scorcher

Can a modern, standard road bike fork be installed in a old schwinn varsity frame?

sch

[QUOTE=scorcher]Can a modern, standard road bike fork be installed in a old schwinn varsity frame

The varsity has a threaded fork, and these are readily available. If you still have the old fork, just
measure the length of tube above the crown of the fork and that is the length you look for. There used to be a number of different threadings available, but Italian and French threaded forks will be fairly sparse in the US, not unavailable but sparse. English threading is what you want and is the default
threading. Steel or aluminum forks are what you get. Somebody probably makes a carbon threaded but
the price would be insane and I have never seen a reference.
If you want a threadless fork, (not advisable as it makes no sense) then a 1" threadless size is compatible
with the varsity. You will need a threadless headset ($) and a new stem ($) in addition to the fork. The bar diameters have drifted to larger sizes at the clamp over the years so you might even need a new bar. You would have more money in just the headset than the bike is worth. Threadless forks come with a fairly long tube, and this is cut to length before installing to fit the bike. Steve

vintagebicycle

You should note also that most Schwinn forks are threaded 26 t.p.i., vs the normal 24 t.p.i. as on most all other American built bikes.

If you intend to reuse your original headset, you will want to find a fork with the same threading. If your just looking to replace a damaged fork and aren't worried about keeping it original, just about any 1" threaded fork with a long enough steer tube can be made to work with a matching headset.

If your simply looking for a replacement for a bent fork, you should be able to find a good used or even a new old stock fork fairly easily. The local bike shop may even still have a few around. Not to mention that the original forged forks were made by Ashtabula, and who also made parts for other brands, as well as forged forks. A non Schwinn replacement fork though will almost definitely be 24 t.p.i. I may even have a few good used ones laying around in the garage.
You will need to know the steer tube length to match up another fork. Most universal replacement forks come "cut to fit" with an extended threaded area which is to allow it to be cut for use on even the smallest frame.

scorcher

thanks
thats what I needed to know

John E

If you change the fork, you may also have to change or shim the handlebar stem. The flat-bladed fork was one of the Varsity's worst features, right up there with the overweight steel rims. This is your big chance to upgrade to a tubular fork, as found on the every decent road bike, including the Continental.

If it were my Varsity, I would convert to ISO-standard handlebars, stem, headset, and fork, while upgrading to a tubular fork and aluminum bars and stem. Throw in aluminum rims, KoolStop pads, and modern high performance brake cable housing, and you will have a respectable commuting and general use road bike.