What's up folks?

I have been in the market for an older bike for some time now. I recently moved to Kansas, and thought for sure i'd find something here. After a few dead beat sellers on Craigslist backed out, I got discouraged. I had a nice 70s Motobecane lined up, then the seller stopped answering calls and emails. Oh well, I then found this gem, just picked it up today. A 60s Schwinn Collegiate Sport. I just wanted to put some pictures up, and see what you guys thought of it. I picked it up for 5 bucks. Needs some new tires, a chain, and some cleaning, and that's about it. Anyone know an approximate year? Also, any tips about cleaning 40 year old grime would be appreciated also.

Without further ado:






















P.S. Does anyone else think that old bike license sticker is badass?

Thanks for looking,

Parker

That was a great buy for $5. Have fun with it. You could probably put 27" rims on it if you want. Maybe PastorBob will show you his orange collegiate, that one is a beauty. Looks good man, it'll be a nice rider.
-Gene-

I believe the GL on your steering tube indicates July 1975.

https://www.bunchobikes.com/serialnumber5.htm

https://www.geocities.com/sldbconsume.../75ccpg21b.jpg

First, great find for $5. It looks to be in great shape. I agree with Amani576, I'd replace those 26" rims. As far as I know, the only tires you can get for those Schwinn 26 inch rims are Kendas or Chenlee. Neither are thrilling. 27" rims would still have that retro look and you can upgrade to alloy with a hook or buldge bead. Then you'll at least be able to shop for some decent 100PSI tires. I don't know how 700C rims would look on that bike, but that would allow you to put almost any type of tire you want on it. Upgrading to 700C would probably cost more than 27 inch unless you found someone with an old set of Araya's with a freewheel hub, then they might be as inexpensive as a set of 27" rims.

I always want one of these but I'd like to change the bars to more like NorthRoad type bars and fenders.

Still looking and waiting for a bargain like yours!

Great find!

Collegiates have a great deal of class and I especially like red. Thanks for posting.

I agree. The first thing I thought was that would make a cool looking pathracer.

Mutt

P.S. Great looking bike and welcome aboard.

+1 On the 27 inch rims. A recent thread pointed out that Niagara has alloy 27 inch rims, with quick release and stainless spokes for under $30 each. Can't beat that kind of pricing if you plan to keep the bike.

As far as cleaning, Simple Green works well.

Scooooooore!

Good find.

PM me your address and I'll shoot you some NOS vinyl tape to replace the sun-faded stuff that's on the bike.

That is a sweet bike, even a 20 times what you paid. Nice score!

Thanks for all of the comments guys. Also, thanks BigBossMan, for the tape, I will definitely post up some pictures once I wrap them, probably in this thread, so as not to clutter the boards. I am getting pretty stoked about this bike. I think for now I will just pick up a set of the Kendas so I can actually ride it. Then once I am on the road, I will start shopping around for some 27 inchers. I am pretty new to this aspect of cycling. I plan on going to get some Simple Green tomorrow morning, and start cleanin her up. One more geeky question. Does anyone here name their bikes?


Parker

On another note, can someone tell me what the tabs on the back of the saddle are for? I assume to strap a small bag under there. But I have been wrong before. . . .

Yup - for a saddle bag.

Wow, you jumped in with a great bike. Very nice.

Very nice!

That Schwinn is Schweet! And Theo, Big Frank, and the Rover all agree-happy bikes have names.

I had one lined up off of craigslist too but they stopped responding to me as well. Maybe the same one? I don't remember where it was at as it's been awhile.

Simple Green is great for the greasy chrome bits, but go with about a 1 part SG to 4-5 parts water when cleaning the frame and rinse quickly. Use an old toothbrush or other small brush to reach the tight spots.

After the cleaning, how do you resurrect the old Schwinn paint? Several of us use Meguiars Scratch X and then use their wax and polish. Be gentle around the decals and the screening on the chain guard. It can really make old Schwinn paint have a second or third or forth life.

https://meguiarsdirect.com/detail/MEG+G10307

https://meguiarsdirect.com/detail/MEG+A2216

https://meguiarsdirect.com/detail/MEG+A2116

From this Kool Lemon as found at the dump:


To this after using the Meguiars treatment (ignore the big chainwheel, it was there for fun).

Now I need to think of a name that fits. When naming cars, I like to use the first letter of the model name, as the first letter in the bikes name. For example, my Integra is named Isabel. I was thinking maybe Stacey, I can't think of anything starting with a C, any ideas?


Weird. I am in Wichita, and it was on the Wichita Craigslist, but the bike was located in Sedgwick. It was a teal green Grand Touring, or Touring. He wanted $25 for it.

Looks good, would you mind posting up a couple more of the after pictures? What do you use for the chrome bits? Same technique?

Clarice.

Colin?

I have my father-in-laws Collegiate from the same era. It has the Sport chainguard but also chrome fenders and upright bars. They may have been changed at the dealer. It is a small frame size so I cleaned it up for my daughter for when she comes home from college.
When you look for tires, the original size was 26x1 1/4, but most of the shops only stock the 26x1 3/8 size. Make sure you are getting the 597mm S6 bead, NOT the 26x1 3/8 590mm, which is for most British 3 speed bikes.

Yes, but then whenever you refer to it you must speak like Hannibal Lecter.

Yep. I'm in Hutchinson and that's the one I wanted too. Oh well.