My New '76 Continental :-)

[jnewkirk77]

I was warned ... and sure enough, it's true: Schwinns do multiply.

Meet my "new" '76 Continental.

I've not yet begun to clean it up, but it appears to be all there, and everything works. In talking to the seller, I learned that he bought it four years ago and rode it to and from his home to the University of Louisville, where he recently graduated. After he and his fiancee moved to the east end of town, he put it aside and, now that they're moving, decided to part with it.

I'm planning to clean it up and touch up some of the worst rusty spots, as well as change tires. I'm also 99% sure I'm going to convert it to tourist bars. I think that will make for a much more friendly (at least for my back!) commuter bike.

 

[Metacortex]

Very nice. What are the frame and badge numbers?

 

[jnewkirk77]

Very nice. What are the frame and badge numbers?

Serial # is CM559963, badge # is 1666 ... does that make it a beast? :eek:

 

[Metacortex]

Serial # is CM559963, badge # is 1666 ... does that make it a beast? :eek:

That means the frame dates from March 1976 (CMxxxxxx), however it was painted and built into a bike on Monday June 14th, 1976. Note that it was normal at that time for Schwinn to build up and store frames for several months (or even years in some cases) in advance of building them into bikes.

 

[jnewkirk77]

That means the frame dates from March 1976 (CMxxxxxx), however it was painted and built into a bike on Monday June 14th, 1976. Note that it was normal at that time for Schwinn to build up and store frames for several months (or even years in some cases) in advance of building them into bikes.

That's about what I'd figured - I wasn't sure if it was June 14 or 15. Thanks!!!

 

[Schwinn499]

Nice! Sierra Mist is on my hit-list. Dig thr chrome fork.

 

[jnewkirk77]

Nice! Sierra Mist is on my hit-list. Dig thr chrome fork.

Thanks! I really lucked into this one. It just happened that my wife and I were heading to Louisville on Tuesday and this bike was on CL. The seller was really nice and it made him happy to send it to a good home. I'm going to enjoy it!

 

[Schwinn499]

Thanks! I really lucked into this one. It just happened that my wife and I were heading to Louisville on Tuesday and this bike was on CL. The seller was really nice and it made him happy to send it to a good home. I'm going to enjoy it!

Always cool when someone can appreciate who they're selling their stuff too. I have a few bikes that once I told the owners what my plans for the bike were, they were glad they were selling it to me.

 

[jnewkirk77]

Always cool when someone can appreciate who they're selling their stuff too. I have a few bikes that once I told the owners what my plans for the bike were, they were glad they were selling it to me.

I liked this guy right away - as I did the guy who I bought my Racer from. I promised to send pics once I get it dolled up and start riding it to work.

 

[Schwinn499]

I liked this guy right away - as I did the guy who I bought my Racer from. I promised to send pics once I get it dolled up and start riding it to work.

Yep, have done that a few times as well. Its always nice to email them finished pics. Feels good for both ends. The guy I bought this racer from wanted to buy it back.