Great score on the High Sierra! As you've discovered, you got gifted a high-end Schwinn. And the paint looks quite good. I would not strip it as it'll lower its value, plus it's not certain yours is fully chromed beneath. Several versions did have chroming, but yours is fully painted.
The yellow looks cool, and I'm sure in time it'll grow on you. It's MTB, it's supposed to be loud and brightly colored. ;)

If you don't have basic and intermediate bike tools, then giving it a proper tune-up (overhauling/relubing bearings) will be tough. So paying the labor cost is reasonable if you want to ride it immediately. Of course the cost could be rolled into tools, and you can read up on basic maintenance. Depends on how committed you are.

Enjoy your Schwinn. It's a great bike, I have a Sierra, one below yours. And it's a nicely made frame. Your suspicion that Giant made it has merit. I suspect it's Giant given the rear drop out design...matches Giant bikes from that era.

I finally ( after nothing since spring) picked up a few bikes (7 altogether) in the last week most needing repairs that are minor. The best out of the lot was a Schwinn Voyageur GSX hybrid w/sram 3x7 Dual Drive on it. It was in ride on condition and everything is in great shape and needs just a seat( installed it on Frankenfuji ) & wash & wax before I decide what I am going to do with it.

The other bike that needed tires & a service that is in great shape is a 1973 Woman's Schwinn Collegiate 5spd, someone installed new tires from Wallmart which they must have had a hell of a time getting them on since it takes 26x1 1/4" tires & not the 26x1 3/8" ones that they forced on there.
The other bikes are,
A low end Bianchi road bike with a bent fork
Trek Mountain Track 800 with a bad frame but everything else in good shape. One of 4 Treks that I have that had gotten water in the frame then froze destroying the NDS chainstay, I have never had any other frame but a Trek do this, Poor design???
Peugeot US Express MTB in poor shape
Murry 10spd road bike w/24" wheels needs front chainrings & chain easy fix cheap sale . Has new tires.
Columbia 10spd Road bike needs a front wheel easy fix cheap sale.

http://i299.photobucket.com/albums/m...cs82011005.jpg
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Good deal on the High Sierra. I think that's a reasonable price for a tune-up. What shop did you take it to? If you decide you don't like it or it's too small, I'm local and would take it off your hands.

I had a trek 800 series with the same thing that happened as well. Maybe its just odd luck. Those cranks on the Trek look like the ones that were recalled. Here is a link if you want to check.

http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml97/97149.html

Check the model number on that Altus crank and see if it's recalled.

Thanks guys, I am already on top of it. That is the updated crank on there already, I am waiting for 2 of the warranty crank kits now and it was the first thing I checked on this Trek 800 when I got it home. I still have one more to remove from a GT MTB also that will make 5 this year total that I exchanged.

As far as the Trek 800 series frames freezing and cracking the chainstays, if you look at the frames the chainstay tilts towards the BB which when it gets water in it it is unable to drain out of the drains at the rear of the stays. Most other bikes I think have a chainstay that is more level letting water drain out, I mean I have a lot of parts bikes that live outside all year round and it hasn't happened to any one of them.

bud16415

Check your pm's

Hey Eric
Tried to reply but said I need 50 posts, so here is another towards the count.
Thanks for writing. You wouldn’t happen to be the Eric I know from town would you?

I'm liking the Cannondale more and more and I still can't believe the deal I got. People get tired of their toys I guess. I have only seen one other person do a drop bar chop that way, most people also flop them leaving the levers below the bar and the hood unusable. I have that mirror type on a few bikes and like it. Wasn’t easy to mount it into the stub left when chopping the bars on this one as the bars are curved there. had to shorten the angle wedge on it quite a bit. and I'm not super happy with the location. On my tour bike I have a fitting that mounts under the brake hood I might just try that this weekend. Where it's at is ok at night I see the lights coming but not the best to see as I have arm in way a little, also it bugs my pinky finger a little.

Bud

Picked up a 1978 Motobecane Grand Jubile mixte today. Not a great catch, paid more than usual for sure. But it is a higher end mixte (they are tough to find), with Cyclone Generation 1 components, a triple crankset, partial wrap around seat stays, Vitus tubing and fork, and a real nice brake bridge Blackburn rack.

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6080/...ae676bbf_b.jpg


Crankset is not original, but 1980 vintage and handy here in the mountains (bike originally came with a 52/40 double.)


http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6140/...56dbe35897.jpg

I got the Schwinn Collegiate I picked up pretty much finished yesterday just waiting for a set of brake pads that I ordered to come in. I really didn't spend as much time as I normally would cleaning it up but then again it really didn't need it looks pretty good for a 38 year old low end bike .

http://i299.photobucket.com/albums/m...cs82011039.jpg
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Thanks man....I was kind of hoping for it to be 1986. I do see that they made yellow in 1988. I guess they didnt make yellow in 86 or 87 I suppose. Appreciate the reply Bob.


Cool rekmeyata. I guess a tune up is order next week. Yes I am unable to do one myself currently. Both shortage of knowledge and tools :( I suppose this bike just has chrome underneath in certain places. Or appears to be a shiny chrome. Thanks for the feed back. I am grateful for an intact bike, that actually looks like it has not had any damage, just normal wear and tear. Stripping paint looks as if it will cause more harm than good. Maybe a repaint in the future would be best.

WNG, appreciate your kind words. From a distance it does look better than close up. Paint is scrapped off in some places over all about 75% is good though. Thanks for sharing your opinion.

AlphaDogg, hahaha!! Yeah I guess it got cooked down here in the Texas heat. I saw what this bike is suppose to look like and that stem is suppose to be jet black lol. Oh well whats a man to do!! I will just be happy that it is all original and work on the little blemishes as time goes by.

I took it to a place called "The Bike Shop" Jupiter and Arapahoe Rd for inquiry. The main guy was not in. It seemed to be a laborer I was speaking with. lol he told me I got a gift and he did not believe the woman knew what she had in the way of the bike or was just trying to create space doing a little cleaning. I am a little confused on the year, I clearly see what Bob was referring to "Yellow" in 1988. I guess that is what the serial number comes back too? Reviewing this link http://mombat.org/Schwinn_Specs.htm this bike seems to have many parts from different years. Such as Shimano Deore XT pedals. The Shimano Deore SIS front derailer. The Rear Shimano Deore DX, 26X1.5 Araya Rims, Sealed bearing hubs, Shimano Deore SIS shifter. (The gentleman told me the shifter assembly was worth $100 by itself) I will have to take a closer look at the bike itself to see the main accessories. realestvin7 If I do not get the proper use out of the bike or decide to let it go, I def. give you a buzz.

Dahon Speed D7
http://i914.photobucket.com/albums/a...Photo-0017.jpg

Specialized Crossroads
http://i914.photobucket.com/albums/a...e/IMG_2248.jpg

Specialized Hardrock
http://i914.photobucket.com/albums/a...Photo-0018.jpg

Got these Cook Bros cranks today digging. I'm pretty excited.

http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/g...r_Sale1337.jpg

Wow! Thats some hardcore goodness!

I think they're super cool. I'll probably put them on a touring bike, if I can ever get one my size.

What size are you looking for?

55-57cm top tube.

Can't help you there, sorry, haha. I have a criss cross frame [that I would give away] that would make a nice touring bike but the top tube is a whopping 61cm. I also have a motobecane grand touring that I'm abusing for work (long story) and the top tube is 58cm.

Mazda, you might try contacting this person http://phoenix.craigslist.org/evl/bik/2545721569.html you might score a nice frame out of the deal!

Picked up a Univega 600 comp with some new XT pieces. took it camping this weekend...but this was the catch of the day>
http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/h...r/DSC01090.jpg

Does anyone know what freewheel tool is needed for these Azuki bikes?

It depends on the brand of freewheel you have. Shimano used a 10mm hex wrench, but others used either a 11 or a 12. I don't know anything about the Azuki brand other then they were second tier to Nishiki, but what freewheel they spec'd on any one particular bike at any specific model year I wouldn't have a clue other then to guess either Shimano or Suntour. The brand of the freewheel is usually stamped on it, just look.

Read this page, it may help you identify the tool you need: http://www.parktool.com/blog/repair-...ewheel-removal

How much to send that 61cm frame to Texas? :D

I bought my Wife a Specialized Crossroads 17 years ago before we were married. Her only bike was a Murry 10 speed at the time, so the Crossroads was a huge improvement and she road many mile on it before kids. Last year it got handed down to my 11 year old daughter and she loves it and had me put toe clips on it. The old steel hybrids are really great bikes.