Who is good to buy heavy duty wheels from ???

[HoughMade]

I like my 11ga (.120") spoke Husky wheels. About $85 including shipping, but I use rim brakes- that price is for a quality standard front and a Shimano coaster hub.

 

[augidog]

no decent tire choices with special wheel sizes

the old schwinns' with proprietary wheel-sizes are easily "converted" to standard 26" wheels...it's likely you'll need to change the brake calipers, or completely switch to a coaster rear/drum front. a coaster rear will require maybe a small mod to the kit-sprocket.

i have made multiple purchases of those basic 12G steel wheels from bikepartsUSA w/o problems, but if you're hesitant there are many other sources.

there is one wheelset i know meets your needs, but it's spendy...Golden Eagle offers a "velocity" SS 12G freewheel rear wheel & front SS 14G sturmey-archer drum: http://www.bikeengines.com/orderpage2.htm (scroll down for wheels)

this conversion is a bit of a "can-o-worms" but will be solid, safe, and reliable when you're finished...imo, the frame is built well and will hold up to a HT just fine.

 

[Porkchop]

I don't mean to upset you,, but I don't consider that bike to be a good candidate for motorizing. This is MY opinion, now.
Yes, S-6 is a distinctive Schwinn rim design. Always buy tires designated for S-6 bikes to go on those rims. Even if you tried to rebuild the wheel with thicker spokes, you still are limited in choices of tires to use, which are going to be the skinny tires. Cruiser type bikes seem to be the best candidates. to motorize. Plus, who wants to go very fast on such skinny tires ?? NOT me !
You can continue to restore as original & you will have a super nice bike for normal bike riding.

Not upsetting me at all. Personally I don't think any bike is a candidate for these engines if you know what I mean. Tires aren't a problem or an issue for my bike. I found out how to buy the correct ones. My local Schwinn dealer that's been in business for over 30 years has knowledgable mechanics. They gave me the correct tires. They verified that I had done my homework on that issue about how how to measure the rims and how to read the spec numbers on tires. When I bought new tires from them, I took the original wheel and the tire with me. They assured it was correct, and they did match the spec. numbers that I had already figured exactly. Chinese and Indians have been riding moterized bikes similar to my Collegiate for many decades. Shoot, I might end up dumping this build. I don't want to mess up a great condtion, good 'ole American bike. To nice of a bike for that. Way to nice ! As far as restoring it, not much to do. Paint, chrome and SS steel, alloy such as brake calipers and levers were in great shape to start with. I just replaced all the bearings and tires, along with new cables. Bike was bisassembled to the bare frame, every piece has been thuroughly cleaned and polished and lubricated. Basicly just a good clean up and servicing. Thanks for the reply and input !

..... PC .....

 

[Porkchop]

Thanks !

Thanks to all that have posted. Feel free to post more, anyone. All iinfo, thoughts or whatever are greatly appreciated !

..... PC .....

 

[Esteban]

Once, I put the motor in my avatar on the front of a skinny-tired bike. Florida roads were too rough to ride, like that. Plus, you have to go down sandy, limerock roads to get to my house, so no traction. I love the old Schwinns, etc., & don't alter them.

 

[ocscully]

Sheldon Brown on Tire Sizing

Here is a link to what Sheldon Brown has to say about tire sizing methods. http://www.sheldonbrown.com/tire-sizing.html He does a much better job explaining these things than I ever could.

ocscully

 

[Porkchop]

Here is a link to what Sheldon Brown has to say about tire sizing methods. http://www.sheldonbrown.com/tire-sizing.html He does a much better job explaining these things than I ever could.

ocscully

Thanks for doing my work for me. I was going to post that very site. That's where I learned what I know, and so far I've found out his method works quite well.