1973 Schwinn LeTour - parts available?
12-13-06, 07:38 PM
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1973 Schwinn LeTour - parts available?
Greetings All,
I have one bike, since new, 1973 Schwinn Le Tour. (bought on the spur of the moment, when the bike first debuted)
I am pretty much strictly a commuter for about the last 18 months.
?#1 The bike is "Schwinn Approved" from Japan. Read somewhere else that this bike was manufactured by Fuji. True/False?
The "big" chain ring is worn, not worn out, yet. My LBS tells me they cannot find a replacement for it.
?#2a Does anyone know where I could find a replacement for the chainring?
?#2b Price?
?#2c Future availability?
?#3 Is this a "classic" bike, or just an old bike?
As much as I would like a new high-tech road bike, I have no budget for one for the forseeable future, so I am highly motivated to keep this bike in good repair and I am cheap! Also, as I have been riding the bike more (~4500 commute miles last year) I find I am becoming attached to it all over again.
TIA,
Jeff, still a fat biker
I have one bike, since new, 1973 Schwinn Le Tour. (bought on the spur of the moment, when the bike first debuted)
I am pretty much strictly a commuter for about the last 18 months.
?#1 The bike is "Schwinn Approved" from Japan. Read somewhere else that this bike was manufactured by Fuji. True/False?
The "big" chain ring is worn, not worn out, yet. My LBS tells me they cannot find a replacement for it.
?#2a Does anyone know where I could find a replacement for the chainring?
?#2b Price?
?#2c Future availability?
?#3 Is this a "classic" bike, or just an old bike?
As much as I would like a new high-tech road bike, I have no budget for one for the forseeable future, so I am highly motivated to keep this bike in good repair and I am cheap! Also, as I have been riding the bike more (~4500 commute miles last year) I find I am becoming attached to it all over again.
TIA,
Jeff, still a fat biker
12-13-06, 07:44 PM
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Originally Posted by fat biker
The "big" chain ring is worn, not worn out, yet. My LBS tells me they cannot find a replacement for it.
You need to find out what the BCD is, and go from there. Check out this link to figure it out:
https://www.sheldonbrown.com/gloss_bo-z.html
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12-13-06, 07:46 PM
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I think it's more likely the bike was made in Japan by Panasonic than Fuji. As for a replacement chainring, you'll need to determine the Bolt Cirlce Diameter (BCD) to determine what will work. Here's a link to Harris Cyclery that has a nice chart showing different bolt circle diameters and the distance the bolts are from center to center for the various sizes. https://sheldonbrown.com/harris/chainrings.html Once that's determined, you can see what's availiable, how much they cost, etc. Good luck-
12-13-06, 07:50 PM
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GREAT!
Thanks for the speedy replies guys.
So I figure out what the size is, then what, where do I look for a part to buy?
Thanks more,
Jeff, still fat
Thanks for the speedy replies guys.
So I figure out what the size is, then what, where do I look for a part to buy?
Thanks more,
Jeff, still fat
12-13-06, 07:53 PM
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Originally Posted by fat biker
GREAT!
Thanks for the speedy replies guys.
So I figure out what the size is, then what, where do I look for a part to buy?
Thanks for the speedy replies guys.
So I figure out what the size is, then what, where do I look for a part to buy?
https://sheldonbrown.com/harris/chainrings.html
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"Love is not the dying moan of a distant violin, it’s the triumphant twang of a bedspring."
S. J. Perelman
"Love is not the dying moan of a distant violin, it’s the triumphant twang of a bedspring."
S. J. Perelman
12-13-06, 07:55 PM
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Originally Posted by fat biker
GREAT!
Thanks for the speedy replies guys.
So I figure out what the size is, then what, where do I look for a part to buy?
Thanks more,
Jeff, still fat
Thanks for the speedy replies guys.
So I figure out what the size is, then what, where do I look for a part to buy?
Thanks more,
Jeff, still fat
Aaron
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Webshots is bailing out, if you find any of my posts with corrupt picture files and want to see them corrected please let me know. :(
ISO: A late 1980's Giant Iguana MTB frameset (or complete bike) 23" Red with yellow graphics.
"Cycling should be a way of life, not a hobby.
RIDE, YOU FOOL, RIDE!"_Nicodemus
"Steel: nearly a thousand years of metallurgical development
Aluminum: barely a hundred
Which one would you rather have under your butt at 30mph?"_krazygluon
12-13-06, 09:03 PM
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Originally Posted by fat biker
Sorry, no pictures... cheesy digital camera.
Jeff
Jeff
1975 LeTour from Bob Hufford's site
12-13-06, 11:37 PM
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Originally Posted by bigbossman
Jeff, not sure what the BCD on that chainring is, but there should be replacements readily available. Heck, you can probably get a whole new vintage crankset for $20!! All you care about is that it is a square taper, and you should be good.
You need to find out what the BCD is, and go from there. Check out this link to figure it out:
https://www.sheldonbrown.com/gloss_bo-z.html
You need to find out what the BCD is, and go from there. Check out this link to figure it out:
https://www.sheldonbrown.com/gloss_bo-z.html
12-14-06, 09:12 AM
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Originally Posted by fat biker
I have one bike, since new, 1973 Schwinn Le Tour. ?#1 The bike is "Schwinn Approved" from Japan. Read somewhere else that this bike was manufactured by Fuji. True/False?
https://www.geocities.com/sldatabook/...tml#1973letour
https://www.geocities.com/sldatabook/...tml#1974letour
https://www.geocities.com/sldatabook/...3worldtraveler
https://www.geocities.com/sldatabook/...3worldvoyageur
https://www.yellowjersey.org/pana.html
Send pics!
Bob
12-14-06, 02:07 PM
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If that chain ring happens to be 118 BCD, Loosescrews has one on close-out sale:
https://www.loosescrews.com/index.cgi...id=96297638887
https://www.loosescrews.com/index.cgi...id=96297638887
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"Love is not the dying moan of a distant violin, it’s the triumphant twang of a bedspring."
S. J. Perelman
"Love is not the dying moan of a distant violin, it’s the triumphant twang of a bedspring."
S. J. Perelman
12-14-06, 02:39 PM
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I am with grolby. My 74 LeTour does not have a spider, the chainring is mounted directly on to the crank arm. The crank arms I have are cast alloy. The casting put "le Tour" onto the crank.
12-14-06, 02:58 PM
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Yes. Big ring is probably connected to the crank. Every lower-to-mid bike I've got, from 70 to 78, the big ring is connected to the crank- no spider.
If the BB could use replacing Kogswell cycles was selling a no-frills double crankset plus bb for $70 not too long ago. It's not on their site any more but they were selling up until about a month ago. They may still do it but just not advertise.
If the BB could use replacing Kogswell cycles was selling a no-frills double crankset plus bb for $70 not too long ago. It's not on their site any more but they were selling up until about a month ago. They may still do it but just not advertise.
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"Incompetent individuals, compared with their more competent peers, will dramatically overestimate their ability and performance relative to objective criteria."
12-14-06, 03:59 PM
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I happen to have a Le Tour crankset sitting at the moment. I'm not sure how "worn" your set is so I can't say that mine is any better, but I "might" be willing to part with it. I will also note that the non drive side was stripped a bit when I pulled the cranks last time. The threads are still useable, just not great.
