loubapache

This one has a slanted top tube with 27" wheels. Thanks.

mkeller234

A small one.

cb400bill

79 or 80-ish.

reggieob

Serial # on the head tube will tell you...

Metacortex

I think that's a '79 through '81 with a small 20" frame in Cardinal Red. I believe the even smaller 17" frame those years was curved, which people often refer to as a "camelback" model.

loubapache

I do not have the bikes yet. Will get them this weekend. There is also a women's. I was told they are 18" frames but I think they are 20" as Metacortex said. Still I have not seen the slanted top tube in the men's.

BassNotBass

They look like EF Schwinns... heavy but bomb-proof. I believe the reason for the slanted top tube on the men's is because it's such a small frame (short seat tube).

wrk101

I've never met a seller that got the size right yet.

loubapache

This should raise the seat height, LOL. Are the seat posts 13/16 for these Schwinn's?

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...A2CP32FBOKJOOV

The seat tube diameters are so strange for the old American bicycles (Huffy, Sears, Murray, etc). Some are 21.x mm and others are 22.x mm.

BassNotBass

That's very true. My late 60's-early 70s Mohawk has something like a 25/32" seat tube and the tubing walls are about 3/16" thick.

mainstreetexile 

I would believe 18" for that men's frame. Most 19" and over frames for most 27" wheeled bikes usually have horizontal top tubes (although usually without that gap in the headtube).

Metacortex

That post is the correct 13/16" size for the Varsity, however it also has a standard sized 7/8" saddle clamp. The clamp on the Varsity saddle is a smaller 5/8" version. In other words that post will work as long as you also change the clamp and/or saddle.

Re: The frame size, here is a '79 in the smallest 17" "camelback" frame currently on eBay: https://www.ebay.com/itm/300787647051

loubapache

Thanks, Metacortex, for the correct seat clamp size.

Here is a really long one, LOL.

https://www.amazon.com/Wald-Seatpost-...2F16+seat+post

Yes, I have seen the camelback and horizontal top tube Varsity but have not seen the slanted one.

Once I get the bikes on Sunday, we can find out the year, etc.

Metacortex

Note that seat post is mis-labeled or mis-pictured. The pic shows one with a 7/8" expanded top portion while the specs indicate a narrower 5/8" top. Make sure you get the one you want if you order.

loubapache

OK, I got the women's bike home so I got the serial number.

"cb400bill" was right on. It is MRxxxxxx. It is a 1980 (December) Schwinn Varsity.

It looks just like this one on the Bay:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Used-Vintage...item43b445ec8d

I just took everything apart now. Will do a through cleaning and greasing, then reassemble and adjust. It is a bit small frame: 18".

The men's is still in my daughter's place.

Jeff Wills

Yep, 1979. I probably sold a zillion of them (I worked in a Schwinn shop from 1979 to 1984).

Catalog page: https://www.trfindley.com/flschwinn_1...0/1979_16.html

Metacortex

More important is the 4-digit number on the headbadge, which will date the actual assembly of the bike (not just the frame). Being that it has a Dec. '80 frame, the bike is probably an '81 model.

loubapache

Thanks, Jeff Willis, for the catalog. So it is really a 17" frame.

THanks, Metacortex, for the head badge number education. You are right on again. It says "1821 Chicago" so a 1981 model.

Metacortex

The stamped 1821 number means it was built on the 182nd day of 1981, which was Wed. July 1, 1981.

loubapache

OK, got it cleaned and greased. Not too bad. Here are some photos. The chrome on the wheel, handlebar, crank, etc is all pretty shiny. The tires are dry-rotted so need to be replaced if it is going to be ridden.

I have one observation and two questions. Pardon me for being a Varsity newbie.

1) I found the handlebar can only be removed/installed through the stem in one direction only. Have you even seen this?

2) The rear weel has a missing spoke and yes, it is on the drive side. So I need to remove the freewheel. Is FR-4 the tool?

3) I measures the spoke length, it seemed to be around 11-9/16 (about 294 mm). Just want to get a confirmation on this. I have read that the 27" wheel Varsity has 11-9/16 spoke on both the front and rear wheels drive side or non-drive side.

Thanks.

Next project is a 3 speed All pro. It is lighter than the Varsity.

Metacortex

It definitely comes out either way, however depending on the specific stem forging and/or handlebar bends, you may need to expand the stem binder slightly further to go out one side vs. the other.

The factory installed freewheel will be either a Schwinn Approved Model J (Shimano) or Model F3 (Normandy/Maillard). If you post a close-up pic of the freewheel I can tell you which one it is even while still on the bike. They can quickly and easily be differentiated by looking at the "top protector" (outer chain guard), those on the Model J are attached with a snap-ring, while those on the Model F (and F2/F3) screw on. The Model F2/F3 will also have that designation stamped on the protector.

The proper freewheel removal tool for all of the Model J as well as the original ('73 and earlier) Model F is a Park FR-4, however the '73 and later Model F2/F3 freewheels have a larger spline that requires a Bicycle Research CT-3.

You can get the Park FR-4 for $5.95. Unfortunately the Bicycle Research CT-3 at $20 is currently out of stock, the only other equivelant substitute I know is the Normandy/Maillard tool for $29 shipped on eBay.

If the wheels are laced 3x and have high flange hubs then 11-9/16" or 294mm is correct. However in '79 Schwinn began using low-flange rear hubs on the Varsity, which is what I think I'm seeing on your bike. In that case the spoke length should be 3-4mm longer according to some rough calculations.

Everything is lighter than a Varsity. <g>

loubapache

Thank you so much Metacortex. I will take a pic to see if you can determine the freewheel tool. I do have one taken this morning but it may not be good enough. Anyway, here it is.



Good advice on the spoke length, I think I will remove one again to be absolutely sure because it is a 1981 model.

Now I have worked on a few of these old and low end bikes, I noticed the weight difference due to the frame construction. I do not know if it can be generalized but among the ones I have seen this seems to be true.

If the seat stays are welded on the side of the seat tube, it is generally a heavy frame. Examples are the Varsity, Murray Pheonix, Sear Free Spirits, etc.

If the seat stays are lugged into the seat tube (not sure if that is the right description), then it is a lighter frame. Examples are the Huffy Bay Pointe, K-Mart All Pro, etc.

I have the above bikes and there is a noticeable difference in weight.

loubapache

The 1981 Schwinn catalog does not have detailed specs but the 1979 one does.

For 1979, the freewheel is a Schwinn-Approved Maillard with 14-17-20-24-28 tooth cogs. High-speed chain guard and built-in dust seal.

Rear hub is Small flange alloy 36 hole.

Metacortex

I would need to see a close-up pic from the derailleur side to tell you what freewheel you have, but that new pic above does confirm you have a low-flange rear hub.

In the end it's actually more about the components than the frame. The bare frame on a 21" Varsity weighs about 7.5lbs, a similar sized high-end lugged frame weighs about 2-3 lbs. less. All of the other components on the Varsity are where the real pounds come from. The steel crank/chainrings add about 2lbs over a 3-piece alloy crankset, the solid-steel forged fork adds more than a pound, the forged steel stem and steel handlebar adds about 2lbs, steel wheels add another 3lbs, Twin-Stik shifters and the big dork disc together add another pound, the list goes on.

In other words, with a tubular fork and upgraded lightweight components you can get a Varsity to within 3 lbs. of just about any similar sized similar vintage bike, because that's about the weight difference in the frame alone. Of course one would argue that bikes with heavy frames are usually equipped with similarly heavy components, and most people wouldn't want to spend the money upgrading a Varsity. I'd actually consider it, but I like to be different. <g>

Metacortex

Right, it's probably a Model F3 but I'd want to be sure before ordering a $30 tool. <g> Attached are pics of an F3 freewheel removed and one on an '83 Continental. Note the two holes on the outer chain guard, which allow the guard to be unscrewed with a pin spanner. The F3 freewheels are also date coded on the back of the large cog, the last pic shows one dated March '76 (76 03).