For the past few months I've been in need of a junker to leave parked at the train station and bars. I found a Shwinn frame and fork in the garbage. I got all the other parts from the junk heap/ free cycle. The only money I've put into it so far is new cables/housing/brake pads. 13$ all up. I know it's not pretty but I'm pretty happy with myself. My mechanical skills are pretty weak and I'm usually the kind of person to run out and buy something new whenever I need something. It felt kind of nice to give new life to an old bike. I still need to add fenders and a decent seat. Otherwise I'm done.

The only fly in the ointment is the brakes. I'm having a hell of a time getting the brakes to sit nice and close to the rims. Is there any recourses online that can give me a better idea of how to get those break dialed in nice?

Also can you guess take a guess at how old the frame might be?

Thanks


By domromer


By domromer


By domromer

This is a great web site for repairs. Check out this link for instructions on servicing cantilever brake systems (which you have on your Schwinn):

https://www.parktool.com/repair/readhowto.asp?id=19

Good luck

Dante

There are probably a series of little holes (three is what I've seen) that the spring end could fit into. If you can't get the arms close, try changing the position on both sides to another of the holes.

The bike was made in a year that ends with 8. My guess is 1988.

Just the right type of bike for the job you have in mind. How do you find the seat height? The seat height looks to be set for a quite short person.

Once you get the brakes sorted out you can cut the excess cable off leaving a couple of inches only. This can be done easily with a pair of side cutters. A local bike shop could put a ferrel over the cable end to clean it up and stop it freying.

I would say that it's an 80's frame also.

Gary.

Definitely an 88, rack mounts didn't start appearing until the mid 80's, and usually didn't come on lower models either. That could be a True Temper frame. Either way a perfect incognito bike, heck I'd even remove the Schwinn badge.,,,,BD

The seat is actually a little high. The frame is quite big. I'm 6ft and with that seat height I'm on my tiptoes.

Canti brakes are usually easy to set, but sometimes are a pain. When they are a pain, I find it helps to clamp (or third hand, if you have one) the pads against the rims, and then pull the cable tight, and then tighten the bolt. Its easier to do if you are not fighting the springs in the canti arms at the same time you are tightening. Barrel adjusters are very helpful to dial them in also.

I think you did a great job finding the bike and getting it running. I also consider myself to be not overly mechanical, but bikes are so simple that they are very satisfying to work on. There are not many problems that I can't solve just by thinking through.

jim

Hi Dromromer,

Looks can be deceiving, It looks much smaller.

Best of Luck,

Gary.