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My $20 Schwinn Continental...

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HARPO

Cruisin' on my Bluebird
Hi all! I haven't been on here lately because I took a break from bike shopping. So, I'm baaaack!

Just picked up this Continental from the original owners brother, who kept listing it and kept lowering the price for the last couple of months. When I happened upon it today, I just couldn't resist, not at that price. And because I haven't had a project in months, $20 seemed like a no brainer to keep me busy for a while.

I haven't even had a chance to look at the number on the head badge, but I know this color was only made for two years in the early 70's. Overall, the usual chips and rust, but nothing terrible that I can't deal with.

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Opaque blue, nice color. 73 and 74. My first adult bike was a kool lemon 73 Conti. Heavy but they ride nice. Enjoy.
 
Opaque blue, nice color. 73 and 74. My first adult bike was a kool lemon 73 Conti. Heavy but they ride nice. Enjoy.

This will be something to keep me busy for the next couple of weeks. Come the Spring, it's off to a new owner. Only Schwinn Continental I'll keep is my 1946. :)
 
Harpo you did great at $20. I recently bought a 73 Continental in Kool Lemon color looking very similar to the shape yours is in for $50. It was a fun project to work on. What’s even cooler is that all the dull chrome will come back 95%+ after 0000 steel wool and Flitz polish.
Here’s mine as found
Before
B55805BB-E019-42AF-BB9E-F45936A06979.jpeg


After

0E0D75B9-9940-45B4-90B4-C755342A8C5E.jpeg
 
Harpo you did great at $20. I recently bought a 73 Continental in Kool Lemon color looking very similar to the shape yours is in for $50. It was a fun project to work on. What’s even cooler is that all the dull chrome will come back 95%+ after 0000 steel wool and Flitz polish.
Here’s mine as found
Before
View attachment 1129502

After

View attachment 1129507

Beautiful job with a lot of work put into it! I love the old yellow Continentals (I've had a few) and yours looks like you'll be keeping it. (I've been buying mainly light weight road bikes, and couldn't believe how heavy this thing is)!

Mine was bought as a detail overhaul project to keep me busy for a while. Next owner will do the routine tune-up (tape, cables, grease, etc.) badly needed along with tires. And on mine, it was subjected to something over the years to make the decals wipe away with just a cleaning. Usually I can do my cleaning and then use a Polishing compound, then Polish, and then Wax and all is good. The decals on the down tube usually just turn yellow, but I have to be careful not to erase them completely like I did on the fork.
 
Thanks. Yes it’s a keeper and my commonly used rider on the trail out here. It may be heavier compared to the new bikes but it rides VERY solid and smooth. I have an aluminum frame hybrid 1/2 the weight of the Continental and the ride is rough and bumpy so I ride the Conti or Le Tour more.

To clean decals use Magic Eraser. It does wonders on the decals and paint.

Before
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After
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Before
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After
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@Ernbar The decals on the bike (mine) are the driest I've ever seen...chalky, actually. I've been working on bikes like this for over 20 years and have never come across this. Check out some of my older Posts... :)
 
A quick detailing so far, but I won't do much more. Next trip will be off to another owner who can replace the cables, tires and grease it all up.
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