letitsnow

This frame came from a bike that was my wife's when she was young(er).

I added a Dimension mtb disc fork - had to grind the head tube to allow for the 1 1/8" headset, the 26" mtb wheels and tires came from the bike that I raced last year - had to spread the rear of the frame and make an aluminum plate for the disc brake caliper - also had to weld the factory der hanger on so that the stock mounting bolt wouldn't interfere with the 9 speed cassette. I then added an adapter to use a truvativ newer style crankset (running a 1x9 set up). An lastly, a Specialized avatar seat.

I had most of these parts from earlier projects, so this bike didn't cost me much. It is a pretty fun ride! I've been using it for riding in the snow and on gravel roads.

Now you can all laugh at me.

Grand Bois

I didn't think it was possible to make a Varsity cool, but you've done it.

letitsnow

Thanks!

Metacortex

I like that a lot. I'd love to see more pictures of the modifications you made.

sailorbenjamin

Nice. Would this fit in the MTB dropbar conversion thread or is this coming from the wrong direction?
Schwinn made a MTB version of the Varsinental frame at one point. Don't remember the name. Not quite like this thing, though.

Paramount1973 

What do you mean by 'grind the head tube'? Did you bore it out?

letitsnow

Yes, but did so with a dremel. It wasn't the best method but worked. The headset that I had has been sitting on my shelf for years - it has bearings that sit outside of the head tube so that I only needed to remove about 30% of the metal on the frame to make them fit.

letitsnow

Thanks! I don't have any other pictures right now, and the bike has seen a lot of use lately, so it is covered in muddy snow. If summer ever arrives here, I will take more pictures.

sailorbenjamin

Muddy pictures are ok.

pastorbobnlnh 

Well done! A Varsity with disc brakes and a STI shifter is just awesome. Please show the details, muddy, clean, or in whatever condition.

And where is it you are located?

Glennfordx4

Cool, please post your pictures, inquiring minds have to know. I have a few Varsity's laying around that I didn't know what to do with ( I already have an anchor for my boat ) & something like this could give them a chance at life again.

Glenn

letitsnow

Here is a picture of how I tack welded the hanger so that I could remove the stock mounting bolt.

letitsnow

Picture of the adapter installed allowing me to use a newer Truvativ crank set. Notice how the adapter sticks out past the edge of the frame on both sides - there is a ridge inside the frame that the adapter hits, but all works fine this way.

letitsnow

Picture of the rear disc brake set up. I used one existing hole and drilled another in the flat steel part of the frame. Used a piece of aluminum flat stock that was laying around from another project. The brake calipers are Avid BBDB's, which were the earliest version of the BB7's - not worth much if selling, but work just fine.

letitsnow

The headset... No matter what you do, making a 1 1/8" fork fit this frame is going to be a challenge.

I ground about 1/3 of the inside of the head tube away, then used a really big hammer to pound the cups in. Neither of these methods are the right way to do this job, but they worked.

Cache

Awesome! Coolest Varsity on the planet for sure. Well done, thx for posting.

Metacortex

Thanks for the pics and explanations!

andyfloyd

holy smokes, that is SICK! A varsity MTB that is literally amazing. Im pretty impressed!!! WOW

dddd

I'd be concerned that with the bigger tires encouraging taking on bumpier terrain at higher speeds, the weakened head tube and over-stressed left-rear dropout might lead to a sudden and dangerous failure.

This reminds me of the improvised conversion of a men's frame into a ladies frame by simply cutting out the top tube and let's go riding.

Instead of asking "how's it work" or "how's it handle", I find myself asking "how long will that last", and I'm sure that no rider wants to find out.

I try to remember that in the event of my demise, some un-knowing person might become the owner/rider of any of the contraptions that I've put together, and something like this might not be the best legacy for any of us to leave behind.

This coming from a big fan of old Schwinns, but not because of any remorse over the bike losing any of it's originality.

letitsnow

Life is full of risks. At least this bike is being used now. It would have sat (safely) in the shed forever if I hadn't modified it.

Glennfordx4

You could always get a 1" fork instead of a 1 1/8" fork, so that would take care of that concern & I wouldn't be worried about the left drop out as long as it's done right & the hole isn't that big. What I don't understand is why you had to weld the RD hanger claw to the frame.

I just bought in one of my cleaner Varsity's I had laying around to build and flip, I am using a 74 Le Tour for parts & replacing most of the steel parts on the Varsity with aluminum parts off the Le Tour. I am using a old American to Euro BB adapter I had but added 12 ball BMX bearings and cups just because I had them, the only thing I don't have are a nice set of 27" aluminum wheels to add but I am using a NOS steel wheelset I also have on hand. I guess now I should call it a Le Varsity.


Glenn

letitsnow

I'm not worried about the head tube failing. I only modified the frame about 1/2" from the top and bottom. If either end fails, it will act like riding a bike with a bad headset - might be tough to keep in a straight line until stopping, but no big deal.

I had to weld the hanger because the head of the stock mounting bolt would rub on the 9 speed cassette.

Good luck with your project!

JJPistols

That is a marvelous machine!

dddd

I kind of always thought of building a Varsity for mild off-roading, but I never envisioned this one I have to say.

And about those LeTour wheels, some of the Japanese chromed rims (Araya, Ukai?) were the best ones ever made imo.
Really smooth braking surfaces and reasonable weight compared to any of the rims that Schwinn made. I've done some serious long, hard rides using The Araya version, and they look great too. Just don't ever ride on them in the rain!!!

letitsnow

I rode the Schwinn last night on a 45 mile gravel/tar road/ski trail ride. It works great for that stuff!