cparekh

So, I found a Schwinn Traveler III frame in the dumpster behind my apartment. I own a couple of modern race bikes, but I was looking for a commuter to ride to work. I thought this might be a good project to learn how to wrench a bit better, especially because I had a lot of extra parts lying around.

The headset and stem and brakes were still on the bike. No handle bars, wheels, crank set, bottom bracket, or derailers.

I found some cheap 25.4 mm bars, added some Cane Creek brake levers, some new brake cables and housing. I had some 700 c wheels with a flip flop hub at home, and I had a 53t crank set and bottom bracket that fit the bike, so I added those.

The brakes were in good shape, so I added new pads. I had to file a couple of mm into the hole, so that the pads hit the rim in the correct place. This was due to using modern 700c wheels instead of the proper 27 inch wheels.

Overall, it is now a nice steel single speed (53-19) or fixie (53-17) with brakes!!

I think the frame is a 1978 because the head badge says 0198, which I ascertain to mean the 19th day of 1978. The frame is Japanese made and approved by Schwinn. I just worry that the bike was stolen from someone else and then thrown away. I put up some signs and and ad on Craigslist, but no one responded.

roccobike

Could be stolen, but I'll bet someone just threw out that "old bike" they didn't want anymore. That's a nice find and you're putting it to good use. Way to go.
Story: I went to a yard sale about a year ago. They had two new Magnas from some big box that they made sure I understood were not for sale. But if I wanted a bike they'd sell me that old thing over there, the one that says "Miyata Street Runner" on it, yeah that one. I bought the Miyata but didn't have the heart to tell them how it compared to the new bikes they just purchased.

cparekh

For most people, though, the Magnas are a better bike because they like mountain style bikes that don't need any work on them. It's like saying that most people would prefer a new Toyota Corolla to the 1960s Jaguar parked out back that won't start.

You and I know different, though.

yardmutt

Nice job, that is a nice looking Schwinn. I love it when they are brought back from the dead.