Show us your Fillet Brazed Schwinn Superior and Sport Tourer
02-18-14, 02:02 PM
#26
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02-18-14, 02:35 PM
#28
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Its a bit of an oddball. I've only ever had this one and have seen maybe 2 other examples on the internet. It is marked "Schwinn Forged" and maybe Metacortex can shed some light on it. It was not original to the bike, but I'm assuming was made by Schwinn in Chicago. This is the only example I know of them making an aluminum stem.
That stem replaced the "girder design" Schwinn stem (also made by GB) that was used from '73 through '78 on larger framed bikes. In '80 and later all of the GB stems were replaced by SR (made and branded) stems.
There's a varation on this stem which came on the larger framed Sports Tourers and Continentals. It is actually what I have on Sporty now, since the original was too short in reach for me. It has a flattened/ridge top extending from the fork to the handlebars.
Last edited by Metacortex; 03-17-14 at 01:41 PM.
02-18-14, 03:04 PM
#29
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Every time I see one of these threads about nice old Schwinns, either the lugged or fillet ones, I go take a look at Craigslist. I can usually find one or two examples but they are either oddballs or thrashed or museum pieces.
02-18-14, 04:06 PM
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I believe that "Schwinn Forged" stem was made by GB and was used only in '79 and only on the 24"-26" Men's and 22" Ladies' Continentals. There is one currently for sale on eBay: https://www.ebay.com/itm/151233317990
Mine has a hex nut head on the top of the binding bolt. The ebay one has a recessed Allen wrench head. Small difference. I believe mine was missing the bar binding bolt, so what you see is something stainless I picked up at ACE.
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02-18-14, 04:39 PM
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I sure wanted to take the Superior all the way back to where it should be but that is as far as the owner of the Superior wanted to go. I was a little sad that they just put it up for sale but o'well someone will get a nice bike and can finish it.
02-18-14, 04:55 PM
#32
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Last edited by Metacortex; 03-17-14 at 01:43 PM.
02-18-14, 05:05 PM
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I picked up a '77 Superior in need of a wheelset last year on CL. Rode it as a single speed for a bit. Ended up selling it. I found it to be a lot heavier that I had expected.
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02-18-14, 05:13 PM
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You bought that beat up Continental from me in Waukesha.
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Commence to jigglin’ huh?!?!
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Commence to jigglin’ huh?!?!
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02-18-14, 05:17 PM
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02-18-14, 05:22 PM
#36
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I've enjoyed your blog.
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Commence to jigglin’ huh?!?!
"But hey, always love to hear from opinionated amateurs." -says some guy to Mr. Marshall.
Commence to jigglin’ huh?!?!
"But hey, always love to hear from opinionated amateurs." -says some guy to Mr. Marshall.
02-18-14, 06:47 PM
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I really don't understand the attraction to these overweight frames, but there's a lot I don't understand.
02-18-14, 06:57 PM
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It is sort of like the way a U08 rides better than it should.
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1973 Schwinn Super Sport
1986 Schwinn Peloton
1976 Raleigh Super Course Mk II(for wife)
1983 Gitane Super Corsa
1991 Trek 750 Multitrack
1973 Schwinn Super Sport
1986 Schwinn Peloton
1976 Raleigh Super Course Mk II(for wife)
1983 Gitane Super Corsa
1991 Trek 750 Multitrack
02-18-14, 07:09 PM
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I know from personal experience that a person with with little or no experience with a torch can pile on ugly blobs of brass and then file and sand it to blend perfectly. I'm not impressed by fillet brazed frames.
Cadillac ride? No thanks.
Cadillac ride? No thanks.
02-18-14, 08:00 PM
#42
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GB, Have you ridden a fillet brazed Schwinn very far? I have put thousands of miles on mine and it has a wonderful ride. It is responsive and smooth. Mine(73 Super Sport)currently weighs about 27.5 lbs but most of the miles were ridden at the stock weight. A lot of forum members who also have very lightweight bicycles love them and their riding qualities.
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1973 Schwinn Super Sport
1986 Schwinn Peloton
1976 Raleigh Super Course Mk II(for wife)
1983 Gitane Super Corsa
1991 Trek 750 Multitrack
1973 Schwinn Super Sport
1986 Schwinn Peloton
1976 Raleigh Super Course Mk II(for wife)
1983 Gitane Super Corsa
1991 Trek 750 Multitrack
02-18-14, 08:22 PM
#43
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There's a beauty and elegance in the Schwinn fillet brazed frames that make them uniquely part of the American bicycle history. Of course some people don't appreciate this history, nor the fact Schwinn had perfected this technique and offered a lifetime warranty on their frames. To do so, they had to be confident and have a proven record of offering a quality product.
Yes, some of the fillets are gloppy and not so pretty, but if you like this sort of frame building, you don't mind.
Instead you appreciate the history and legacy that extends all the way from the beginning of Schwinn until 1978.
There is something beautiful about the smooth sweeping transitions between the tubes.
The final fillet brazed generation of 10 & 15 speed road bikes, made between 1962-78, are also a very versatile base for creative projects.
More power to those who want to keep these beauties alive and well for coming generations.
Yes, some of the fillets are gloppy and not so pretty, but if you like this sort of frame building, you don't mind.
Instead you appreciate the history and legacy that extends all the way from the beginning of Schwinn until 1978.
There is something beautiful about the smooth sweeping transitions between the tubes.
The final fillet brazed generation of 10 & 15 speed road bikes, made between 1962-78, are also a very versatile base for creative projects.
More power to those who want to keep these beauties alive and well for coming generations.
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Bob
Enjoying the GA coast all year long!
Thanks for visiting my website: www.freewheelspa.com
Bob
Enjoying the GA coast all year long!
Thanks for visiting my website: www.freewheelspa.com
02-18-14, 08:44 PM
#45
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Soooooo.... you were holdin' OUT on me! 
Sweet SS.
Hope to have a project or two to share here in the spring.
It's possible you may be a bit familiar with one of them.
Sweet SS.Hope to have a project or two to share here in the spring.
It's possible you may be a bit familiar with one of them.
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02-18-14, 08:55 PM
#47
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The above and below fillet brazed is a Superior from about the late 1930s or '40s. I swiped the pictures from an ebay listing over 8 years ago and it became the inspiration for the box stripes on Sporty. Very classy, isn't it! 
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Enjoying the GA coast all year long!
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Enjoying the GA coast all year long!
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Last edited by pastorbobnlnh; 02-18-14 at 09:04 PM.
02-18-14, 09:06 PM
#48
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Right on Pastorbob!
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1973 Schwinn Super Sport
1986 Schwinn Peloton
1976 Raleigh Super Course Mk II(for wife)
1983 Gitane Super Corsa
1991 Trek 750 Multitrack
1973 Schwinn Super Sport
1986 Schwinn Peloton
1976 Raleigh Super Course Mk II(for wife)
1983 Gitane Super Corsa
1991 Trek 750 Multitrack
02-18-14, 09:14 PM
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Superior on CL, y'all. https://minneapolis.craigslist.org/an...304165347.html
Its too small for me or it would be long gone.
I have a Sports Tourer from 73 that is nearly road-ready. Replacing some rear spokes right now from a failed derailer replacement attempt. Finally found a Le Tour at the local swap meet. Perfect condition and only $10.00. So even though its not quite correct (mine originally had a Campy Gran Tourismo, which does indeed shift rather less well than a leatherman
) I should finally be getting it going.
Mine has no kickstand; appears to have been removed and other than touch up, you can't tell where it was. Any problems riding it this way- would there be a problem with the stays? They look pretty stout....
Its too small for me or it would be long gone.
I have a Sports Tourer from 73 that is nearly road-ready. Replacing some rear spokes right now from a failed derailer replacement attempt. Finally found a Le Tour at the local swap meet. Perfect condition and only $10.00. So even though its not quite correct (mine originally had a Campy Gran Tourismo, which does indeed shift rather less well than a leatherman
) I should finally be getting it going. Mine has no kickstand; appears to have been removed and other than touch up, you can't tell where it was. Any problems riding it this way- would there be a problem with the stays? They look pretty stout....
02-18-14, 09:30 PM
#50
Senior Member
Superior on CL, y'all. https://minneapolis.craigslist.org/an...304165347.html
Its too small for me or it would be long gone.
Its too small for me or it would be long gone.
I have a Sports Tourer from 73 that is nearly road-ready... ...mine originally had a Campy Gran Tourismo, which does indeed shift rather less well than a leatherman...
Mine has no kickstand; appears to have been removed and other than touch up, you can't tell where it was. Any problems riding it this way- would there be a problem with the stays? They look pretty stout....
