Buster1
Wore out three sets of tires already!
Kram,
A couple points.
Look at this page: http://www.angelfire.com/rant/allday101/SchwinnCodes1.html
According to this (if your serial number is on the left rear dropout), you could have a '52, '53, or a '57. Some of the Schwinn numbering systems from back then overlapped letters, causing us confusion today. If it says Mark II on the chainguard, I'd probably believe that and agree with Hiawatha and that it's a 56-58...or in your case...a '57! EDIT: If your Chainguard says Mark IV, than the frame was (is still) a '57, but not built for a while and eventually built up as a '58 model at the factory. Much like cars today that are built in 2010, but sold as a 2011 year model.
I am not positive on cable routing by year. I just finished up (almost) my '59 Jaguar and it looks pretty much like the detailed schematic above. Though my tank was NOS and that caused me to do some MAJOR grinding and sanding to clear the cable stop from the tank braces inside. My shifter cable exits the stop right at the tank brace. I had to move it a little and shave some metal off the brace to allow for clearance. Check and see if you have a notch cut out of the right-side (underside) of the tank right half. If it has one, and the tank is original, that points to a shifter cable being routed thru the tank to the pully on the seat tube (as in later models, late '50s models). Let us know what you find.
As for rust cleanup. 0000 Steel or Brass wool and WD-40 works well, or better yet...lather the whole thing with Naval Jelly and wait an hour. Rinse off with water and a rag and it will look new.
Nate
A couple points.
Look at this page: http://www.angelfire.com/rant/allday101/SchwinnCodes1.html
According to this (if your serial number is on the left rear dropout), you could have a '52, '53, or a '57. Some of the Schwinn numbering systems from back then overlapped letters, causing us confusion today. If it says Mark II on the chainguard, I'd probably believe that and agree with Hiawatha and that it's a 56-58...or in your case...a '57! EDIT: If your Chainguard says Mark IV, than the frame was (is still) a '57, but not built for a while and eventually built up as a '58 model at the factory. Much like cars today that are built in 2010, but sold as a 2011 year model.
I am not positive on cable routing by year. I just finished up (almost) my '59 Jaguar and it looks pretty much like the detailed schematic above. Though my tank was NOS and that caused me to do some MAJOR grinding and sanding to clear the cable stop from the tank braces inside. My shifter cable exits the stop right at the tank brace. I had to move it a little and shave some metal off the brace to allow for clearance. Check and see if you have a notch cut out of the right-side (underside) of the tank right half. If it has one, and the tank is original, that points to a shifter cable being routed thru the tank to the pully on the seat tube (as in later models, late '50s models). Let us know what you find.
As for rust cleanup. 0000 Steel or Brass wool and WD-40 works well, or better yet...lather the whole thing with Naval Jelly and wait an hour. Rinse off with water and a rag and it will look new.
Nate
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