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The Schwinn lightweight that never was.

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Schwinny

I live for the CABE
I picked up this head badge from the CABE eBay store a few years back as a knic-knac.
It's been in a box with a couple hundred other head badges socializing and every now and then when going through that box I look at it and muse about making a bike around it.
I've asked around a little and nobody has any idea of it. I've never heard of a lightweight All-american, no one has ever seen one, although I have seen these head badges before and even one on a lightweight frame that was obviously put there as a goof on a not very good example.
This is the only example I've seen in this good of condition.
Rare but not so rare, and since never a bike there was, not so desirable I guess.
If anyone knows the story of these I would sure like to hear it.
Well, the day has come. I'm starting to collect parts to build a bike around it. It's not gonna be half-ass either it'll be a real looker with as many Schwinn and American made parts as can be hung on a lightweight frame.

IMG_20241022_134343471~2.jpg


Should I use this post as a build thread or start a new one in the customs forum?

I'll be using a 1971 Super Sport frame massaged, painted (maybe powdered coated) and decal'd to look mid-century-ish. It will have parts on it from the 40s though the 70s. Color will be either black or white, with red, white and blue theme trim.
Fenders and probably S6 27" wheels with a Bendix 2 speed kickback hub is what I'm thinking right now.

I will permanently mark the bike as a non-original custom but it will be such a looker that it will be a coveted bike long after im gone.

I'm open to suggestions and I will need a few pricey parts. I'm thinking to try and have it finished by Spring. Luckily I have the bins and donation bikes at the collective to get many parts from.
Parts I have right now:
  • Head Badge
  • 71' Super Sport Frame
  • Schwinn-made steel front brake caliper
  • Small flange Schwinn script alum. front hub
  • Bendix yellow band or Aviation 2spd hub
  • Seat post clamp with AS bolt
  • Black Schwinn comfort grips
  • Steel Schwinn high rise tourist handle bars
  • fenders in either chrome with shark fin front or painted with pointed front.

I thought I had the fork but it doesn't quite fit the frame, it turned out to be an inch short. So I'll have to figure that one out. Either find a tall steerer shoulder fork or one size smaller frame. I think the original SS fork is actually French or Japanese made.
 
Last edited:
I picked up this head badge from the CABE eBay store a few years back as a knic-knac.
It's been in a box with a couple hundred other head badges socializing and every now and then when going through that box I look at it and muse about making a bike around it.
I've asked around a little and nobody has any idea of it. I've never heard of a lightweight All-american, no one has ever seen one, although I have seen these head badges before and even one on a lightweight frame that was obviously put there as a goof on a not very good example.
This is the only example I've seen in this good of condition.
Rare but not so rare, and since never a bike there was, not so desirable I guess.
If anyone knows the story of these I would sure like to hear it.
Well, the day has come. I'm starting to collect parts to build a bike around it. It's not gonna be half-ass either it'll be a real looker with as many Schwinn and American made parts as can be hung on a lightweight frame.

View attachment 2126038

Should I use this post as a build thread or start a new one in the customs forum?

I'll be using a 1971 Super Sport frame massaged, painted (maybe powdered coated) and decal'd to look mid-century-ish. It will have parts on it from the 40s though the 70s. Color will be either black or white, with red, white and blue theme trim.
Fenders and probably S6 27" wheels with a Bendix 2 speed kickback hub is what I'm thinking right now.

I will permanently mark the bike as a non-original custom but it will be such a looker that it will be a coveted bike long after im gone.

I'm open to suggestions and I will need a few pricey parts. I'm thinking to try and have it finished by Spring. Luckily I have the bins and donation bikes at the collective to get many parts from.
Parts I have right now:
  • Head Badge
  • 71' Super Sport Frame
  • Schwinn-made steel front brake caliper
  • Small flange Schwinn script alum. front hub
  • Bendix yellow band 2spd rear hub
  • Seat post clamp with AS bolt
  • Black Schwinn comfort grips
  • Steel Schwinn high rise tourist handle bars
  • fenders in either chrome with shark fin front or painted with pointed front.

I thought I had the fork but it doesn't quite fit the frame, it turned out to be an inch short. So I'll have to figure that one out. Either find a tall steerer shoulder fork or one size smaller frame. I think the original SS fork is actually French or Japanese made.

Super Sport fork was Tange, Japan with a chrome cap, definitely not All American.

Torrington pedals? Diamond chain? What rims, tires and tubes?

John
 
Super Sport fork was Tange, Japan with a chrome cap, definitely not All American.

Torrington pedals? Diamond chain? What rims, tires and tubes?

John
Rims will be S6 but the tires and tubes will have to be a deviance. I doubt I'll find any usable American made tires or tubes. I have a pair of Duro red stripe sidewall 27's I'll probably use. Most likely have to use modern spokes and nipples also. There will be a few small trade offs but I think 98% will be US.
Yeah... Torrington pedals would be nice. I'd also like a "AS&CO" chainwheel. I'm thinking feather chain guard (pre-war style) and a double adjustable stem.
Of-course, I had the perfect dbl. Adj. Stem but I sold it awhile back. I'll have to buy it back or find another....
 
Rims will be S6 but the tires and tubes will have to be a deviance. I doubt I'll find any usable American made tires or tubes. I have a pair of Duro red stripe sidewall 27's I'll probably use. Most likely have to use modern spokes and nipples also. There will be a few small trade offs but I think 98% will be US.
Yeah... Torrington pedals would be nice. I'd also like a "AS&CO" chainwheel. I'm thinking feather chain guard (pre-war style) and a double adjustable stem.
Of-course, I had the perfect dbl. Adj. Stem but I sold it awhile back. I'll have to buy it back or find another....

Make certain the "old vintage" stem (7/8"), fits into the steerer tube and head set nut on the modern fork you might end up using 13/16" .833".

The problem your now having selecting "American Made" parts is exactly the same problem Schwinn had marketing the American model after they received a complaint from the FTC about false advertising. Resulting in the American model name change. Government is always here to help you.

John
 
I think you're somewhat hampered by your choice of frame. I'd look at something like a 1960s Racer frame, or a Collegiate, etc. Granted it's heavier and welded, but the dimensions open up many US-made parts from the 1950-60s like forks, stem, bars, hubs, etc. Part of the problem with the frame you've selected is that it came from a time when Schwinn was sourcing more and more parts to fit it from foreign sources.

If you wanted to go all-out, a New Departure Triple Speed rear hub would be a US-made hub with gears. Otherwise, the Bendix manual or kick back is OK. I like the manual better. Your choice of front hub is good. I think Schwinn-built caliper brakes are also a decent enough choice for the front. Back could be the coaster brake.

Rims, S6 or S6 stainless. Spokes can be Torrington (Dave Stromberger was selling Torrington sets for S5/S6). Tires will probably be Kenda, but it's a small point - not too many choices in 597 size. However, some of the older Sun rims were USA-made. Perhaps there's something like a 650A Sun from when they were made in the USA.

Bottom bracket would be classic one-piece Schwinn if you go with the Racer type frame.

Brake housing and cable would have to be old stock, I believe. Most are made in China or Taiwan now.
 
Can't attest to its authenticity, but had a set of pics in my archives of a bike badged as an All American. Looks to be very much like a pre-war Superior Tourist, with rear-facing rear dropouts and fillet-brazed construction. Some pics attached.

SchwinnBike1.jpg


ScwinnBike2.jpg


Label.jpg


ChainGuard.jpg
 
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