Clash of My Inner Nerd-isms
07-01-20 | 06:25 PM
#1
Thread Starter
Not the tea...the race!
Joined: Jun 2020
Posts: 3
Likes: 1
From: Vancouver, WA
Bikes: '71 Schwinn Varsity, 2019 Schwinn Loop
Clash of My Inner Nerd-isms
Vintage Schwinns and the idea of tearing one down and rebuilding one for the first time has recently been consuming me. A few weeks ago I purchased a 1971 Schwinn Varsity with all original components (less one brake cable) in good riding condition but way overdue for an overhaul. I have been researching the "how-tos" of refurbishing this bike and feel really good at this point that I will be successful. However, as a software consultant and Project Manager professionally, my inclination is to create a written plan prior to starting the task so as not to miss anything or do things in an incorrect order. Although there are some great resources out there for individual phases of the work, I cannot find anything that gives an end-to-end plan for the whole project.
Can anyone provide any insight, thought or suggestions on this topic? Am I over-thinking it? Thank you for taking the time to read my post!
Can anyone provide any insight, thought or suggestions on this topic? Am I over-thinking it? Thank you for taking the time to read my post!
07-01-20 | 07:20 PM
#2
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 30,225
Likes: 649
From: St Peters, Missouri
Bikes: Catrike 559 I own some others but they don't get ridden very much.
Vintage Schwinns and the idea of tearing one down and rebuilding one for the first time has recently been consuming me. A few weeks ago I purchased a 1971 Schwinn Varsity with all original components (less one brake cable) in good riding condition but way overdue for an overhaul. I have been researching the "how-tos" of refurbishing this bike and feel really good at this point that I will be successful. However, as a software consultant and Project Manager professionally, my inclination is to create a written plan prior to starting the task so as not to miss anything or do things in an incorrect order. Although there are some great resources out there for individual phases of the work, I cannot find anything that gives an end-to-end plan for the whole project.
Am I over-thinking it?
Am I over-thinking it?
__________________
My greatest fear is all of my kids standing around my coffin and talking about "how sensible" dad was.
My greatest fear is all of my kids standing around my coffin and talking about "how sensible" dad was.
07-01-20 | 07:52 PM
#3
Thread Starter
Not the tea...the race!
Joined: Jun 2020
Posts: 3
Likes: 1
From: Vancouver, WA
Bikes: '71 Schwinn Varsity, 2019 Schwinn Loop
07-01-20 | 08:05 PM
#4
I'm the anecdote.
Joined: Apr 2019
Posts: 1,820
Likes: 1,177
From: S.E. Texas
Bikes: '12 Schwinn, '13 Norco
A written plan isn't necessarily necessary, but photos are. Take before, during, and after photos. And I mean several of each mechanical item so that you'll know how it was assembled before you took it apart. Photos have a much better memory than the human mind, in my experience anyway. 
Another thing I'll do is write down measurements of things for the same reason of taking photos. Taking and writing down measurements helps me remember the spacing and placement of certain things.
Another thing I'll do is write down measurements of things for the same reason of taking photos. Taking and writing down measurements helps me remember the spacing and placement of certain things.
Last edited by FiftySix; 07-01-20 at 08:09 PM.
07-01-20 | 08:50 PM
#5
SE Wis
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 11,555
Likes: 4,332
From: Milwaukee, WI
Bikes: '68 Raleigh Sprite, '02 Raleigh C500, '84 Raleigh Gran Prix, '91 Trek 400, 2013 Novara Randonee, 1990 Trek 970
07-01-20 | 09:17 PM
#6
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 1,956
Likes: 1,242
From: Menomonee Falls, WI
Bikes: 1984 Schwinn Supersport, 1988 Trek 400T, 1977 Trek TX900, 1982 Bianchi Champione del Mondo, 1978 Raleigh Supercourse, 1986 Trek 400 Elance, 1991 Waterford PDG OS Paramount, 1971 Schwinn Sports Tourer, 1985 Trek 670
Having to write stuff down, takes all the fun out of a project, especially hobby projects. Currently redoing a 71 Schwinn Sports Tourer, This ain’t rocket science, pretty basic stuff.
Tim
Tim
07-02-20 | 04:57 AM
#7
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2020
Posts: 1,380
Likes: 537
From: Maryland
Bikes: 1982 Bianchi Sport SX, Rayleigh Tamland 1, Rans V-Rex recumbent, Fuji MTB, 80's Cannondale MTB with BBSHD ebike motor
only one kind of "sprint" that happens around here and "epic" applies to great rides, not ticket count.
Yep, you are overthinking it. Grab a beer and just get to wrenching. Have two 70's Schwinn's myself. The thing I don't like about them was having to find all my SAE non-metric tools. Even their pedal threads are different.
After getting them fully functional I realized it isn't very pleasant riding something that heavy with steel rim brakes. they just sit for the most part.
Yep, you are overthinking it. Grab a beer and just get to wrenching. Have two 70's Schwinn's myself. The thing I don't like about them was having to find all my SAE non-metric tools. Even their pedal threads are different.
After getting them fully functional I realized it isn't very pleasant riding something that heavy with steel rim brakes. they just sit for the most part.
07-02-20 | 07:06 AM
#8
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2017
Posts: 1,681
Likes: 799
From: Chapel Hill NC
Bikes: 2000 Litespeed Vortex Chorus 10, 1995 DeBernardi Cromor S/S
Vintage Schwinns and the idea of tearing one down and rebuilding one for the first time has recently been consuming me. A few weeks ago I purchased a 1971 Schwinn Varsity with all original components (less one brake cable) in good riding condition but way overdue for an overhaul. I have been researching the "how-tos" of refurbishing this bike and feel really good at this point that I will be successful. However, as a software consultant and Project Manager professionally, my inclination is to create a written plan prior to starting the task so as not to miss anything or do things in an incorrect order. Although there are some great resources out there for individual phases of the work, I cannot find anything that gives an end-to-end plan for the whole project.
Can anyone provide any insight, thought or suggestions on this topic? Am I over-thinking it? Thank you for taking the time to read my post!
Can anyone provide any insight, thought or suggestions on this topic? Am I over-thinking it? Thank you for taking the time to read my post!
