73ish Red Speedster

[altarr]

So I just picked up the bike portion of my new project.

Speedster

I know a couple of people have put engines on these, was wondering if anyone had any specific experiences/do's dont's/watch out fors etc. I expect to begin work on it this week.....

anyone???

 

[Happy Valley]

Steel frame, rim brakes, chrome fenders, what's not to like?
Only weak spot might be the Sturmey Archer hub.

BTW, Is that a typo or are you the oldesr member here? LOL

 

[altarr]

"Sturmey Archer hub"

is that the three speed internal thingy?

why is it weak?

 

[Happy Valley]

Maybe it won't be, I think I was thinking coaster brake. They are a complicated click pawl pile of little parts and kinda lightweight.

What kind of engine/mount have ya got in mind?

 

[Esteban]

That vintage bike would sell fro $100-150 around, here, so if you modify it, it's lost its value. PLUS the skinny tires are gonna ride rough. A " Cruiser ' type is a better choice.

 

[RMWdave]

for sure you are going to want some wider rubber underneath. other than that it should make for a nice mb if done with care! an old trick i learned to restore (and preserve) old bikes is to give them a good wipe down with light machine oil.

 

[Happy Valley]

Standard tires on Schwinns of that era are 26 x 1.5 which offers plenty of rubber.
One of my favorite MBs has 700c tires which equates to roughly 1.37" and it handles extremely well with low rolling resistance.

 

[altarr]

i take it 1.5 is inches?

seeing as how the tires (and brake pads) are original, I was going to replace them......something about riding around at 20(ish) mph on almost 40 year old rubber really doesnt settle the mind.

so you say 1.5 is good to ride on?

 

[altarr]

That vintage bike would sell fro $100-150 around, here, so if you modify it, it's lost its value. PLUS the skinny tires are gonna ride rough. A " Cruiser ' type is a better choice.

well, the bike is sturdier than any of the walmart/target/chinese **** that is out there today. its an absolute beast as far as construction goes.

the engine etc goes on with out any permanent modification, so value really isnt a problem....not to mention the build issues i just spoke of....I would rather ride on something solid than pick up a cruiser from walmart and have the front fender relocate to my spokes at 20 mph. From what I have read, that doesnt end well.

 

[Esteban]

The standard tire for that Schwinn is 1 3/8, for Schwinn S-6 rims, not regular 1 3/8.
http://www.geocities.com/sldbconsumer/1973/73ccpg04.html