realestvin7

This was my grandfather's old bike. I know nothing about it, other than the fact that it is obviously a Schwinn and it currently has 26" wheels. I was curious what model you guys think it might be.

sailorbenjamin

Racer. '59-63.

realestvin7

I also believe these wheels are not original to the bike. They are not your typical "Shcwinn" stamped hoops and are standard 559mm diameter 26x1.75. Heavy duty spokes in the rear and standard spokes up front. Also, they have no braking surface, whatsoever. I like the way they look, though. The Bendix coaster brake is dated as a '70.

What are the braze-ons on the top tube? Provisions for a 3-speed setup?

PatTheSlat 

Either a Racer or a Speedster. Serial number on the left rear dropout will tell you the year. Definitely not original wheels, the originals would be Schwinn's 26 x 1-3/8 size (which is different from everyone else's 26 x 1-3/8 size). I'm guessing it was originally a 3 speed with caliper brakes, as the single speed Schwinns I've seen from that era don't have a hole through their forks for a brake caliper.

Howard

Could also be a Collegiate. I have a '64 Collegiate with those same fittings on the top tube. I think the pulley was used in some years to support a derailler. Check the dropout spacing. The collegiate five speed was in the mid 120's IIRC. A single or 3 speed would have been narrower.
Also check the serial number. Dom't be too surprised if the second digit is a number instead of a letter.

pastorbobnlnh 

I'm surprised there is no serial number on the left rear dropout. Is it on the headtube or under the BB shell?

The bracket looks to be for a 3 speed cable pulley. This, along with the chrome fenders and the chrome trim on the chainguard point to it being a pre '70s Traveler. The other clue is the "AS" on the seatpost clamp bolt. That places it in the early '60s, but--- no serial number on the drop out is confusing.

Here is the catalog page for a '61 Traveler and Racer.

Sierra

I think you have it Pastor!
The stainless steel fenders with the finned front are Traveler as well as the chrome trimmed chaingaurd.
I can't see the chainguard very well but it looks likes it has a smooth face. This would put it as a post '63 model('64-'66).
This all of course assumes that it's not a "Frankenbike" with a lot of parts switched around.

Howard

I still wouldn't rule out the possibility of it being a derailleur equipped Schwinn unless the dropouts are closer to 117mm than 124. - the "c11" on the right has the pulley mount and chrome fenders, and a derailleur.

(schwinncruisers.com image)

Sierra

Yes, it's possible that the frame came from a Racer or Collegiate but the chrome topped chainguard and the stainless steel fenders with the peaked front came from a Traveler. The '64 Collegiate pictured had painted fenders without a peaked front, and the '65 and later Collegiates had chrome plated fenders but again, without the peaked front.

rhenning

This is a picture of my 1962 Traveler which is basically what the bike in the pictures stated life as. Roger