I am fixing up some old bikes that have been in my parent's barn for 30 + years and have a few questions. I have never posted in the Vintage forum, so be gentle if I am asking questions that have been asked many times before.......

My Father has an old Huffy 3-speed cruiser from the early 1970's and my Mother has a late 60's single speed Sears cruiser. I am assuming that the Sears bike was made by Schwinn, or another company. My folks are in there mid 50's and looking to start riding again for fitness. Both bikes have the usual rusted chrome, cracked tires, rusty cables, so I am looking to fix them up so they can be usable again.

The Huffy probably needs less work. The old caliper brakes need lubed and pads replaced, and probably new cables. The old 3 speed internal Hub seems too work fine, I will probably squirt some oil in it, and maybe replace cables. Otherwise the bike needs new tires and tubes, otherwise I will try to clean it up, and maybe use some fine steel wool and oil on the chromed parts. Probably new bar grips and a new seat. Anything else that I am missing? Can I use 26 x 1.25" tubes on these rims? I realize that the old 26" rims are actually closer to 27", so I found the correct Kenda K35 tires.

The Sears cruiser is a single speed with a coaster brake. I am concerned with safety with the coaster brake, although my Mom will not go too fast. I also would like to add a 3 speed gearing system, so I thought about finding an old wheel with a 3-speed wheel to upgrade it. I think I can retrofit caliper brakes. Am I better off ditching it and finding an old 3 speed cruiser on Craigslist to fix up for her? Anyone have thoughts?