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View Full Version : My bicycle - Powdercoated 80s Schwinn


qwikz28
11-18-2011, 06:30 PM
Hello all-

I bought this bicycle two years back while I was living in Queens to get around short distances, but it spawned a love affair. The seller did up old frames into fixies or single speeds in his garage in Astoria and flipped them on Craigslist. Anyways, the bicycle I purchased was a 1980s Schwinn World Sport, here is a mostly original one that someone has on campus:
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-sDId2Sn0S-k/TsH5g6D-rrI/AAAAAAAAAgQ/_rJbNFdK9oY/s640/20111105_113626.jpg
Here is mine how it looked when I got it after I added a new seat, tires, rack, and new brake:
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-AyxfGLBkkSE/Tsb1ubnflfI/AAAAAAAAA3I/5zH2Kjzh-SQ/s640/IMG_0390.JPG
The paint on the bike was rough. It was thin, and scuffed and not very brilliant or resilient. I PM'd Paul at RPM Resto about getting it powdercoated, and he hooked me up in getting the bike in a nice bright white like I wanted. Here is the frame and fork ready for me to reassemble:
https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-t3J5kv4Gtps/TsbxtIVjrbI/AAAAAAAAAg0/fIPlA1lrA9U/s640/IMG_20111007_160242.jpg
And here is the finished product with some new parts and hardware (including the incredibly hipster plaid framepad):
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-UDGplDKBf8I/Tsbwd4Vx1GI/AAAAAAAAAgw/RMtOoOvbtK4/s640/20111118_125010.jpg

A very big thanks to Paul at RPM Resto, he really took care of me and helped me out a bunch. I can guarantee I am one of the more annoying customers to deal with (especially when I showed up hours late to pick it up), but he still took the time to chat and show my cousin around to see the many project cars in the shop. I still want to add white pedals and tires to the bike, as well as a tan leather Brooks saddle, and proper stem spacers. All in all, the bike is gorgeous and I love it. Hope you like the crummy cell phone pics. I'll try and snap a better one when I go for my ride tomorrow.

sweetbmxrider
11-19-2011, 10:20 AM
Looks killer! White spokes and rims would be nuts on it

Blacdout96
11-19-2011, 11:01 AM
I'd rock the hell outta that, looks sweet. Do us a favor, don't put any stickers on it, leave it bare just like that.

HardcoreZ28
11-19-2011, 01:59 PM
Finished (for now) product looks great Jake....great job!

Anti_Rice_Guy
11-19-2011, 02:49 PM
Looks killer! White spokes and rims would be nuts on it

This.

As usual, Paul's work looks great

qwikz28
11-19-2011, 06:26 PM
Thanks guys. I am seriously regretting not painting the wheels while I was at it actually. I may do it next year if I can get my hands on a quality set for a decent price so I can keep these black. And don't worry, besides the Schwinn badge, there will be no other stickers. :)

Might try this in the meantime though, http://www.therimskin.com/index.html

Tru2Chevy
11-19-2011, 08:16 PM
Looks sweet Jake!

My dad still has his old Schwinn Varsity, from early 70s IIRC. It's in pretty poor shape overall, but a set of tires and some chain oil are all it needs to be a daily rider. Always thought about fixing it up for the hell of it.This is not his, but this frame is exactly what he has:

http://i.ebayimg.com/t/VINTAGE-SCHWINN-VARSITY-ROAD-BIKE-FRAME-AND-FORK-/09/!Btu1i2gBGk~$(KGrHqIH-CgEvpz7Pq,oBL9KyQOER!~~_3.JPG

- Justin

qwikz28
11-19-2011, 11:05 PM
That's a nice frame Justin. A bit bigger than mine which should suit you quite well. Have you considered building it up to use it? I love building up these old bikes. They have so much character

T69SS
11-20-2011, 09:41 PM
Love the white, awesome bike!

Tru2Chevy
11-20-2011, 10:14 PM
That's a nice frame Justin. A bit bigger than mine which should suit you quite well. Have you considered building it up to use it? I love building up these old bikes. They have so much character

Yea, I have. I used to ride it once in a while, but at this point I don't think it has been ridden at all in 8-10 years. Maybe I'll pull it out this week and snag a couple of quick pics of it. He's got a little generator setup on the rear wheel that you can engage to power a head and tail light on it - wonder if that still works.

- Justin

BonzoHansen
11-20-2011, 10:44 PM
All I think of with Schwinn is this. iirc there was a line "gone with the schwinn". lol
http://www.toughpigs.com/images/anth02augbike.jpg

/hijack

Anti_Rice_Guy
11-21-2011, 08:27 AM
Justin I have my dad's old bike that looks just like that except it's all together and I still ride it :lol: