Hi folks,
I'd like to share my latest find with you all. Hopefully you all like the pics. and some of you schwinn experts can give me some insight on a few things.

A few questions:

Which model year is this bike, my best guess is that this is a 1965 model? There are a couple things that confuse the identity. The serial number doesn't seem to coincide with what I would expect, as there is only one letter.

Using this resource:
THE SCHWINN DATE CODES BY YEAR,MONTH AND DAY

Another funny thing is that the front wheel appears to have Stainless spokes but the rear does not. According to the Schwinn catalog '65 model's should have stainless spokes. Both rims are the same (unfortunately the rear wheel has a pretty big gouge in one spot that may make it unusable).

Also are the front and rear brakes original to the bike? They are different.
Another weird thing about the brakes is that the right brake lever is currently attached to the front brake and the left lever controls the rear, just the opposite of every other bike i've had. Would this be something somebody did aftermarket?

A mechanical issue:

As you can see in the picture of the pedal, somebody messed up the threads on the left pedal by trying to force it in (probably turning it the wrong way). Fortunately they stopped after only going in a little bit. The worst of the damage is to the pedal but the first thread or two in the crank looks a little rough. I thought about buying a tap and die set and trying to repair the pedal and crank (i've never used tap and die) but being reverse thread I guess I would need a specialty set. Do you think taking the pedal to a bike shop would be the best, cheapest way to get this fixed? Or should I just plan on trying to find a replacement crank and pedal?

Looks like a '65 or '66 Coppertone SS to me with the downtube shifters, integral RD hanger, and chrome fork with the "M" (no middle spike) style crown. Nice find! The serial number is strange, as you would expect a couple letters before what's shown in the photo on your link. The fact that it's stamped on the rear dropout indicates a 60's SS, as the later frames were stamped on the head tube. The "phone dial" front hub also looks correct, but the rear hub with triangular cutouts is likely from the mid-70's. Do the handlebars have "Super Sport" script on them? Here's a gorgeous looking violet example.

Fantastic find! Congratulations!!!

Looks very, very familiar.

https://www.bikeforums.net/classic-vi...per-sport.html

But I just checked the barn, and it's not mine.

Top

The serial number B5075 indicates this was the 75th frame made in Feb. 1965, meaning it is almost certainly a '65 model. These frames were hand-built in the Paramount "cage" and like the Paramount at the time used different serial numbers than the standard production frames.

Schwinn changed to non-stainless spokes in '66 for sure and may have actually changed earlier. During the transition it might have been possible to get different spokes from the factory but it is also possible or even more likely that the front or rear was relaced at some time in the past.

Both hubs have the triangular cutouts which are correct for this bike. Check the hub markings, I believe that the original hubs in '65 should be marked "Sprint" while later replacements were "Schwinn Approved". Also look for a letter or number date code.

The front brake appears to be the stickered Weinmann style used in Sept. '64 and later, while the rear appears to be an earlier engraved style. It may have been a replacement at some time in the past. I also noted that this bike has the red button type quick release levers that were supposedly used in '64 only, however it is possible that some made it into early '65 production.

That was an aftermarket change, most likely by sombody who also rode motorcycles as they have the front brake on the right lever.

You might be able to repair the threads on the pedal with a small file, then lubricate it and seeing if you can get it to thread in properly. If that doesn't help then I'd try a local bike shop.

Cool bike, I like it!

I've been looking for new, not too expensive 27" wheels for mine (which had ruined rear and absent front) and coming up short. All the high-flange stuff is for track bikes and has nutted axles, all the low-flange freewheel stuff is 126 spaced. I'm about ready to try wheel building with vintage parts.

Go 700 C. You get more tire choices and brake reach isn't an issue.

Running a tap from the back of the arm should easily restore those threads to usable condition. It's not worth investing in a set of pedal taps for a job you'll only do once; take it to a shop and let them do it. It shouldn't cost much.

A thread file can clean up the threads on the pedal axle. Chances are, the shop will have one of those as well.

He's obviously the guy to listen to on these.

Scott; These 5-spoke cranks are still different than the 70's version also used on Varsity & Continental, aren't they? If so, he might still find one of the 60's versions from a "Varsinental" if it turns out the pedal threads are junk.
Looks like I can't trust my eyes anymore either. Coulda sworn that front hub had round holes!!

Great thread. Pics of my 1968 Super Sport. Some of the original parts have been replaced with period correct components. My plan was to eventually upgrade the components to the equivalent of what was available for the Sports Tourer of the mid-seventies but I got stuck on the one piece crank. Just haven't had the heart to replace it even with the extra weight. Over the years this has become my around town bike. Perfect for leisurely rides with the kids.

Yes! Actually your thread was part of my inspiration in purchasing this bike. When I saw the Super Sport I bought lumped in with a pic of some other old bikes on craigslist, I thought, I've seen that bike before! Then I looked back through the last several pages until I came to your bike and it was the likeness of yours that brought me to conclude that this one was probably a '65 also. Before I saw your bike I was under the impression that all Super Sports were of the stem shifter variety (I'd like to have one of those as well).

Thanks for the insight all who have contributed to this thread!


I actually stopped by the local bike shop today and they said they could probably clean up the threads on the crank arm and pedal for about $15.00, so obviously I'm going to have them do it (As soon as I get the bike disassembled).

I think the rear wheel is pretty much shot, it has a big gouge in the rim, is all out of whack true wise, and the non-stainless spokes look pretty crusty so I think I will just go ahead and throw on a set of decent 27" hook bead wheels that I have lying around. I kinda hate to go too far from the original bike with the components, but the hooked rims will be a big upgrade and like others have mentioned about these bikes the frame and fork are beautiful and warrant upgrading. Who knows I might even get crazy and slap on a little better rear derailleur during the overhaul.

You found my bike... let me tell you where to send it.

Exactly, while the '64-'67 "Sprint" vs. '68-'84 "Schwinn" crankset chainrings were different, the actual crank arm assemblies were essentially the same. I will say that the smoothness of the finish and chrome on the crank arm forgings did get a bit more rough as the years went on, but other than that and the (otherwise hidden) mfr. and date codes they are all the same.

I had to look at the full original resolution pics on photobucket to see for sure.

I remember that these were discussed on the SchwinnBikeForum and I think it was pretty well established that they did indeed survive into the early part of the '65 model year.

Good to know, thanks for the confirmation.