Last of the Schwinn Racers

[schwinnlax]

Picked up this 1971 Racer today, 24" frame. '71 was the last year for the racer, which seems to have been replaced by the Speedster. In the last year or two the three color decals on the frame were dropped in favor of just plain look. The slanted "RACER" lettering on the chain guard was also replaced with a plain bold face "RACER". What drew me to this bike was condition, price, color, and the fact that '71 was the last year for the Racer, which started in '57, if I recall correctly. In seven years of collecting I never had a red men's frame Schwinn, so it caught my eye. Will need a complete mechanical overhaul, rims trued, etc. but the initial clean up went well.

 

[SirMike1983]

I had a red men's tall frame from the mid-1960s that I eventually sold. Mine had painted fenders rather than chrome. So they are around, but the tall frame bikes are much less common than the standard frame size. That one looks pretty complete and in reasonably good shape. They're great riders.

 

[schwinnlax]

Yes all of the Racer branded bikes had painted fenders throughout the whole run until 1971. In 1965 Schwinn began offering the Deluxe racer with chrome fenders, which remained in the line through 1970. Once the Deluxe Racer was dropped, the last Racer was offered with chrome fenders instead of painted. Since Schwinn switched from 19, 21, and 23" frames in 1970 to 20, 22, and 24" frames in 1971, '71 was the only year the Racer was offered in those frame sizes. I guess that makes two features unique to the 1971 Racer.

They are indeed nice bikes and nice riders. After one test run on the '71 Racer, I can tell I like it better than my (recently acquired) '71 Suburban 3 speed.

 

[kostnerave]

Another unique feature of the '71 Racer are the clear reflector pedals, often robbed by the Sting-ray collectors!

 

[schwinnlax]

Another unique feature of the '71 Racer are the clear reflector pedals, often robbed by the Sting-ray collectors!

Thanks for that info, I did not know that. These pedals are much better (sturdier) than what came on earlier Racers. I replaced the block pedals on my '59 Racer with Schwinn bow pedals. Much more secure pedaling now.

 

[schwinnlax]

Started overhauling the bike. Tire were wrong: 590 BSD instead of 597. I thought they didn't look right when I picked up the bike, but didn't spend much time on it because they were clearly old and needed replacing anyway. Had to cut the tires off. I have no idea how people get these tires on to begin with!

Noticed something I had not before. The bottom bracket has a couple of "creases" in it near the center. When I checked my '71 Suburban, I found the same thing. Anyone know why those creases are there?

 

[GTs58]

I’ve never seen anything like that before either. I don’t normally see the bottom brackets on the 70s bikes. How close is your suburban serial number to the serial number on this? Since the bottom bracket shell is stamped out of a flat piece of steel it probably goes through a couple of stampings and then it’s rolled and electro forged. I would assume the stamping dies were probably worn out or misaligned.

 

[schwinnlax]

I’ve never seen anything like that before either. I don’t normally see the bottom brackets on the 70s bikes. How close is your suburban serial number to the serial number on this? Since the bottom bracket shell is stamped out of a flat piece of steel it probably goes through a couple of stampings and then it’s rolled and electro forged. I would assume the stamping dies were probably worn out or misaligned.

A good question and insights, GT. The serial numbers are close, Race BG062383, Suburban BG027429. So same month with the Racer being later in the month. It does seem that the "crinkle" in the Racer bracket is more significant than the Suburban, which does seem to point to wear of the die.

Here's a picture of the Suburban bracket.

 

[GTs58]

A good question and insights, GT. The serial numbers are close, Race BG062383, Suburban BG027429. So same month with the Racer being later in the month. It does seem that the "crinkle" in the Racer bracket is more significant than the Suburban, which does seem to point to wear of the die.

Here's a picture of the Suburban bracket.

View attachment 2132207

Wow! Huge difference in the length of the chain stay knubs between the two. The metal has really been stretched on the Racer when being stamp for the tubing joints. Time for new dies?

 

[schwinnlax]

Finished overhauling the bike. Wow, forgot what a difference new brake cables make - very smooth action now. I do like the feel of this Racer, 24" frame as compared to the 23" frames from before '71. Handlebars are also the wider, more "upright" Suburban type. As I'm 6' 2", the 24" frame is a better fit for me than 23". It really is a nice rider. Here are a couple of pictures showing the '71 and my '59 Racer. Interesting evolution over that time span.