mswantak

Got a '77 Schwinn Deluxe Twinn 5-speed tandem for free from a friend of a friend. So far I think I may have overpaid. When I got it into running condition, whenever I tried to shift into first or second, it would spit the chain off the large sprocket on the rear crank; the chainline was just too severe. Eventually I discovered a spacer between the sprockets on the rear crank that apparently belonged on the outside of the large sprocket. Once I moved it, I could get second, but first is still guaranteed disaster. Dunno how else to adjust things to get a better chainline.

And the shifting -- good God! I can't imagine it was ever any good. The cable is six feet long, and connected to a Huret derailleur. You move the lever and a couple seconds later the derailleur moves. May as well use a naval annunciator.

ollo_ollo

Dad had one for a while back in the 80s but it had a SA 3 speed hub(not sure this was original equip). He cleaned it up & relubed everything until it rode OK, but it was such a rust bucket that it was beyond rescue. He eventually dumped it for $35 in a garage sale.

likeclover

I have a green all original '69 (I think), but it has the two speed kick back hub. It's a daily rider for my son and I and gets tremendous attention wherever we go. What a tank!
Tim

mswantak

No kidding; it must weigh 60 lbs. or so. Just about kills me getting it up the stairs to my apartment. This one sat beside a garage for God knows how many years and got sprinkled along with the lawn. There are spots on the rims, stem, and bars where the chrome is completely gone, and the paint is beginning to blister here and there. It could be made cosmetically right, but at a prohibitive cost. I'm thinking since it rides okay I should just put it up on CL for $100 as either a good starter tandem (it was quite successful in teaching me I didn't want one ) or a Burning Man stretch limo.

cudak888 

Did you check to see which way the chainrings teeth were dished when you re-installed the rear crank?

Have you checked the frame to see that it's straight?

As for the RD, you shoud know - dump the Alvit/GT150/GT500, put some cheap Shimano or Suntour on.

P.S.: I've heard complaints about these 5-speed machines, but have yet to hear complaints about chains falling off their chainrings.

-Kurt

mswantak

Chainrings are dished away from each other. I suppose I could put a spacer under the freewheel to bring first gear outboard 1/8" or so.

Hadn't thought to check the frame. Guess I'll go do that now.

Along with swapping derailleurs, I guess it wouldn't hurt to use a heavier cable -- like a brake cable -- and get some uncompressable cable housing. Then the shifting might only be bad instead of glacial.

UPDATE: I swapped out the Huret RD for a Suntour GT, and put on a different chain. Lo and behold -- now it's hitting all five cogs without tossing the chain. Still have to row the shift lever like an old 'three on the tree' Chevy, but it's an improvement.

mswantak

I spoke too soon. It hit all five gears once, then started spitting the chain again. I eventually realized what the trouble was; I was using 1/2 X 11/32 chain on the rear, and it needed 1/2 X 3/8.

skyrider

Ive have a 67 twinn ,simplex 5 speed this thing weighs about 100lbs. The kids in the neiborhood ride it all over the place they love it.

likeclover

I saw a couple on a 5 speed Twinn pulling a trail a bike yesterday. They said it was down to a single speed. They were either smiling or completely glazed over.