kickstand housing
 

Can I cut off this '72 Schwinn SS kickstand housing? Should I?
What tool would be best...would a hacksaw cut it?

I wish someone made an aluminum replica, the stock stand weighs a full pound!

http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=299380

http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=299381

http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=299382

Best to leave it alone, by all means use the kickstand.

Yeah, someone cut the one off of one of my Schwinns and now it's kinda flexy back there. Looks like you've got nice paint. Don't Drew it.

Leave it. Someone may want to put a kickstand back on the bike.

I recall reading that Schwinn experimented with an aluminum leg for the kickstand... long, long ago.

Schwinn thinking- steel is cheaper then Aluminium
all that weight gives a smoother ride
all that weight makes stronger children
more money at the scrap drive also.

Yeah, I guess I won't worry about a few ounces...especially if it might compromise rigidity. With a full Suntour Sprint groupset I'm shooting for about 26 lbs...or 27.5 with the kickstand and housing!

I believe that an alloy kickstand of the exact OEM dimensions as the steel ones would be fine for regular, careful use.

I hope that someone makes up a batch from alum rod stock, heat-treated. I'd buy two or three.

Than again, I haven't tested this theory!

I think the catch pin hole in the arm would quickly fail but it would be pretty funny having one.

I'm probably in the minority, but I really like those integrated kick stands. Think of all the crimped chain stays that those housings saved.

Are crimped stays really a problem? YES! My Mercian, Lotus Eclair and America frames have suffered from kickstands in the past. They all ride fine still, but I hate the damage that cheap kickstands cause.

All my fillet brazed Schwinns have lost their steel kick stands, but not the mounting tube. It acts as a chainstay bridge and disappears in all the drive side pictures.

http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p...n10STRide3.jpg
http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p...r/P9210093.jpg

Even from the front, it can't be seen.

All my fillet brazed Schwinns have lost their steel kick stands, but not the mounting tube. It acts as a chainstay bridge and disappears in all the drive side pictures.

http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p...n10STRide3.jpg
http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p...r/P9210093.jpg

Even from the front, it can't be seen.

It is decided...the kickstand mounting tube stays. It'd be a hassle to remove, plus if it's good enough for the Pastor I figure it's good enough for me!

As an aside, below is the finished '72 SS frame I assembled for my lanky son-in-law. It's kind of a conglomerate of parts, but it fits him perfectly and works well. I left the kickstand on because I don't care about the weight of his bike!

STI on Opaque Green, very sweet! :cool:

Man, that's an eye-catcher! What do they call that green?

I am of the view that these SuperSports should keep their one-piece cranks and their kickstands, even though heavy.
These are good, rattle- and creak-free components that sort of let these bikes fly their colors.

I picked up this one a few years back and really like and prefer the ride and especially the geometry as compared to my Varsity and Continental.

http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=299661