Noah Scape

I like to keep one Schwinn in the stable. So when I donated my Continental to the Bike Library, I started my search for a Schwinn to replace it. Fortunately, I came across this '74 Sports Tourer to fill the empty space. It is in remarkably good condition. I bought it from a shop owner that picked it up out of an estate. I have modified it a bit, but have no fear, I've carefully bagged and stored all the original parts and bits. In its current incarnation, it is sporting:

• TA 3-pin Pro 49/38
• original Huret front derailleur and replacement Crane rear (original bagged and stored)
• Shimano 5 speed freewheel
• Suntour thumbshifters
• Mafac racers and levers
• VO fenders
• Nitto Northroad bars and SR stem
• Brooks B68

I'll be putting a nice Brooks/Schwinn seatbag on it later this week. Rides very nice.

nlerner

Very nice. That paints looks wonderfully preserved or restored. I have my '70 Super Sport set up similarly except as a 5-speed with a single stem shifter. Man, it's a smooth rider.

Neal

stringbreaker

Nice, except for the bars it looks remarkably similiar to my 72 Continental

Noah Scape

The paint is original and except for a couple of nicks, pretty much flawless. It is a real museum piece. I almost wish it weren't in such good condition... I hate to be the one to mess it up.

cuda2k

That is a BEAUTY!

USAZorro

Nice bike.

I'm pretty sure that counts as an upgrade.

pastorbobnlnh 

Can Sporty come over and play? Very sweeeeeet.

Were the original rims, hubs, and spokes also in the pristine condition that they appear to be? My experience has been that grime and rusty spokes can really take a toll on them, but your wheels look factory fresh!

All it needs now is one of those classy looking French headlights and bottle generators from the late '60s early '70s.

Noah Scape

Thanks. I replaced the wheel set because the original wheels were too clean. Here's a couple pics of Sporty before the plunder.

mparker326

Great find and your conversion looks good too.

I recently couldn't resist the temptation of a 72 Sports Tourer in the more typical shape after 37 years. I amazed at how comfortable the Sports Tourer rides.

John E

I definitely approve of eliminating the pie plate and the chain guard, and the TA Professional 3-bolt crankset is indeed a classic. Nice choice of ring sizes -- I run 47-38 on Capo #1, which is a 10% drop from the traditional 52-42.

Noah Scape

They are very comfortable... I really like the geometry.

One interesting thing I discovered when attempting to change out the front derailleur... the seat tube is slightly oversized.

Sierra

How dow like that Brooks B68?
Here is my recently completed '76 Superior, basically the the same same bike, and set up in a similar fashion.
I've presently got a B67 on it and I'm not liking it. Just doesn't hit me right. I'm considering a Champion Flyer but would like your opinion of the B68.

Zaphod Beeblebrox 

Do you folks all use the Tru-Vativ "American-to-Euro" conversion kit on these Schwinns? What bottom bracket do you use with it?

Noah Scape

Both the Sports Tourer and the later version Superior came with a standard 3-piece ISO bb.

Noah Scape

Very sweet bike, Sierra! I think the B72 is a very comfortable saddle. Haven't ridden the B68 much yet, but so far I like it a lot. I started this build with a vintage Brooks Pro, but after I rode it down the street and back, I decided I'm just getting too old or my bum is getting too wide to go with the Pro.

fiataccompli

i'm doing something similar with an '80s vintage "world".... a thoroughly non-stellar lugged framed bike I picked up without wheels. It will be black and much less pretty, but I hope it will ride about the same. BTW, are those aluminum rims?

Sierra

Thanks for the kudos. Your bike is very sweet also!

As for the Pro, I don't thinks it's so much that you're getting old as it's a function of the riding position. The more bent over you are the narrower a saddle you will want, and conversely, the more upright you are, the wider a saddle you will want. Of course there is always the natural variability that always occurs where a saddle that works for one person won't necessarily work for the next. There also seems to variability in the saddles themselves. I bought a Gitane TdF that had an old beat up Cinelli Unicanitor on it that was very comfortable. I bought another Unicanitor in better condition to help dress the bike up a bit and it was just not as comfortable. I don't think it's a matter of break in with those saddles either.

Re: the seat tube, yes, they are 1.160" rather than the more standard 1.125" I had to file out the Suntour Cyclone front der. that I used on this bike to avoid snapping the clamp.

sailorbenjamin

NEVER!
I use mine to blind enemy aircraft and inform the mother ship of my position.

sailorbenjamin

Nice bike, by the way. I gotta get me some fenders.