1979 spitfire 5 chain size

[AS-1]

I think you could find fault with any of the parts suppliers at different times. They all stubbed their toes on various products. One of the worse products came from one of the best companies Campagnolo, when they released their wide ratio Rally Model rear derailer. It had a habit of wrapping the chain around the derailer and sucking the derailer and frame forkend into the moving wheel. This was during this time that Suntour built the absolute best wide ratio rear derailers. In general, I have never had much problem with Suntour products that was not user damaged.

John

I just went out and checked. I have that chain on 4 or 5 of my 80s Chweens and I have never, ever had any trouble with them. In my opinion Shimano has been the Big Dog since the day they opened up the doors.

 

[AS-1]

Hi all, I have a 79 spitfire 5 that I need a chain for. Looking online I see 1/2 inch x 3/32 and 1/2 inch x 1/8. Does anyone know the correct guage chain?

Chain, Part Number 51-001 (Schwinn Approved) was used on the '79 Spitfire Coaster and again on the 1980 Deluxe Cruiser. 51-001 was 1/2" x 1/8" and was referred to as the "Repair Chain." I don't know whether or not the Chain, Part Number 51-027 Uniglide (1/2" x 3/32"), as seen on the 1980 CC-5 Cruiser, was available in 1979 but if it was, they would have used it. I also don't know if the 1979 Spitfire derailleur and the 1980 Cruiser derailleur were different but if they were then you should use the 1/2" x 1/8" chain. Does that sound right?

 

[Schwinn Sales West]

Chain, Part Number 51-001 (Schwinn Approved) was used on the '79 Spitfire Coaster and again on the 1980 Deluxe Cruiser. 51-001 was 1/2" x 1/8" and was referred to as the "Repair Chain." I don't know whether or not the Chain, Part Number 51-027 Uniglide (1/2" x 3/32"), as seen on the 1980 CC-5 Cruiser, was available in 1979 but if it was, they would have used it. I also don't know if the 1979 Spitfire derailleur and the 1980 Cruiser derailleur were different but if they were then you should use the 1/2" x 1/8" chain. Does that sound right?

Not sure I read that correctly but coaster brake bikes used the 1/2" by 1/8" chain with a normal snap type connecting link.

The derailer models five, or ten speeds use the 1/2" by 3/32" chain. It's best to "never use" the (3/32" press together link) connecting link supplied in the chain box. When you cut the new derailer chain to the correct length, just use your chain tool to press out one pin half way, install the chain and press the same pin back in. It's BY FAR A BETTER CONNECTION.

All of the later narrow special chains are a different animal to fit the special applications.

John

John

 

[AS-1]

Not sure I read that correctly but coaster brake bikes used the 1/2" by 1/8" chain with a normal snap type connecting link.

The derailer models five, or ten speeds use the 1/2" by 3/32" chain. It's best to "never use" the (3/32" press together link) connecting link supplied in the chain box. When you cut the new derailer chain to the correct length, just use your chain tool to press out one pin half way, install the chain and press the same pin back in. It's BY FAR A BETTER CONNECTION.

All of the later narrow special chains are a different animal to fit the special applications.

John

John

Not sure I read that correctly but coaster brake bikes used the 1/2" by 1/8" chain with a normal snap type connecting link.

The derailer models five, or ten speeds use the 1/2" by 3/32" chain. It's best to "never use" the (3/32" press together link) connecting link supplied in the chain box. When you cut the new derailer chain to the correct length, just use your chain tool to press out one pin half way, install the chain and press the same pin back in. It's BY FAR A BETTER CONNECTION.

All of the later narrow special chains are a different animal to fit the special applications.

John

John

I'm not sure I wrote it correctly either. I was trying to sort out the transition from US made chain and Shimano chains as it applies to the late 70s and the early 80s. Shimano made the chains for the 1980 CC5. Who would have made the chain for the 1979 5 speed Spitfire?

 

[koolbikes]

I'm not sure I wrote it correctly either. I was trying to sort out the transition from US made chain and Shimano chains as it applies to the late 70s and the early 80s. Shimano made the chains for the 1980 CC5. Who would have made the chain for the 1979 5 speed Spitfire?

1979 Schwinn "Spitfire 5" has same part# ... Pt# 6456

Sedis Cruiser ... 51 046 ... coaster

 

[Schwinn Sales West]

The red and white boxed chain was Union Germany, or in the 3/32 Sedis France. The gold boxed Traveler chains were Taiwan. One thing often overlooked is that Schwinn Used a top quality Sedis 1/2 by 1/8 chain on the Exercisers. Lots of good parts were on the Chicago Made Exercisers for salvage possibilities. John

 

[AS-1]

1979 Schwinn "Spitfire 5" has same part# ... Pt# 6456

View attachment 1974753


Sedis Cruiser ... 51 046 ... coaster
View attachment 1974804

In the Specifications Catalogs, how far back do you find Chain, Part Number 6456 (51-027)? They were using Chain, Part Number 51-070 on Paramounts back in 1970. If that derailleur chain was good enough for a Paramount, why didn't they use it on the 1979 Spitfire? Cost??? Are we witnessing the abandonment of "Made in U.S.A."? Was 1980 the critical pivot point? Or was it just a work in progress driven by economic forces bigger than Schwinn or anybody else?

 

[koolbikes]

In the Specifications Catalogs, how far back do you find Chain, Part Number 6456 (51-027)? They were using Chain, Part Number 51-070 on Paramounts back in 1970. If that derailleur chain was good enough for a Paramount, why didn't they use it on the 1979 Spitfire? Cost??? Are we witnessing the abandonment of "Made in U.S.A."? Was 1980 the critical pivot point? Or was it just a work in progress driven by economic forces bigger than Schwinn or anybody else?

I've always used the Sedis Chain, best quality, everlasting...
Let's see ... Carter ends 1980 ... Reagan 1981 - 1989 ... Reaganomics, have anything to do with it? ... Nah?
Schwinn took pride in being made in U.S.A. Quality ... but did the consumers? ... Hello Japan, Taiwan, etc.

 

[Rusty Klunker]

The red and white boxed chain was Union Germany, or in the 3/32 Sedis France. The gold boxed Traveler chains were Taiwan. One thing often overlooked is that Schwinn Used a top quality Sedis 1/2 by 1/8 chain on the Exercisers. Lots of good parts were on the Chicago Made Exercisers for salvage possibilities. John

And they are always out in the trash looking like they were never used,.. even better.

 

[AS-1]

1979 Schwinn "Spitfire 5" has same part# ... Pt# 6456

View attachment 1974753


Sedis Cruiser ... 51 046 ... coaster
View attachment 1974804

1979 Spitfire.............Chain #6456..................Shimano............Boom!