Just found a 1953 Schwinn Spitfire on Facebook

[goldwood]

I was on Facebook market place and found this bike listed. Everything seems original except the grips. I am surprised that I had the opportunity to purchase it because I am usually caller number two! I have not even had a chance to hose it down with soap and water. The granddaughter told me that the bike was hanging from their garage ceiling for about 40 years

When the hot weather gives us a break I plan on doing a thorough cleanup. The question I have is how do you clean the oxidation on the paint without ruining the pinstriping?

 

[Lookn4bikes]

I wash with dawn then use a spray wax/cleaner like Schwinn equipment polish or DuPont motorcycle polish.

 

[AS-1]

Niiiice! Are there two holes in the top of the front fender?

 

[AS-1]

Everything seems original except the grips.

According to the 1953 Schwinn Dealer catalog, your Spitfire would have come equipped with a skip tooth sweetheart sprocket in both the standard and the DeLuxe models. If yours was bored to receive a Torpedo headlight then it is a DeLuxe. What is the serial number on your bike?

 

[Wolfmac]

I’ve used these products recently with good results but there are many cleaning waxes on the market at your local auto parts store that will do just fine. Be sure and start with cool surfaces and allow the compounds to do the cutting. Don’t lean into it with force and your stripes will be fine.

 

[goldwood]

According to the 1953 Schwinn Dealer catalog, your Spitfire would have come equipped with a skip tooth sweetheart sprocket in both the standard and the DeLuxe models. If yours was bored to receive a Torpedo headlight then it is a DeLuxe. What is the serial number on your bike?

Yes, it has two holes on the front fender. A17847

 

[goldwood]

According to the 1953 Schwinn Dealer catalog, your Spitfire would have come equipped with a skip tooth sweetheart sprocket in both the standard and the DeLuxe models. If yours was bored to receive a Torpedo headlight then it is a DeLuxe. What is the serial number on your bike?

According to the 1953 Schwinn Dealer catalog, your Spitfire would have come equipped with a skip tooth sweetheart sprocket in both the standard and the DeLuxe models. If yours was bored to receive a Torpedo headlight then it is a DeLuxe. What is the serial number on your bike?

A17847. Also it has painted striped wheels instead of chrome.

 

[HARPO]

Gentle use of rubbing compound... then polish... then wax.

Just using wax does nothing to bring back shine. It's only a protectorate.

 

[goldwood]

Niiiice! Are there two holes in the top of the front fender?

Yes

 

[GTs58]

Having the 1/2" pitch chain and sprockets was a common change for the 1" drive during this time. Schwinn was phasing out the 1" and by the end of 1954 it was gone.
If you can find some blue masking tape the size of the pins, I'd cover the pins so a good rubbing can clean off the dead red paint.