Is it bad form to Drew a Varsity?
 

I mean they made them by the millions so.....

I have heard other forums posters advocating removal of braze-ons for lower end bikes such as UO-8's. I would think a Varsity is even lower end, so chop away! Just don't cut so deeply that you damage the frame tubes.

Shouldn't be a problem, unless it's a particularly nice example. Rustbucket gaspipe is fair game.

-Kurt

I would rather a bike get ridden than get scrapped, so chop away.

Grind away!

That's why they exist.

Well I guess the votes are in... So... anyway I only want to remove the kickstand bracket as I am not looking to fixie or SS this one but was still wondering

you wil miss not having a kick stand.

Why not just remove the kickstand and leave the bracket? It supports the chainstays and lessens flexing.

Plus, it makes a great place to stash your blunts.

Why not just remove the kickstand and leave the bracket? It supports the chainstays and lessens flexing.

Blunts no more for me bossman! I need what mush I have left...


Mr. IGH
Great minds think alike!
Just before you posted I removed it. But left an small amount of the top where it is welded to the stays to retain just what you were thinking!

Removing a kickstand bracket is not the same as amputating a derailleur hanging tab.

I simply removed the kickstand itself from the Varsity I briefly owned. That was my second-best improvement, after the aluminum rims.

Other guilt-free changes I made: 1) downtube shift levers (shim required, of course); 2) removal of both pie plates; 3) replacement of 5-speed 14-17-20-24-28 freewheel w/ 6-speed 14-16-18-21-24-28; 4) removal of suicide brake handles; 5) KoolStop brake pads; 6) replacement of front pedal reflectors w/ toeclips. I turned it into a surprisingly decent commuter.

When it comes to a Varsity, any reasonable weight reduction is a good move.

I like the way you think. BTW, the kickstand bracket takes the place of the chain stay bridge -- do not remove the bracket.

As for the OP's original question: Some Varsities have collector value, but most are only worth a few bucks. Let your imagination run wild.

+1 Unfortunately, that kickstand mount is also the chainstay bridge. So I would keep it, after removing the kickstand itself of course.

To fill the gaping hole, a chrome handlebar end cap fits almost perfectly. I never shook it out on several rides. I recommend
the metal one for the best results.,,,,BD

http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n...er/Kickcap.jpg

I thought they were Drewed from the factory...

Yep. Nothing like bending helpless sheets of classic steel into poorly-formed tubing.

-Kurt

+1, with a standing ovation.

I actually dropped in to say this, but it's been said for me.