After thinking about it for a couple of days, i decided to keep one of my old Schwinns around for a while. Originally i planed on selling both the Varsity and the Sierra, but i believe they are to big of a part of cycling history to off them both. On the other hand, i want to make them a bit more of a pleasure to ride, so i was thinking about putting them on a diet as Pastorbob had suggested in a previous post. I already have alloy wheels, and i plan on trying to find a different, triple crankset that should be lighter than that big one piece that came with the bikes. I also plan on changing the bars out and the brake levers to singles rather than suicides, i dont think that will shave much weight but it will make the bike a bit more comfortable to ride. Are there any other suggestions to cut weight on this bike? The only other think i can think of would be an alloy stem, if that is much lighter than the standard steel one.
Any advice would be much appreciated.
Brew

Brew,

How much do you want to spend? The BB converter and cartridge BB will cost you at least $50. Probably a decent crankset could be found on ebay for $40 or less. The other bits you don't have will add more, depending on weather you could trade or not.

You are on the right path. The biggest weight savings come by replacing the one piece crank, removing the kickstand, and using alloy derailleurs, rims, bars, stem, etc. I would convert the Sierra, because the flat bladed fork on the Varsity is heavier than the chrome one on the Sierra, but it is a more unique bike.

Best of luck on your effort. It is a fun adventure which is both enjoyable and frustrating at the same time.

Aluminum seatpost could probably drop a good amount of weight for a reasonable price. On the other hand you could go and buy a NOS Campagnolo Titanium freewheel for it.

Jon, If only there were such an animal, an alloy seatpost that is, in Schwinn's wonderful 13/16 inch standard size on an EF frame.

Rev, has anyone ever tried chucking a 25mm seatpost in a lathe and turning it down to fit?
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Not enough metal. 13/16 ends up being 20.6mm. To say nothing of how bendable it would be. Roger

About the only thought I've had is to take a piece of aluminum round bar and turn it down to 13/16 and then possibly bore it out, but such an endeavor is way beyond anything I can attempt in my shop. It would be something I did with a piece of gas pipe to have a better post for a Brooks B-72 on a Collegiate.

Yeah, I had that up my sleeve as plan 'B'. Let me see what I can find for Al barstock. The rest will be easy.
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I found a micro adjusting seat post that the old 13/16 schwinn seat post will fit right inside so I'm going to cut the new one off and leave enough to insert the old schwinn piece and then maybe do the Rev. Bob epoxy trick or I might just slit saw the new post and clamp it with a seat post clamp. Heck I might even turn one the lathe and do a press fit into the new one. So many ways but I want it to look sanitary. Its possible to set it up in a milling machine find the center of the tube and drill and ream them for a press fit dowel pin

Boy! You know what your doing! You must be an engineer type! I'm just a pastor with a lot of crazy ideas that don't work half the time. If you make one on a lathe, be prepared to take orders. I'm certain I'd buy a dozen and I imagine you could sell a 100 more.

I'll post the pics when I get it figured out. I'm a tool and die maker so I know just enough to get myself into trouble but I can usually figure my way out. It comes with fixing stuff that was never meant to get broken. Heavy form dies weighing thousands of lbs and the like. I'm always amazed how when you make something idiot proof along comes a better idiot. Having access to a lathe and milling machine makes some of my challenges a little easier to fix. I straightened out that bent fork by clamping it to a radial drill press table (which ain't going nowhere) then using a solid piece of steel rod inside the fork tube and 4 foot dection of pipe that fit over the outside and giving it a little tug, straightened it right up.

hey everyone, thanks for the advice guys. im going to start looking into what i need, and try to find some good deals on stuff. this is going to be another long project but i will make the bike ridable in the mean time and just work on it as i go.
I think im going to convert the Sierra, i agree, the fork is lighter, the brakes look like they are better and it is a unique bike. Im not real fond of the color, but i suppose i could live with it because different is cool in my world.

Brew get it powder coated its cheaper than a new paint job

I thought about powder coating it because my friend can do it pretty cheap for me, but i almost hate to do it. the paint isnt in bad shape really and from what i gather it is kind of rare. to be honest though, i have hardly looked at this bike, the giant i picked up at the same time had my attention, so when i pick it up from my parents house tomorrow i will get a better idea of what i want to do.

brew,

Have you seen the catalogue page from Bob Hufford's SLDB site? If I read it correctly, only the Women's version of the '77 Sierra was supposed to come in Flamingo. Your Men's version should have only been Blue, Red or Black.
https://www.geocities.com/sldbconsume.../77ccpg16.html
Also take a look here (if you haven't).
https://www.geocities.com/sldatabook/...7579.html#1977
There's a little decrepancy between the two. But my guess is you won't find many in your color and with decals in such great shape.

very odd indeed. according to the book neither the mens or womens sierra came in flamingo, witch i am assuming that is what this color is. Were the books not always correct back then? or could they have repainted this bike after it was bought. I know the owner wanted a purple bike when she got this from talking to the original owners son. I will have to do some more research after work on this thing, i didint realize it was going to be such an oddball.