1947 Continental Cleanup

[SirMike1983]

Schwinn changed the steerer tube gauge for the 1966 models so the stems had an insertion dia. of 21.1. Were the road bikes exempt from this change? I know the Varsity was not and it takes the smaller dia. stems.

Not sure. Something that should be checked comparing the S stem versus the steerer. If it's a no-go, time to try a different stem. I know Traveler steerers and stems did change as well.

 

[WillWork4Parts]

Schwinn changed the steerer tube gauge for the 1966 models so the stems had an insertion dia. of 21.1. Were the road bikes exempt from this change? I know the Varsity was not and it takes the smaller dia. stems.

I do think the S stems I have are 21.1mm, but the higher end lightweights still used whatever they wanted...as my Supersport has the 22.2mm steer tube. The Pivo and Sprint stems can also be found in 22.2mm diameter. You gotta find the guy that knows how to properly measure and advertise with those sizes on eBay though.

...or use a shim to make it fit the original Continental steer tube... and install it under the later model headset top nut to be a little stealthy about it. You usually have to file the Wald shims in order for them to fit under the nut though.

 

[Miq]

Seat stay welds looked ok to me.

I’m happy to find that the fork looks like it would accept a 22.2 mm quill. That would open up a lot more stem possibilities. The tall Nitto one looks like a good candidate.

I tried this 22.2mm stem I had in my stash. It only went down so far, but the tube is ovalized and bent, so it’s getting hung up. We’ll see what it’s like when it comes back from Nate.

Final polish of the OG chainring and cranks. The non-drive side crank arm suffered the most corrosion.

Mock up.

It’s a lot easier to stash the frame safely in the studio without the chainring on it.

 

[Miq]

This Nitto MT-10 looks tall enough and light. It has a 3" reach (80mm)

 

[SirMike1983]

Nitto's bars and stems are really well made. If that one fits, it probably would look pretty nice on that frame.

 

[Miq]

I saw another tourist bar I want to mention. Velo Porteur Handlebar is similar in style to the Schwinn bars. Really flat with only 15mm rise.

48cm width is a little narrow...

I'm still leaning toward these Velo Tourist Handlebars with a little more rise (70mm) and width (57cm)

The Velo Tourists seem like they're in between the super flat OG Continental bars and the post war tourist bars.

 

[SirMike1983]

Porteur bars typically are flat and narrow because they were used on delivery bikes in sometimes crowded streets, and parked in the back of the shop. I think the tourist looks more comfortable, at least to me.

 

[GTs58]

These are the same spec as the late 50's and early 60's lightweight and middleweight bars.

 

[Miq]

I'm not putting a basket on this bike no matter how hard you try to convince me Gary...

 

[GTs58]

I'm not putting a basket on this bike no matter how hard you try to convince me Gary...

You're going to miss out big time! Those aren't just any old baskets, these are the exact pieces that are part of Schwinn's history and were appraised @5K each on Pawn Stars!