Rummage Sale find
 

Just found this at a rummage for $10 today. Needs a bit of work, but should be a fun first restoration project.

So, anybody have a clue what year Schwinn Racer this may be? I can't seem to find much info online to help determine that.

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4026/...34ff54012e.jpg

early 70s. Look at the SA hub for the date of manufacturing of the hub. Also the serial number of the bike should be on the left dropout

There are several Schwinn date code decoders on the web. Were's one.http://www.bunchobikes.com/serialnumber.htm
Great looking bike.

Very nice! Racers are really excellent bikes.

Schwinns like this are great to work on, and can be stripped down...cleaned & lubed....and put back together in a "leisurely" evening. Nice to find a larger frame, especially if you're over 5'6"! If you should need tires, Niagara Cycle Works has pretty good prices on them... 26" x 1 3/8".

I'm going to guess 60's. The same bike was, I think, called a "speedster" in the 70's. But, as always: what do I know!

I'm not certain when they lost the eye stabbing brake levers, but the pedals look to have no reflectors. That would denote pre 73 at the least, so a nice find in that condition. Polish it up, clean the chrome, polish the aluminum, and it will look like new. Just watch it around the decals, as they were on top of the paint back then. If they're dry enough, you can polish the white off, leaving the clear part of the decals intact.,,,,BD

I think the serial numbers jumped to the lower head tube, after 1965. So if it's not on the dropout, check the head tube. With the old flush fit metal reflector holder on the back, I would guess late fifties to early 60's?

They have good paint , so all it will probably need is a wax, or compounding & wax, to make it shine.

Gee, that thing is beautiful for that age. Good find.

Careful. Some Schwinns took a special 597mm tire which is different from the standard 590mm which is called 26X1-3/8.

My aplogies. In these cases it's probably best to contact Niagara Cycle Works' customer service department through their website. They can let you know if the tire will fit the rim.

My Racer wheels require the special "S-6" tire. I think I got mine at Niagara, they weren't too bad cost wise.

Great find ! I believe that this bike is from the 1965 to 1969 time frame.

Thanks for all the positive feedback - I'm even more excited about my find now ;) And thanks for the heads up on the tires. I'll take a look at what Niagara has.

Going to start taking it apart today and cleaning everything up piece by piece. Should be a great way to waste a Sunday morning. I'll put up more pics as the progress warrants.

Thanks - didn't know about the serial number possibly being on the head tube. I just thought I was missing something when I couldn't find it on the drop out or anywhere around there.

Thanks - didn't know about the serial number possibly being on the head tube. I just thought I was missing something when I couldn't find it on the drop out or anywhere around there.

Check the rear hub for a date too. It should read something like 69 7 it is typically stamped near the AW logo on the hub.

Aaron :)

Schwinns looked very much the same for many many years, think fox body Ford Mustang:lol: Visually they are kind of hard to date, unless you dig deeper. Which models were made which years, etc. So, what is the serial?,,,,BD

Be carefull cleaning the Racer on the chaingaurd, the triangle pinstriping on the fork and the pinstriping on the fenders. Those items were pad stamped on the frame and tend to be fragile. Use a mild soap. Simple Green, other degreasers, and rubbing compounds will dissolve the paint.

Looks like it's from 1970 - right below the Sturmey Archer logo there's a stamped 70. No other numbers on the hub.

Sorry - don't know why it always double posts when I quote a previous post.

Anyways, Bikedued, the the serial on the head tube is G 05399. Just about to look that up.

70 or 71 depending on the month code, which appears to be missing. The serial number will help narrow it down to a single year. As for polishing the paint, 3M Finesse It will do a VERY nice job bringing out the wet paint look, if it is possible to get a shine. Looks promising. Finesse is pretty gentle on the decals and chainguard stencils. It will actually take the discoloration off, and make them somewhat white again. The harsh cleaners will dissolve them, that is very true. Here's a couple of Collegiates I did, they both turned out nice.,,,,BD

The effort expended doesn't seem worth it to me for a flipper, so I kind of shy away from these types of Schwinns now. If I was going to keep it, then I definitely would spend the time. You just don't get a lot of return for the labor involved on these, unfortunately.

http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n...CollClean1.jpg

http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n...r/Collred1.jpg

^^ Wow... those both look pretty slick. Mine's going to take a bit of work to get close to that - the paint's more chipped and oxidized than the photo I posted shows. I'm having my mechanic brother in law talk to a few body shops to see what a proper paint job might cost.

I'm breaking things down between posts and am cleaning out the front hub right now, so far so good there. I have run into one thing I wasn't able to figure out, though. The brake levers have no nut or screw to loosen them, at least that I can see. Anyone know how you get those off?

. I have run into one thing I wasn't able to figure out, though. The brake levers have no nut or screw to loosen them, at least that I can see. Anyone know how you get those off?

Generally if you pull the lever back and look into the opening of the hinge there will be a screw to loosen that allow you to remove the lever

And generally the head of the screw will be rendered useless before you can loosen it even a 8th turn. Be sure and soak it down with penetrating oil, if it doesn't budge on the first try.,,,,BD