Let’s see some late 70’s/early 80’s Cruisers and Spitfires

[Captain Pabst]

To each his own, I'm with you but didn't want to pipe up.

Ughhh! I was in a hurry at Home Depot and grabbed a tube after reading the first line on the back that said it was ok for bushings and light duty bearings and didn't read the very next line that said it's not intended for wheel bearings. Thanks for calling that out. I still have three wheels to redo so I will head to the bike shop to get the right grease and then clean out and repack that one when I do the rest.

 

[Captain Pabst]

Today I took apart the seat and seat post. All the little parts were tougher to clean but I soaked them in ketchup for a couple of hours and it really helped get into all the tiny places. After cleaning each set of chrome parts I am putting two coats of Nu Finish to polish and protect them.

 

[Captain Pabst]

Been busy over the holidays and didn't make much progress. Stem parts cleaned up nice though and I am repainting the faceplate (black) as I want more black accents and less white. I was visiting my hometown of Pittsburgh this week and made it to Bicycle Heaven for the first time and spent at least an hour shooting the poop with Craig Morrow about Schwinn parts and racing BMX in the 80s. Such a great guy. His collection is incredible but I wasn't expecting the amount of parts he has everywhere. Rooms full of them. I bought some bottom bracket cup sets and will make sure I go back there again next time I am in town. So many amazing rare bikes to look at. Too much to absorb in one visit but I really loved the Cook Bros cruiser he had as inspiration for the kinda look I was going for with my builds.

 

[OzzieO]

I've been rehabbing vintage chrome on cars and bikes for years but never heard of using ketchup & vinegar like mentioned here. What is the function, the acidity?
The results look great and speak for themselves.

 

[piercer_99]

I remember when this was a thread about late 70's and early 80's Chicago built Schwinn Cruisers and Spitfires.

 

[tnyvillegas82]

Here's my 82 with tange forks and Al's Rapid bars. I just need to buy the Sturmey archer 3 speed shifter for the rear hub.

 

[koolbikes]

The Tread Title says it All! ... Let's see some late 70's / early 80's Cruisers and Spitfires.
This is the coaster tread ... NOT ... the 5-speed tread.
Sad thing is there's not a "post-83 Schwinn Cruiser Tread" ... non-USA Built.
All is good though ...

 

[Captain Pabst]

I've been rehabbing vintage chrome on cars and bikes for years but never heard of using ketchup & vinegar like mentioned here. What is the function, the acidity?
The results look great and speak for themselves.

White vinegar instead of water as the lubricant when using aluminum foil. Yes the acidity helps dissolve some of the grime and loosen things up a bit. Ketchup on parts where you need to let it sit for a while since its sticky and will not run or drip off. For really rusty and grimy small parts I put them in a plastic container coated with ketchup and let them sit overnight before scrubbing.

 

[Captain Pabst]

The Tread Title says it All! ... Let's see some late 70's / early 80's Cruisers and Spitfires.
This is the coaster tread ... NOT ... the 5-speed tread.
Sad thing is there's not a "post-83 Schwinn Cruiser Tread" ... non-USA Built.
All is good though ...

I was torn about even starting to post my builds here knowing they are late 80s and not USA built. If it's seriously offending people I can take it elsewhere. Any suggestions on a better place to post would be appreciated.

 

[coasterbrakejunkie1969]

White vinegar instead of water as the lubricant when using aluminum foil. Yes the acidity helps dissolve some of the grime and loosen things up a bit. Ketchup on parts where you need to let it sit for a while since its sticky and will not run or drip off. For really rusty and grimy small parts I put them in a plastic container coated with ketchup and let them sit overnight before scrubbing.

I was torn about even starting to post my builds here knowing they are late 80s and not USA built. If it's seriously offending people I can take it elsewhere. Any suggestions on a better place to post would be appreciated.

This is all great stuff but note really supposed to be posting on this thread. This thread is for pics and short descriptions of coaster brake models. You can start your own post right in the all things Schwinn forum or find another post about these bikes and post there. No worries we all appreciate the info and pics of your bikes. Sticking to the appropriate topic makes it less confusing.