Schwinn Varsity "project" help
01-07-09 | 09:26 PM
#1
Thread Starter
Effortless Power ...
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 109
Likes: 0
From: Kansas City Metro
Bikes: Fixed Gear conversion bike(s), Jamis Quest road; Specialized M2; Puch conversion CX
Schwinn Varsity "project" help
Hello all.
I've just "invested" in a very old (no clue year) Schwinn Varsity as my first Fixed bike project. I've come to realize this bike may have not been the best choice, but the price was semi-right and it came with new wheels & tires & flip-flob hub, so I've been riding straight out of the gate. So other than flopped & chopped original bars 7 alexrim on rear with surly 16t fixed & 16t freewheel it appears stock. Now, the frame is a smidge tiny for me - but it's more the stem & bars that don't fit me. New bars have been ordered & are on their way (some 44cm bullhorms to replace the ~38cm ones).
I want to make a few minor changes to the bike - I think. But I need some help on sizings for replacement parts.
How/where can I find a replacement stem & what size am I looking for?
What about the Cranks? I don't mind the single piece crank - it's that I can't swap out the chainring for something more than the 39 on it.
Your help is appreciated. I am not ready (or able monetarily) to just strip it for parts & buy a new frame just yet...partly because I want to enjoy the riding 7 determine how much I'll REALLY ride the fixie before I go dumping a ton of $ into one.
Thank you.
I've just "invested" in a very old (no clue year) Schwinn Varsity as my first Fixed bike project. I've come to realize this bike may have not been the best choice, but the price was semi-right and it came with new wheels & tires & flip-flob hub, so I've been riding straight out of the gate. So other than flopped & chopped original bars 7 alexrim on rear with surly 16t fixed & 16t freewheel it appears stock. Now, the frame is a smidge tiny for me - but it's more the stem & bars that don't fit me. New bars have been ordered & are on their way (some 44cm bullhorms to replace the ~38cm ones).
I want to make a few minor changes to the bike - I think. But I need some help on sizings for replacement parts.
How/where can I find a replacement stem & what size am I looking for?
What about the Cranks? I don't mind the single piece crank - it's that I can't swap out the chainring for something more than the 39 on it.
Your help is appreciated. I am not ready (or able monetarily) to just strip it for parts & buy a new frame just yet...partly because I want to enjoy the riding 7 determine how much I'll REALLY ride the fixie before I go dumping a ton of $ into one.
Thank you.
01-07-09 | 09:28 PM
#2
Thread Starter
Effortless Power ...
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 109
Likes: 0
From: Kansas City Metro
Bikes: Fixed Gear conversion bike(s), Jamis Quest road; Specialized M2; Puch conversion CX
Sorry forgot to attach the picture 
And wanted to ask if anyone knows how to take off the darned kickstand? I've tried everything I know, but can't seem to win.
And wanted to ask if anyone knows how to take off the darned kickstand? I've tried everything I know, but can't seem to win.
01-07-09 | 09:33 PM
#3
Buh'wah?!
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 2,086
Likes: 2
From: Charlottesville VA
Bikes: 2014 Giant Trance
I don't have much to say about everything else, but one-piece (ashtabula) cranks are widely considered the easiest to work on. Check eBay for some rings, there's also a few other webites around that sell them. Some BMX bikes also use rings like that, though they are often smaller than you're looking. Hope that helps some.
-Gene-
-Gene-
01-08-09 | 08:06 AM
#4
Full Member
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 370
Likes: 149
From: From a Texas dirt road to the Blue Grass. Indy in ‘26
Bikes: Bicycles, Yes
01-08-09 | 08:50 AM
#5
aka: Mike J.
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 3,405
Likes: 60
From: between Milwaukee and Sheboygan in Wisconsin
Bikes: 1995 Trek 520 is the current primary bike.
01-08-09 | 03:00 PM
#7
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 1,418
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From: New Haven, CT area
Bikes: Trek 7.5 Hybrid, Trek 1.1 Road, Holdsworth touring,Raleigh International,Ritchey Commando,Italvega Speciallissimo,et.al.
If it a Schwinn Varsity from the 70's, remember that the threads on the Ashtabula crank are 28 tpi, not the standard 24tpi used on other USA made bikes. This obviously applies to the right and left crank cones and left hand locknut.
01-08-09 | 03:23 PM
#8
K2ProFlex baby!
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 6,134
Likes: 59
From: My response would have been something along the lines of: "Does your bike have computer controlled suspension? Then shut your piehole, this baby is from the future!"
Bikes: to many to list
You can always switch out the ashtabula for a three piece alloy, just get an adaptor, thatll solve your chainring problem 
__________________
You see, their morals, their code...it's a bad joke, dropped at the first sign of trouble. They're only as good as the world allows them to be. I'll show you. When the chips are down, these...These "civilized" people...they'll eat each other. See, I'm not a monster. I'm just ahead of the curve
You see, their morals, their code...it's a bad joke, dropped at the first sign of trouble. They're only as good as the world allows them to be. I'll show you. When the chips are down, these...These "civilized" people...they'll eat each other. See, I'm not a monster. I'm just ahead of the curve
