I took my Schwinn Caliente apart

My friend said they put the lock ring and stuff backwards when we took it apart. There was gunk everywhere. I'm thinking about converting it to a fixed/ss for fun. Everything I have on this bike is stock. Going to take the paint off and paint it teal and the lugs white. I have been saying this for the past 2 years. I'm finally doing it...in winter. I picked a great time haha.

Going to get new cranks, pedals, brakes, and wheels.
I think I have to find a bottom bracket for it but I did some searching online and some have said they don't make bottom brackets that fit those bikes anymore. What? is this true?
Finding wheels might also be an issue..maybe? the bike has 24" wheels. steel rims so they don't stop in the rain or with those orange brake pads. Would I just get a custom rim?

I see some rust. Is there a way to remove some of it? What kind of degreaser can I use for the old grease that was used on the bike? What kind of grease shoudl I get when I put the bike back together?
I feel like I ask questions lots of people should already know :/

The bike in destruction progress

Attachment 15688


other: my dad wants to build me a portable repair stand. Is that even worth it or should I just buy one? They are pretty spendy. I looked on instructables for repair stands and some of them are pretty nice.

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Originally Posted by amyp

I'm thinking about converting it to a fixed/ss for fun.

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In the picture is see semi-horizontal dropouts. That's great for a fixie/ss! Not great for a modern geared hub.

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Originally Posted by amyp

Going to get new cranks, pedals, brakes, and wheels.
I think I have to find a bottom bracket for it but I did some searching online and some have said they don't make bottom brackets that fit those bikes anymore. What? is this true?

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In the picture it looks like the bike likely has a standard "English" threaded bottom bracket. A bike of that age would have had a "loose ball" BB design with a spindle and two "cups" (and a lock ring). Today you'd replace that with a cartridge. Select your cranks before buying a BB! (Cranks determine what BB spindle width and type you need.)

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Originally Posted by amyp

Going to take the paint off and paint it teal and the lugs white.

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Originally Posted by amyp

I see some rust. Is there a way to remove some of it?

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Sandpaper, wire rush, or sandblast. The latter is also a good way of removing paint.

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Originally Posted by amyp

What kind of degreaser can I use for the old grease that was used on the bike?

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Lots of choices. I'm somewhat fond of Simple Green and an old toothbrush.

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Originally Posted by amyp

What kind of grease shoudl I get when I put the bike back together?

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Go to a bike shop and see what they sell.

I am curious as to what you will end up with for wheels. I hope you keep this thread alive with updates on what you are doing.

Attachment 15697

hooray got all the paint off today. sanding tomorrow!

Nice! How do you plan on painting it? And most importantly, what color? :)

Any luck with figuring out what to do about wheels?