My Schwinn Collection
#1
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Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2008
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My Schwinn Collection
Its raining pretty hard here. There are people running a marathon locally. I would normally be either riding or watching the runners, but since I can't I thought I share with you my Schwinn Collection.
For some reason my last 3 finds have all been US made Schwinns.
The newest edition a 1986 Schwinn Temp. Got it off CL locally. Not a super bargain like some of you but it was 30 min round trip car ride away. The hubs were too loose the BB was too tight and every bearing was dry. Went for a shakedown ride yesterday and it was one smooth ride. Still need a chance for a longer ride.

A few weeks prior saw this only a few miles away on CL.

Needed a lot of attention as it was left out for some time. I stripped it down to the bare frame, parts went into Oxalic bath. Had to sand all the Al parts to remove pitting. Still missing decals but its a good light touring bike. Added fenders since that picture so I will update it later. One unique feature is the Suntour shifter which is labeled Symetric. It auto trims the front derailer (left side) as you shift the rear derailer. Its a great feature. On most bikes, I am always fiddling with both shifters. On this one, once you get front derailer centered it more or less stays trimmed.
Now why didn't that feature survive either in later Suntours or Post Suntour? Some of you may know. Please share.
Prior to the LeTour Luxe I got a 1988 Schwinn Circuit frame/fork off of ebay. I bought it to replace another US made Schwinn (Traveler) that I crashed. Built from the frame up with Suntour GPX components.

This is an excellent high end bike and fits me comfortably.
The rest of the collection I got years ago. The Japanese made 1991 Series 3 Paramount OS was also a 30 min car ride away. It had a worn chain but otherwise didn't need but adjustments.

Finally, back from my college days, I still have this ATB Mirada (Made it Taiwan by Giant for Schwinn)

Its probably worthless, but has nostalgic value. Years ago I discovered that the right rear dropout had a crack in it. I almost tossed the frame, but at the last minute took it to a local welding shop. They deal with airplane parts and I didn't expect them to help with such a job. But the owner was a super nice guy and patched the DO. It has held up for 2-3 years. It looks a lot better with fenders and less aggressive tires. I will update this picture soon. It is the ATB commuter conversion. This is the most bomb proof bike I own.
This is my Schwinn collection. I hope you enjoy looking at them. I like most of you had a blast finding and refurbishing them.
The bigger challenge: How to find room for all of them in the garage?
For some reason my last 3 finds have all been US made Schwinns.
The newest edition a 1986 Schwinn Temp. Got it off CL locally. Not a super bargain like some of you but it was 30 min round trip car ride away. The hubs were too loose the BB was too tight and every bearing was dry. Went for a shakedown ride yesterday and it was one smooth ride. Still need a chance for a longer ride.

A few weeks prior saw this only a few miles away on CL.

Needed a lot of attention as it was left out for some time. I stripped it down to the bare frame, parts went into Oxalic bath. Had to sand all the Al parts to remove pitting. Still missing decals but its a good light touring bike. Added fenders since that picture so I will update it later. One unique feature is the Suntour shifter which is labeled Symetric. It auto trims the front derailer (left side) as you shift the rear derailer. Its a great feature. On most bikes, I am always fiddling with both shifters. On this one, once you get front derailer centered it more or less stays trimmed.
Now why didn't that feature survive either in later Suntours or Post Suntour? Some of you may know. Please share.
Prior to the LeTour Luxe I got a 1988 Schwinn Circuit frame/fork off of ebay. I bought it to replace another US made Schwinn (Traveler) that I crashed. Built from the frame up with Suntour GPX components.

This is an excellent high end bike and fits me comfortably.
The rest of the collection I got years ago. The Japanese made 1991 Series 3 Paramount OS was also a 30 min car ride away. It had a worn chain but otherwise didn't need but adjustments.

Finally, back from my college days, I still have this ATB Mirada (Made it Taiwan by Giant for Schwinn)

Its probably worthless, but has nostalgic value. Years ago I discovered that the right rear dropout had a crack in it. I almost tossed the frame, but at the last minute took it to a local welding shop. They deal with airplane parts and I didn't expect them to help with such a job. But the owner was a super nice guy and patched the DO. It has held up for 2-3 years. It looks a lot better with fenders and less aggressive tires. I will update this picture soon. It is the ATB commuter conversion. This is the most bomb proof bike I own.
This is my Schwinn collection. I hope you enjoy looking at them. I like most of you had a blast finding and refurbishing them.
The bigger challenge: How to find room for all of them in the garage?
Last edited by gmouchawar; 11-06-11 at 03:38 PM.
#2
Senior Member


Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 1,763
Likes: 3
From: Toronto
Bikes: Pinarello Veneto, Pinarello Montello, Bianchi Celeste
Nice bikes, I dont see much of these up in Canada, when I do they don't seem to fetch good money, I guess theres not really a collector market or a lot of people that want them here in toronto. I guess it's more of an American thing.
I like the blue paramount, seems like a nice bike
I like the blue paramount, seems like a nice bike
#4
Nice I like the red Circuit. I don't see much of the high end stuff below the Paramount around here...Circuit, Peloton, Premis... The Tempo's are more easier to find and always that blue and white with the red lettering(think later mid 80's)
#5
Senior Member

Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 4,066
Likes: 2,153
From: NW Ohio
Bikes: 1984 Miyata 310, 1986 Schwinn Sierra, 1987 Ross Mt. Hood, 1988 Schwinn LeTour, 1988 Trek 400T, 1981 Fuji S12-1977 Univega Grand Rally, S LTD, 1973 Sears Free Spirit 531, 197? FW Evans
When I saw the Tempo, I thought it might be this one: https://toledo.craigslist.org/bik/2680631814.html
I would like to have it, but I just bought a new bike, so my funds are tapped out for the moment.
My '86 Sierra is similar to the Mirada and I keep it around for the same reasons. This summer my son was tall enough to ride it. Luckily, he decided that he would rather have a road bike.
I would like to have it, but I just bought a new bike, so my funds are tapped out for the moment.
My '86 Sierra is similar to the Mirada and I keep it around for the same reasons. This summer my son was tall enough to ride it. Luckily, he decided that he would rather have a road bike.
#6
Freewheel Medic



Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 13,569
Likes: 3,314
From: An Island on the Coast of GA!
Bikes: Snazzy* Schwinns, Classy Cannondales & a Super Pro Aero Lotus (* Ed.)
Beautiful collection. You have a different emphasis than most of us who onw a few Schwinns.
Just looking at the various frame sizes and your comment that the Circuit fits the best, makes me wonder how you are even comfortable on the Paramount?
Just looking at the various frame sizes and your comment that the Circuit fits the best, makes me wonder how you are even comfortable on the Paramount?
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Bob
Enjoying the GA coast all year long!
Thanks for visiting my website: www.freewheelspa.com
Bob
Enjoying the GA coast all year long!
Thanks for visiting my website: www.freewheelspa.com
#7
That self trimming Suntour is one of my favorite shifters. I have it on a couple of bikes. I also wonder why that feature was dropped. Maybe too hard or expensive to make. I had one apart to repair, and it's pretty intricate inside.
Nice bikes.
Nice bikes.
#9
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 214
Likes: 3
My only emphasis lately is US made bikes. The best fit for me is a 60cm but I seem to manage on a 58-63. On 58's the seat post are at the minimum insertion point and the seat all the way back.
Probably not ideal but I don't ride these bikes that often. I usually ride is a 60cm Centurion Ironman.
I am open to trades for bigger frames.
Here is the updated picture from the Mirada
Probably not ideal but I don't ride these bikes that often. I usually ride is a 60cm Centurion Ironman.
I am open to trades for bigger frames.
Here is the updated picture from the Mirada
Last edited by gmouchawar; 11-06-11 at 03:44 PM.
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