fender1

Hi ,

I finished this project recently and thought I would post some pics for those who maybe considering something similar.

I converted a 1973 Schwinn World Voyageur frame to accept a Nexus 8 speed hub. I am going to use this as my winter commuter as I had 700cc wheels built and got a pair of Nokian 106's for post November riding. Also I hope that this build serves as inspiration for others to try thier own repairs etc. A year ago I knew very little about bike repair. With the help of people on this forum, Sheldon Brown (a man amongst men!!) and the park big blue book of bike repair, I did the entire build myself except for the wheels which my lbs did for me.



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I got the original bike for $78. The specs are as follows:

Schwinn World Voyageur Frame, 23 inch, 4130 Chromoly, double butted and hand made in Japan. Fully chromed under the kool orange paint!
Nexus 8 speed hubm 36 hole Sun CR18 rimm Schwalbe Marathon 32mm Tires
Schmidt Dyno hubm 36 hole Sun CR18 rim
Shimano Dual Pivot Longreach brakes w/ kool stop mountain pads
Dual Schmidt E6 headlights and DT genrator powered tailight w/ standlight
Sugino single speed crank 170mm 46th chainring
19th rear sprocket (34-105 gear inches)
Brooks Champion Flyer Saddle
Jandd Expedition rack
Nexus twist shifter attached to hubbub adapter for drop bars
Sakae/Modolo bars 43cm(?)
Brass bell
SKS fenders
Tektro interuptor levers

Bike weight: 36lbs

Also thanks to sammyboy for letting me know about photobucket! and cuda2k's documentary post on his schwinn passage commuter restoration/adaptation for inpsiration!!!

Let me know your thoughts. The trailer bike attached is my son's. I picked him up from school on the maiden voyage. So far with about 100 miles on it I am loving the bike.

wild animals

it looks AWESOME!
i wish i had an orange bike. so jealous right now!
good job

markw

Nice commute bike. Those were built in Japan right? Looks good, lugs still rock.

marqueemoon

Amazing. I love the chrome and orange, and a Schmidt SON with dual headlights on a $78 bike? What's not to like about that? Very inspiring.

grolby

Gorgeous! I want one. Perhaps someday...

ducati

Very pretty!

fender1

Yes they were built in Japan. It was made by Panasonic for Schwinn. It was only made for one year (1973) as it was percieved as a threat to the Schwinn Paramount built touring bikes. It was as good in quality, the Shimano componentry worked better that the Campy (Shifters, derailers etc.) that came on the Paramount at half the price, so it was dropped. The shimano stuff showed up on the Paramount the next year (rebranded as Le Tour.)

I initially started this project with the idea of using a Kogswell Model P frame but they are no longer in procudtion. I talked to Matt at Kogswell for a while and he was very insitent that a Japanese frame of this sort would be very similar to the Model P (His words not mine!) He held the 70's and 80' upper level models by the Japanese makers in very high regard. A number of the Japanese Schwinn's were made by Panasonic and Bridgestone. There is a great link in Classic & Vintage forum for the Schwinn Lightweight Data Book. It gives all perinent info on Schwinn road bikes from 1970 to 1980. You can find a great frame, lugged 4130 chomoly (Like Surly!)steel, handmade, with plenty of clearance for larger tires and fenders for VERY cheap. The data book helps you narrow down what models are better tha others. Steel frames are easily cold set "streched" to accept more modern drivetrains.

thdave

Wow. Handsome bike. Everything a commuter needs. That is outstanding. Love it.

squeakywheel

Just in time for Holloween! Ride around the neighborhood with your coat pulled up over your head carrying a pumpkin blinding everyone with the megawattage light system.

I love the bike. That's great inspiration.

DanO220

So what did the whole project end up costing? This would make a great comparisson for those thinking of building a similar commuter on a new frame.

And yea. The bike looks great. I bet you'd be hard pressed to tell the difference between yours and a new Rivendell in a 'blind taste test'.

DanO

mikdes

Very nice!

fender1

Adding in the schmidt hub, lights, rear rack and brooks saddle which came ( as if I paid for them new) from another bike about $1200. It is by no means cheap but I raised the money by flipping vintage bikes and parts from garage sales and craigslist on e-bay so there is very little, if any out of pocket expense and I learned a ton. I learned quite bit from the folks in the classic and vintage forum as to what was desirable from a buyers perspective and what was not. I have indoor secure parking at work. Also I bought some of the parts for the build through my LBS even though they were available cheaper on e-bay. I like to support the local guys. You could probaly bring the bike cost in at about $1000-$1100 if you were willing to shop on line more than I did.

Thank you for the Rivendell compliment as that was the spirit in which I assembled it. I just can't afford $1400 for a frame and fork. Also this is a dedicated winter bike. The chroming under the paint helps protect it from rusting. I applied two coats of frame saver as well when I broke down the original bike.

jyossarian

That bike is hideous. Send it to me immediately for proper disposal.

Oh wait, it's a 23". That's too tall for me. Keep the bike and have fun riding it!

BTW, what stem do you have on there? I need a longer one for the roadie.

fender1

Nitto Technomic 100mm.

dynaryder

Sweet Nexus goodness....

I-Like-To-Bike

Here is your chance. Take this hideous bike off my hands for your next project; a 1983 Schwinn Voyeageur SP. I think it is a 19½ frame. Willing to trade for a hideous Raleigh 3 speed Sports or Superbe with 23" frame that needs no major work.

Click to enlarge:

Sammyboy

Wow - it was worth giving you the down-low on posting pics just for that! Thank God that's a trailer bike on the back - my first thought, looking at the first pic, was that you'd put a normal rack, and then, for some reason, one of those seat-post rack on above it. That wouldn't be cool!

Nice though, very nice.

bikebuddha 

Those drop outs look sweet. Great job on the bike.

fender1

Thanks for all of the kind words! Someone should take ITLB up on his offer that is a nice commuter w/ canti brakes etc.!! I have since added two homemade mudflaps and some additonal rear reflectors. I will post a pic if the commuter pics forum in a bit. Anyone who would like instructions on how to make mud flaps check out the link below.

https://www.phred.org/~alex/bikes/

grolby

Oh, how I wish I had a Raleigh Sports or Superbe!

I have a 3-speeded Schwinn LeTour III with flatbars, want that?

Bolo Grubb

I want to do the same with my 1984 trek 720.

Near as I can tell I would get almost the same gear ratios and easier maintenance.

Now just to figure out the money part to do it.

That is one sweet looking commuter

tuolumne

OP, could you tell me more about your Schmidt lighting setup. I am currently building a wheel around a generator hub. How fast do you need to go to get full output from both headlights...Peter White's site seemed to indicate 11 mph. What is the transition like as you accelerate? Do they gradually get brighter as your speed increases. The E6 primary has an extremely useful beam pattern from what I've read. Does the secondary have the same beam pattern (square) or is it a wider angle light for seeing the up-close stuff? I assume they're both switched lights?? 2.4 watt with 0.6 watt tailight for the primary and 3 watt for the secondary?? Thanks for any feedback.

fender1

I get full output at 10-11mph. I am no expert but I barely feel any drag with both lights on. The only time I notice is whe I am climbing the one big hill on my commute and then I turn the secondary off so the primary has better output. They do get brighter and softer as speed increases/decreases. Beam pattern is the same for both lights. I have them set up like car headlights and the beams just "touch" in the center of the road. Both are switched lights. I use 2.4 for secondary I think(Whatever came in the light). I like the set up quite a bit. Light is always available. Since the bike wiehgs 36lbs unloaded about 50 bs loaded drag, is not that big of a concern. I had a 10w battery powered light and this seems to be a good replacemnet in my mind. Plenty of light and no hassles with charging or connections (The light I had before had cheap connectors). It is very good for my suburban/urban commute where there is ambient light. If I were in an area with no ambient light, I don't know if this would be the best solution

Dahon.Steve

I love your bike. It's pretty high geared for my taste. I suspect you ride it in 4th gear at 55 inches most of the time. That 105 inch gear is incredibly high. Do you use it at all?

Your bike reminded me of a rusting Voyageur I saw abondoned in a parking lot last month. I was going to restore it but left it there. Someone must have taken it.


104.6
91.9
79.2
64.8
55.1
48.5
41.7
34.1

jyossarian

I have none of those bikes. However, I do have some narrow handlebars and a NIB sandwich maker.