Complete rebuild?

[wolfak]

I bought a 76 Schwinn Varsity 10-speed at a garage sale yesterday. It has all the original Schwinn components. It's been beat to hell, the odometer says 920 miles, but has been failing for quite some time.

I have two bikes that suit my commuting and recreational needs. I think it might be fun for touring, except it's heavy as hell, and I'm a grad student, so I don't really get any fun.

I'm trying to figure out where to start and where to go with it. Anyone? :confused: I bought wheels and tubes for starters, but each wheel needs truing to be of any use. I think I will take them down to the LBS. Basically, I'm a little toolie when it comes to basic repairs, and thought this would be a fun learning experience for me without letting me fubar my good girls.

[DebW]

Heavy as hell is right. But you should be able to make it functional. It has a 1-piece steel crank and takes a seat post and stem size that may be hard to find.

[Trek420]

but built up could look like this: :D

http://velospace.org/node/11840

or this one right here

http://forums.teamestrogen.com/showthread.php?t=21564

[wolfak]

but built up could look like this: :D

http://velospace.org/node/11840

Hey! That's exactly the bike I have but not in as good of shape. I also have a Schwinn odometer/speedometer which I think I will make into a little clock and a dynamo for the lights.

I will keep looking to see what people have done! :cool:

[madscot13]

perhaps heavy as hell does not matter when touring. you are already adding so much weight to the bike, what are a few pounds?

[uforgot]

I had a Schwinn Suburban as my first fix me up. Heavy as hell doesn't quite cover it. My next bike was a Nishiki mixte which felt like it was half the weight of the Schwinn (and that's saying something...those Nishikis aren't lightweights by any means!). I loved it though and the weight really didn't matter as I used it as a commuter. You will learn a LOT!

The best resources that I have found:
DebW
bicycletutor.com
Sheldon Brown
Big Blue book of bicycle repair
Park tool website

Have a blast!