or the tires. The wheels belong on a carbon or aluminum bike. It just doesnt seem to do that Columbus frame any justice in my opinion (Sorry). Open pros or cxp-33's with all black tires wouldve been better. The bike needs to be less "busy" on the lower end, like in the wheels. Your wheels are really nice though, just not on that bike. Black 'Open Pros' with silver eyelets and stainless spokes would look "killer" on that bike. It would give it the "bling" it needs on the lower end without all that "graphic" stuff on the rims.
Still, this is just my opinion, but you done a beautiful job bringing that classic Schwinn (with the 'ohh so sexy' Columbus frame) back to life.
I love it!
Last edited by Wino Ryder; 03-01-09 at 09:47 AM. Reason: re-evaluated after looking at the pictures again
