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1987 Schwinn High Sierra: The Beast in the East!

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1987 Schwinn High Sierra: The Beast in the East!

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Old 02-16-11 | 07:58 PM
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Bikes: I hate bikes!

1987 Schwinn High Sierra: The Beast in the East!

The thread title is apt since I live in S.E. Pa and the bike, truly, is a beast! I picked up this bike from CL for $60. All in all it was in nice shape and just needed a complete tear down and rebuild w/ new cables, pads, tires, grease etc.

I had most everything except for the Planet bike fenders, bar tape,tires and front rack. I tried 3 different Blackburn racks (2 front & 1 rear) none of which would fit without interfering with the front brake cable. The rack that is on it is a Pletscher I got from Rivendell for $32. A couple of bends with 2 sets of Channel Lock pliers on the mounting strut and the rack mounted easily.

The bike is very comfortable and I was surprised at how well it handled at low speeds and how well it handles with weight in the front. I guess it is the slack angles and low trail(?) Anyway I put a gallon jug of concrete bonding agent and small container of ready mix concrete in the front basket to test it. I would guess it was around 12lbs and the bike handled fine.

I included a couple of shots of the bike with all of the bags I have() and it will hold them all. I took my 4 yr old daughter out for a ride on her trail-a-bike today and the frame did not flex a bit, even when she stood up and yelled "Yeah Baby!!!" going down a hill. Should be a fun ride with her and also for doing errands. Enjoy!

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Last edited by fender1; 02-16-11 at 08:05 PM.
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Old 02-16-11 | 08:06 PM
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Bikes: 86 Katakura Silk, 87 Prologue X2, 88 Cimarron LE, 1975 Sekai 4000 Professional, 73 Paramount, plus more

Love how you set this one up!! I need to do this to my Univega.
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Old 02-16-11 | 08:09 PM
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super nice! damn clean too. looks almost new in some shots.
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Old 02-16-11 | 08:27 PM
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Bikes: 2 motos and a schwinn (road bikes more or less)

Beautiful bike, Nice Job and great pics!!

andy
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Old 02-16-11 | 08:31 PM
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Nice looking. Everything integrates very well.
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Old 02-16-11 | 08:31 PM
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That right there is a pretty serious machine.
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Old 02-16-11 | 09:52 PM
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Killer build. Great inspiration seeing as I've got one in the works.
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Old 02-16-11 | 10:43 PM
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Excellent work, fender1. The frame looks to be in great shape.
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Old 02-16-11 | 10:55 PM
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well done.
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Old 02-16-11 | 11:01 PM
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I missed out on one of these at a garage sale for $20. Same color too, with brand new tires and a recent tune-up.
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Old 02-16-11 | 11:51 PM
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Bikes: 1968 Falcon San Remo 1973 Raleigh International, 1974 Schwinn Suburban, 1987 Schwinn High Sierra, 1992 Univega Ultraleggera, 2007 Dahon Vitesse DH7G

I have one that I ride pretty regularly - i love it. Your frame does look almost new, esp for $60.
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Old 02-17-11 | 12:31 AM
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NICE, here's my 88 High Sierra, scored recently from CL for $60 as well.

https://www.dropbox.com/gallery/10525...ierra?h=315a42
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Old 02-17-11 | 02:56 AM
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Here's mine, almost done. Its going to be my serious touring bike. Traded a Sekai that didn't fit for it.
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Old 02-17-11 | 08:11 AM
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Bikes: Schwinn Paramount P15, Fisher Montare, Proteus, Rivendell Quickbeam

You will love this bike. Early MTB's make great utility bikes.

One cool feature of this year of High Sierra's is the lugged unicrown fork.

My High Sierra that I got last year has become my favorite workhorse. I tried the mustache bars for a while, but finally settled on some NOS Nitto Bullmoose bars and I love it even more.



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Old 02-17-11 | 08:32 PM
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Bikes: I hate bikes!

Hey all, thanks for the compliments. After doing some more riding on it I think:

1. I will need a new seat post. This one is at its max on the upward tilt and the nose pointing down makes me feel like I am sliding forward a bit.

2. I think I may need one of these https://store.velo-orange.com/index.p...tabilizer.html as the front end tends to flop to one side when parked.

3. Maybe some nicer tires. I have set of 26" Conti Town & Country's on a tandem and they are a much nicer ride than they $7 Kenda specials from Amazon that are on it right now. They look period correct but feel as if they are rolling from side to side sometimes. Like the side walls are weak or something.

4. A Pump for this:
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Anyone got and leads on an old style frame pump that is not expensive?
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Old 02-17-11 | 08:35 PM
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i have 3 or 4 pumps, some of which might work... If not Alan's near me has a box full and they're cheap.

that bike looks great. It looks like a mule. I'd like to check it out sometime. The bags also. I almost bought that front one you had in the rack in one of the pics.
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Old 02-17-11 | 08:53 PM
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Bikes: I hate bikes!

[QUOTE=-holiday76;12242800]i have 3 or 4 pumps, some of which might work... If not Alan's near me has a box full and they're cheap.

that bike looks great. It looks like a mule. I'd like to check it out sometime. The bags also. I almost bought that front one you had in the rack in one of the pics.[/QUOTE

I am around all weekend so let me know if you want to come by. I was thinking of doing a ride on Sunday..... As for the bag, it is the large Sackville bag from Rivendell. It is by far the most useful bag I have. It was the cause of "bag envy" when my sister-in-law and mother-in-law were eyeing it on a family vacation to the beach last summer. Tougher than snot and holds a ton. Makes a great diaper bag.........
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Old 02-17-11 | 09:03 PM
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Bikes: 1978 Trek TX700; 1978/79 Trek 736; 1984 Specialized Stumpjumper Sport; 1984 Schwinn Voyageur SP; 1985 Trek 620; 1985 Trek 720; 1986 Trek 400 Elance; 1987 Schwinn High Sierra; 1990 Miyata 1000LT

Black Chrome is the awesome

I'm thinking of a B-67 for mine. You've pretty much made up my mind on that.






Also have to look out for some gold bottle cages...

I always feel like I'm sliding forward on the saddle- I assume it's because of the saddle...

Right now I'm rolling with 1.75 Panaracer Pasellas.
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Last edited by The Golden Boy; 02-17-11 at 09:06 PM.
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