Need lots of help on a 1951 Schwinn.

In my honest opinion, adding a motor to a vintage/antique bike, is hacking. Especially doing this to such a good bike ! Many Schwinns are highly desrireable !! $$$ You said that you also wanted to customize it, too. The wear & tear of a HT bike motor to any bike is damaging. " EASY Bolt-on kits ?" If you think that is what the HT kits are,, you need to read more. If you absolutely must put a motor on it, I suggest what " Terrence " said, above. A rear friction drive kit would be a better && easier installation choice & it can be reverted back to original. Read a little here, & get more info about your bike.
http://www.schwinnbike.com/usa/eng/forums/index.php
 
If you do decide to put any motor on it, make sure you put some good brakes on it (something in addition to the coaster).
 
Also, the rims aren't original or the seat. I would consider this a resto-mod project.

I have most of the paint stripped from the frame tonight. I need some new bearings for where the fork pivots. I don't know how they size them, would I be best off just taking the frame to a bike shop and find some that fit, or is there a specific size I need?

thanks for the help everybody, this will be a fun project.

P.S. if somebody wants to send me 500$ and rescue the bike from me... feel free. :D

but seriously, I think Grandpa will think it's neat.
 
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it's currently a pile of parts now. I stripped most of the paint from the frame last night. I need new fork bearings and wheel bearings. I will probably prime the frame and fork this week. This is fun.
 
To help you get the right parts, info, & everything else to get this bike in top shape,,,, go to the link I supplied above.
 
new bearings -- yes - just to make sure you get the right size - first time

a fast trip to the old bicycle shop would be in order

I understand that many here on site -- order many parts through internet

if the same parts can be had fast at a bicycle shop -- seems the place to go

Ride That Thing - Mountainman
 
My man, I say go for it. There are some truly valuable old bikes out there, but to tell the truth, most old bikes are just old bikes. There are plenty of 50+ year old bikes that were used for what they were supposed to be used for- bikes. Those bikes have wear and tear- like something 50+ years old has when you use it as intended. These bikes have a market value possibly equal to a new cruiser down at Walmart (face it- unless it's both rare and pristine- a sign of regretful non-use, it's not worth any significant money).

Add to that that parts are replaced over time- which they should be when a bike is used, and any collector value is long-since gone. I say that to say this- use it the way you want to use it. Restore it the way you want to restore it. Put the engine on it you want to put on it. Something like your bike has far more value by virtue of providing a hobby and transportation to you than it has just sitting around in its current state. Seems to me your grandfather and great-grandfather would get a hoot out of it being used and enjoyed, mine would.
 
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My man, I say go for it. There are some truly valuable old bikes out there, but to tell the truth, most old bikes are just old bikes. There are plenty of 50+ year old bikes that were used for what they were supposed to be used for- bikes. Those bikes have wear and tear- like something 50+ years old has when you use it as intended. These bikes have a market value possibly equal to a new cruiser down at Walmart (face it- unless it's both rare and pristine- a sign of regretful non-use, it's not worth any significant money).

Add to that that parts are replaced over time- which they should be when a bike is used, and any collector value is long-since gone. I say that to say this- use it the way you want to use it. Restore it the way you want to restore it. Put the engine on it you want to put on it. Something like your bike has far more value by virtue of providing a hobby and transportation to you than it has just sitting around in its current state. Seems to me your grandfather and great-grandfather would get a hoot out of it being used and enjoyed, mine would.

Sounds good.
 
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