A Neat Find
 

I just got back from a family reunion in west Texas, and I think I've come across something pretty awesome, or at least to me. Since I'm thinking of making this my first resto build, I have plenty of questions.

Our reunion is held on a very remote deer lease in Lueders, TX. My mom and I were walking down a path scattered with old automotive relics including a Rambler Super, the cab for a possibly late 40's GMC pickup, and a 70's Mazda B1600 pickup. None of these really matter to me, since I found something laying down next to the B1600.

At first it looked like just another old rusty bike, but once I saw the trademark oval Schwinn badge, I knew I should take another look. (My mom was interested, too, being a '72 Varsity owner!) Here is what I found:

http://img41.imageshack.us/img41/9665/pa280038.th.jpg

The pedals are frozen stuck, the fenders are beaten to hell, the saddle is missing, and the paint is fairly worn out, but the frame felt solid and it rolled a lot smoother than I thought a bike that had been sitting for who knows how long would.

Once I started taking some snapshots, I noticed something different about the headbadge. Below the Schwinn name is a faint remnant of what appears to be "Goodrich" in cursive lettering. After researching this once I got home, I found that Schwinn manufactured bikes for BF Goodrich, and the serial number revealed that it is most likely a 1957 model. Here's a crummy shot of the headbadge:

http://img181.imageshack.us/img181/316/pa280039.th.jpg

Below is a shot of the coaster brake, with a little glimpse of the rear wheel. Both wheels are pretty badly rusted, so I doubt I'll be able to salvage them, which makes me sad since I love the white with black pinstriping. :(

http://img40.imageshack.us/img40/9498/pa280044.th.jpg

A picture of the handlebar grips: (Is there any way to get any new ones like these? Reproductions?)

http://img233.imageshack.us/img233/1246/pa280041.th.jpg

And since I didn't take the picture of the full bike correctly, some shots of the crank:

http://img41.imageshack.us/img41/8789/pa280042.th.jpghttp://img242.imageshack.us/img242/9029/pa280043.th.jpg

So, now for what I'm planning. I really want to make this a UNT spirit bike. I want to get it painted green and white, our school colors. (See UNT's website for color example.) Also, in addition to reproduction decals of the originals (if available), I'll add a few of UNT Eagle touches. I may even throw in some NTSU throwback stuff. It would be a really sweet ride at tailgate parties!

And now for where I need your help! First off, what was this particular model called? Where were BF Goodrich by Schwinn bikes sold? Also, I'm baffled as to what kind of hub it's using, as all it says is "Germany." I'm thinking of keeping it, since it still looks pretty good and the rear wheel turns smoothly. All I'm planning to do pretty much is tear down and clean up everything chrome, unstick the bottom bracket, get a new chain, bang out and bondo the dents in the fenders, get new wheels if needed, and get it painted. Any other recommendations? Thanks! :thumb:

NOTE: This will not be a daily driver. I have my '84 World Tourist for that. This will be strictly a fair-weather bike which will be ridden at school spirit events and the like, so peak performance is not top priority.

Great find! Looks to be a American type model? But I'm not all that up on the Schwinn heavy weights. Are the wheels 26" or smaller? Can you tell if it has a 2 speed kickback hub?

http://www.trfindley.com/flschwinn_1...59/1956_03.jpg

Yes, they are 26ers, but I'm not sure what you mean by a kickback hub. Remember, I'm new at the whole resto thing!

Looks like a PeeWee Herman-style Schwinn Typhoon. Have a blast restoring her.

Yes. You can find replacement hand grips.

I see you becoming acquainted with the miracle of oxalic acid in the coming months. :)

I'm not 100% but if it were a kick back it would have colored bands on the hub, and a kickback I think would have it stamped on the brake arm, like this one.
http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y16...ikeshop010.jpg
http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y16...ikeshop011.jpg

If the rear hub has 2 or 3 rings [usually red] around it you struck paydirt.It is a kickback 2 speed hub worth about $100.

Red, yellow, or blue. :thumb:

No luck with the hub. It's simply a chrome hub with "Germany" engraved on it near what appears to be an oil insert.

A question about oxalic acid. Where is this miracle stuff available? Is it something I can spread on with a brush or is it a buy-a-huge-quantity-so-I-can-dip-it type of thing?

Oxalic acid is also known as wood bleach and is available at many hardware stores.

Buy it and submerge into it.

Paint store have it too for about $8-10

So will the oxalic acid take off the paint as well as rust?

The oxolic will leave the paint.
These bikes are easy to get running and fun to ride. They tend to be high geared but you can get a smaller chainring off of any old BMX bike and they'll climb hills just fine.

Here's an update:

I'm keeping this bike at my parents' house since I have no room at my apartment. My dad and I have started to bang out the dents in the fenders and scrape the paint from the frame. The paint is coming off pretty easily, and the underlying metal looks really good. We have also freed the pedals with good 'ol WD-40, and they are surprisingly smooth. I think we're planning to just paint it ourselves with some good spray paint and a clear coat.

I've taken a few in-progress shots that I'll post this evening. Stay tuned.

EDIT: Also, the brakes work great!

Sweet! can't wait for the pics!

Picture time!

Here it is with some of the downtube and chainstay paint scraped off:

http://img181.imageshack.us/img181/9...0709001.th.jpg

I've also managed to get most of the rust off of the front sprocket. Looks pretty good!

http://img38.imageshack.us/img38/192...0709003.th.jpg

And a closer look at the downtube:

http://img134.imageshack.us/img134/7...0709004.th.jpg

There will be more to come, but probably not until next weekend. Also, can anyone recommend a good saddle for this bike? Something comfortable, yet not as expensive as a Brooks?

Check Niagara Cycle for some inexpensive saddles. Or maybe your local bike shop.