haha, yeah it is, because I'm only 5'11", and the bike is ungodly huge. I just built an old Nishiki up in my actual size. This is now going to my very tall father for his birthday.

I'm also 5'11" and I would never even try to ride that monster. Happy Birthday to your dad.

So am I, and I have a '72 in that size and color. I love riding it, even though I can't straddle the top tube. You gotta get on and off it like a Highwheeler and leean yourself over at a 45 degree angle at stop lights...or just grab on to a street sign

that IS the preferred method, yes!

OK, here's mine. I had to drive an hour for it and I only did so because the owner said it was *MINT*. Well ... it was NOT mint. She wanted $100. and I gave her $65.

Rode it to work today 13 miles in 45 minutes. I'd say it rates as a decent commuter! It needed the usual:

Drop Handlebars
Wheels (plus bearings & grease for the replacement wheels from another old bike on CL)
Cables & housings
Chain & derailer cleaning
Tires (spent more than I expected on Armadillos) but at 120 psi - they help me fly
Bottle cages
Racing saddle (not shown in picture)

that stem looks mighty long - you sure it's not out too far?

rumrunn6, thats a good lookin bike !

re: "that stem looks mighty long - you sure it's not out too far?"

It's just covering the skewer. I always ran my bikes like that but would prefer a longer stem if I can find one. I like the drops, just not down around my ankles.

They sell new Wald stems on eBay for like 15 bux that fit the Varsity, they are available in many lengths some of them ridiculously long.

Welcome to the club, rumrunn6!

I picked up 2 things from Harris Cyclery in West Newton, MA for 2 bikes. So glad I live/work near them! And you know what? They have the good stuff! :-)

- stem extender
- long stem

OOooo, now I'm thinking I can make a smaller frame work for me! I picked up a very light World Sport - not sure if the '80s bike took the same stem diameter -- doesn't really matter - lots to play with now. Thanks for the suggestions!

Ooo - silver housings?

Arggh, I have Varsity envy. Been looking locally for a 22 or 24 inch Varsity, but hardly ever do see one, and when I do they seem to be priced higher than a tweaker on his third fix of the night. I tell myself patience, one will come along and then you can make an offer and see what happens.

I already have a friend ready to powdercoat a frame, if need be. Sunflower Yellow, of course!

Tom

Fixed this one up for a friend. A middle-aged non-biker since childhood, he couldn't deal with the drop bars. I ordered the saddle & Wald bars from bikepartsusa. I like the bars, but the saddle is considerably bigger & heavier than I expected.

This bike is one of two that I got for $35. The second was even more beat-up, and I finally tossed it after finding the freewheel in bad shape, cones wrecked in the front hub, headset in poor shape, frame bent & misaligned, and the chainring fastener bolts stripped. With decent examples available for this kind of money, just wasn't worth the effort to fix it. I did, however, transfer the Union generator set to my other Schwinn. I think I paid more than $35 for a Union generator set in the 1980s.

I like these bikes, had a Varsity when I was a teen. Sure, heavy as hell, but the riding position was very nice for me & I could move pretty well on it. Lately got another Continental that was my size and fixed it up for someone else. Despite its heavy steel wheels, etc., the bearings are efficient (is that it? the BB bearing? oh ya, grade 1-1/2 grease too) & the riding position made me want to pull hard & I made good time when I rode it.

One of these days I'm going to have to put this one back together, unless I can find someone interested in a 24" yellow Varsity frame and fork within driving distance of Tulsa.

duffer1960 - that picture seems to be of a "Continental"

Yes, it's a Continental. But they're almost the same. I beg forgiveness! I loved my Varsity that I got for my 13th birthday & might still have 'cept it was stolen when I was 17.

Oh... "Continental"... apparently, the former owner wiped out the "Schwinn" part of the decal. ??

aside from buying a Varsity this weekend, I also bought a Continental and a World Sport. I guess I went on a kind of a binge ...

I added a stem extension to my LeTour and a long stem on the Varsity. so they're not "stock" anymore, but I'll be more comfortable.

Continentals are a kissing cousin to the Varsity. In fact, that Conti is pretty close to my plans for my Varsity.

Hang in there. You'll find one cheap or free.

You might also look outside your immediate area. Last summer I really wanted a weekend project and wound up driving from MA to RI then to CT to look at bikes. I eventually got a LeTour for $20. the guy was asking $25. Yes, I know I probably spent $60 on gas that weekend, but so what, I got a bike! :-)

Is this my serial #? K803410

I couldn't find info on year, etc. It seems there should be a two letter prefix?

Thanks James!

Tulsa and back in 5 1/2 hours. I've been rooting around in the box of parts and wondering what to do

Would you believe that frame and fork with stem shifters weighed almost 13 pounds? Dang! No wonder they were bombproof!

The Cannnondale CAAD 9-7 frame (52cm size) and fork I have on layaway at the LBS weighs about 1350 grams per Bicycle magazine, or about 2.97 pounds (they referenced a 54cm, but I have to admit I'm a wee bit skeptical!)

For sure an amazing difference to say the least!

Tom

That bike may have been made on October 27, 1958....according to the Bunch O bikes.com Schwinn serial numbers. Only one slight hangup -- I don't believe Varsitys were offered that year. Could it be a Racer? They look pretty much identical to a Varsity...

Take it one day at a time! Think of it as a puzzle. And I told you that frame was heavy -- they don't call them the "gas pipe" Schwinns for nothing!

Thanks James,