1971 Super Sport ~ is this normal?
07-09-21, 09:40 AM
#26
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Thread Starter
I am looking around for a frame builder to look it over and realign the rear stays. I only paid $55 for it on Craigslist! The tires were squishy, the seat was wobbly and the grease/dirt combo was 3D. I never gave it a proper test ride, but it was worth taking a chance. The paint had one small chip on the bottom bracket, a minor scratch on the front fork and a few pin-prick marks from pebbles. I touched them up along with the wear marks beneath the front derailleur incase I decide to turn it into a 5 speed. Except for the fenders, the chrome is in beautiful condition. Seems too good to be true, which is why I was almost looking for a fatal flaw! I will post an update after a frame builder looks it over.
Before this bike, I had purchased a 1971 Schwinn Suburban. It looked like it had been cat-nip for a pride of lions!
Last edited by Me2gingko; 07-09-21 at 11:21 AM.
07-09-21, 09:54 AM
#27
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Thread Starter
Doug Fattic: Love the pic of your shop and the wood handled tools. I have a few of my own from my grandfather. He hung everything on his shop walls as well. He use to say, "a place for everything and everything in its place." A gentle soul that probably taught me more than I realize.
A few of Pop Pop's tools...
A few of Pop Pop's tools...
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07-09-21, 10:38 AM
#28
framebuilder
Where are you generally located? I know a lot of frame builders and I might know one in your area.
Those wood handed tools are metal files that I use to shape frame joints. They come in different cuts, sizes and shapes. It can take many hours of work to make a frame look really nice. The wood handles screw onto the tangs of the files. The wood blocks up in the NW corner hold the frame while I am working on it. To the left of the speaker and to the right of the Crescent wrench is one of my lug vises. That holds a lug while I shape it. I'm big into carving lugs into fancy (or not so fancy) shapes. My oxypropane torch for brazing is in the bottom center just above my fixture I have laser cut and etched in Ukraine. The torch handle is connected to 2 hoses, one to a BBQ propane tank and the other to an oxygen concentrator (those things that keep grandparents alive when their lungs go bad).
07-09-21, 11:23 AM
#29
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07-09-21, 12:48 PM
#30
Freewheel Medic
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You are not far from hazetguy who might be able to help find a frame builder or good shop which can assist.
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Enjoying the GA coast all year long!
Thanks for visiting my website: www.freewheelspa.com
07-10-21, 07:25 AM
#31
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Looking closely at the pics of your yellow frame, the braze job at the top tube to seat post doesn't look right to me. It looks a bit chunky or over done.
All of the Chicago Schwinn ladies frames I have here have nearly no visible fillet at that joint, one has a bit on the top and bottom, but its not finished looking.
Including a 1971 Suburban and a 72 Collegiate. Plus I've got a couple ladies Breeze models that are the same way.
I went out back and found a SS ladies frame in the shed, like yours, a 1971, it too has the big chunky fillet around that tube and a slight curve in the seat tube.
The SS frames were supposedly some grade of chromoly so its quite possible that the fillet brazing process did curve the thinner tubing.
All of the Chicago Schwinn ladies frames I have here have nearly no visible fillet at that joint, one has a bit on the top and bottom, but its not finished looking.
Including a 1971 Suburban and a 72 Collegiate. Plus I've got a couple ladies Breeze models that are the same way.
I went out back and found a SS ladies frame in the shed, like yours, a 1971, it too has the big chunky fillet around that tube and a slight curve in the seat tube.
The SS frames were supposedly some grade of chromoly so its quite possible that the fillet brazing process did curve the thinner tubing.
07-11-21, 08:51 AM
#32
framebuilder
I have a framebuilding class student that lives in Waynesville, NC. That can't be too far away from you. He bought a cast iron alignment table and post after he took my class. He has the knowledge and equipment to align your Super Sport. This is a hobby for him. His day job is laying carpet. Let me know if that is close enough to you and I will send you contact information.
I also have a very experienced student that went on to make many frames but I don't know if where he is, he still has all his framebuilding equipment. He is in the Asheville area someplace. If the 1st one doesn't work out I'll ask the 2nd one if he has equipment and if not who does in your area.
I also have a very experienced student that went on to make many frames but I don't know if where he is, he still has all his framebuilding equipment. He is in the Asheville area someplace. If the 1st one doesn't work out I'll ask the 2nd one if he has equipment and if not who does in your area.
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07-12-21, 07:26 AM
#33
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Thank you for these possibilities. Waynesville is around 45 minutes. Perhaps the work could be done while I wait ~ walk my dog ~ so I am not driving back & forth several times. I noticed a frame builder shop in Asheville called Tangent Cycles, owned by John... has plenty of experience although might not be taking in vintage bikes.
Last edited by Me2gingko; 07-12-21 at 08:59 AM.
07-12-21, 10:24 AM
#34
framebuilder
I'll try to contact my former student that I remember was able to find an alignment table after he took my frame building class. It is a good excuse to see how he is doing and if he is willing to help. It was probably more than 10 years ago he took my class so anything could have happened to him in the meantime. I remember having frequent phone conversations to get him set up properly but of course after awhile he didn't need my advice any more.
It is very likely the frame builder in Asheville will do the job for you. One might charge more than the other because for one it is an after work hours hobby and for the other he needs to earn a living wage.
And yes you should be able to wait on the hobbyist while he works on your frame. I doubt it would take him more than an hour. Typically when aligning a frame the bottom bracket shell has to be taped and faced but that isn't the case with your Super Sport. The pro may want you to drop it off so he can work on it whenever and not interrupt his work flow.
It is very likely the frame builder in Asheville will do the job for you. One might charge more than the other because for one it is an after work hours hobby and for the other he needs to earn a living wage.
And yes you should be able to wait on the hobbyist while he works on your frame. I doubt it would take him more than an hour. Typically when aligning a frame the bottom bracket shell has to be taped and faced but that isn't the case with your Super Sport. The pro may want you to drop it off so he can work on it whenever and not interrupt his work flow.
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