The Schwinn lightweight that never was.

[AmericanSchwinnfiend]

It was deceptively difficult to have an "all USA-made" lightweight. If you wanted a three speed hub, the common option was the Sturmey Archer AW, even before WWII. New Departure had two and three speeds, but they were much less common on the lightweights than the AW. In the 1950s, it became even harder to have an all USA-made lightweight when Schwinn converted to Phillips and then Weinmann brake calipers and levers. The Weinmann parts were relatively inexpensive to source, lightweight, and pretty effective for their time. Eventually the Torrington spokes gave way to the Union spokes. And the chains became foreign-made.

Industry in the US certainly had the ability to make good bicycle components for lightweights, but it was often more profitable to use certain imported components on the lightweights.

The Schwinn family were particular about component quality. They would prefer higher quality and continuous supply so they would often drop American suppliers because of inconsistent quality or wholesale costs. Union and Weinmann were both Continental European and actually Germanic, and produced high quality and consistant reliability products, as was the Schwinn business model.

 

[Schwinny]

Now that I've finished my Winter project two months early, I guess I'll just have to clean and nit-pic my other bikes....

We're still not definitive on the origins of this head badge, but within imagination brought to life, the Schwinn All-American now lives !!
The only parts on this that are not Schwinn and/or American made, are the 1990s Duro red stripe tires. Even the tubes are retro 1960s, made in the US Schwinn branded.

Along the theme and level of the cantilever American from the late 50s early 60s, I decided to keep the look and equipment subdued.
Hard to tell that a good piece of this bike is a 1970s Super Sport and Suburban.
All steel except for the stem arm and front hub shell, as-is, it weighs in at over 45 lbs. Definitely a momentum bike.
Finer points are the double adjustable stem, Torrington 8 pedals and the overdrive bendix 2 speed rear hub.
It will have to sit in the back room till Spring. Can't ride it around with all the salt on the streets and paths.

 

[Schwinny]

Got it out on its maiden voyage today, went about 10 miles. 63 degrees and sunny is quite difference from a week ago when it was 17 degrees and we got 4" of snow in a blizzard.... Whew.

Put an English "approved " tail bag on it with tire tube, tools and a rag, just in case.
Very smooth ride and pretty easy on a flat. Anything going up hill demands some effort or standing up. The 48/20t gearing is ok for 1st gear but when that overdrive 2nd is kicked in, this thing strides. It really moves out. The brake works great and easily locks up the rear tire if needed. According to the radar display under the speed limit sign a block away, all-out full boogy in second is worth 28mph.... Zoom.

It was a bit noisy at first and I was disappointed, but once the new diamond chain was worn in a bit and the planetaries in the rear set in, it quieted down to an acceptable level.
Been thinking I might get some lower rise vintage Schwinn handlebars and raise the stem a bit, but other than that and a couple small particulars, I'm happy with it.

I've got some red, white and blue streamers for the handgrips and a couple 5" flags on dowels for the rear fender stays. This will be my 4th of July and parade bike. Now I need an appropriate bell.