Schwinn Springer- Steering Tube Question

[WillWork4Parts]

I don't know of any 26" forks reproduced with that diameter steer tube.
Posting a 20" steer tube pic??
I think we need actual pictures of the part in question with dimensions. Maybe the part you have is damaged and won't accept the larger stem?

 

[cruisin_on_my_schwinn]

Is the steerer tube the correct length for a middleweight with a 26 inch tire frame?

The first one measure 7" from below the bottom fork race to the top & its bare steel. The thing that is weird from other steering tubes is that the inside diameter of steering tube was smaller than 13/16. I had to use a drill bit to make opening fit with smaller diameter stem.

I know its hard to see but it measures 7" exactly right under bearing race.

 

[cruisin_on_my_schwinn]

Sorry was just taking photos of 1st springer, i only posted the 20" steering tube as an example of what i meant by casted steering tube

 

[cruisin_on_my_schwinn]

@WillWork4Parts

 

[WillWork4Parts]

Best I can tell there is a weld at the bottom of the steer tube, indicating that someone welded a longer tube onto the lower "T" section. Schwinn springer steer tubes definitely didn't have an exposed weld like that, they were usually chrome plated to just below the threads. That would explain why the 13/16 stem didn't fit, if someone welded on a tube with too thick of a wall.

 

[cruisin_on_my_schwinn]

That weld is only on one side of tube the other side looks clean. As if that might of just been a small repair not a complete steering tube replacement. Let me upload pics of second steering tube that looks like this one minus weld and this one is chrome plated.

 

[Schwinn Sales West]

I'm not sure what you're asking. You want to add a "non original" spring fork, but do not want any parts to be "incorrect" on your bike.

It's my understanding that Schwinn used the newer forged style spring fork steer tubes (pivot bolt through the fork leg) right up until they were forced to go to the thicker steer tubes on all forks. The thicker steerer tubes required the thinner 13/16" handle bar stems in place of the older 7/8" handle bar stems.

Since spring forks were a low production part, it made no sense for Schwinn to pay for new forging dyes to meet the new CPSC standards for steerer tube thickness. It was at this time they switched to the fabricated (welded) steerer tubes on all three chrome spring fork sizes, 20", 24" (Krate), and 26" wheel sizes. Many of these forks were sold in the Schwinn aftermarket parts program, and dealers offered them as accessories well into the 1980's.

John

 

[cruisin_on_my_schwinn]

I'm not sure what you're asking. You want to add a "non original" spring fork, but do not want any parts to be "incorrect" on your bike.

It's my understanding that Schwinn used the newer forged style spring fork steer tubes (pivot bolt through the fork leg) right up until they were forced to go to the thicker steer tubes on all forks. The thicker steerer tubes required the thinner 13/16" handle bar stems in place of the older 7/8" handle bar stems.

Since spring forks were a low production part, it made no sense for Schwinn to pay for new forging dyes to meet the new CPSC standards for steerer tube thickness. It was at this time they switched to the fabricated (welded) steerer tubes on all three chrome spring fork sizes, 20", 24" (Krate), and 26" wheel sizes. Many of these forks were sold in the Schwinn aftermarket parts program, and dealers offered them as accessories well into the 1980's.

John

Sorry for the confusion, I want to add an Original Springer fork with casted steering tube to a post 1965 smaller diameter stem Schwinn. My question is did Schwinn produce a 26" small diameter casted steering tube. By casted steering tube i mean like the one in this photo

Not the welded style steering tube of the early 80s. I have two steering tubes that do fit smaller diameter stems but one i had to bore to 13/16 to accept a smaller diameter (13/16) stem. So i am unsure of these two stems if theyre actual schwinn parts or really good copies

 

[Schwinn Sales West]

Sorry for the confusion, I want to add an Original Springer fork with casted steering tube to a post 1965 smaller diameter stem Schwinn. My question is did Schwinn produce a 26" small diameter casted steering tube. By casted steering tube i mean like the one in this photo

View attachment 1831734

Not the welded style steering tube of the early 80s. I have two steering tubes that do fit smaller diameter stems but one i had to bore to 13/16 to accept a smaller diameter (13/16) stem. So i am unsure of these two stems if theyre actual schwinn parts or really good copies

If you had a 7/8" steerer tube you would have "to shim" (not bore) it to accept a 13/16" diameter handle bar stem.

Option #1 You can use the early (larger inside diameter) fork with an early handle bar (large diameter) stem.
Option #2 is to use the early fork with the later handle bar stem using a handle bar stem shim (it was a Wald Part).
Option #3 is to use the later fabricated (welded) steerer tube and the later (smaller) handle bar stem. This would also require you to use the later (angle cut) head lock nut which has the smaller hole.

John

 

[cruisin_on_my_schwinn]

@Schwinn Sales West a couple more springer questions since you would be one of the ones to ask.

1) where springers actually made by Schwinn or were they outsourced? And if so who made them?

2) can you tell me how to correctly date a springer?

I know new style forks came out in 1955 with the painted fork legs, it was used on both middleweights and ballooners and ran up untill 1962. Then in 1963 the all chrome springer came out on the Jaguars and ran up to somewhere in the 60s or maybe 70s. IMO The previous 1955-1962 style fork looked wider and more heavy duty when compared to the all chromed version. The all chromed version from my understanding was only available on middleweights. Then around 1980 Schwinn brought back the 26 Springer for the Cruisers and i think only available for balloners