Here’s a special Memorial Day OTS provided by vet’ Joe B in StL, a 1986 Schwinn Varsity.

Sorry to have been away so long. But look what I found! It’s a patriotic red, white & blue 1986 Schwinn Varsity – ironically made by Giant in Taiwan. I replaced the original torn black foam grips with Planet Bike Gel red tape. I also replaced to torn O.E. saddle with a Schwinn Ergonomic saddle, added pure white-wall tires and a red water bottle cage. I also like the fact it has a lugged frame. Here’s a surprise… I found a web page to the exact Schwinn catalog it was advertised in.

http://www.trfindley.com/flschwinn_1981_1990/1986Ltwt24.html

Shifting is done through a Shimano Positron 10 speed system…and it is smooth. Yes, it still has the original steel wheels – no rust. Why an ’86 would still have steel vs. alloy wheels is beyond me. I guess to keep cost down. I’ve always been jealous of Uncle Sam’s 1981 Schwinn Varsity. So, this is my own version of red, white & (cool) blue.

Have fun out there,

Joe B.
Ex-Air Force Jet Engine Mechanic
Vietnam Vet
St. Louis, MO.

Thanks Joe

Ross E’s 1984 Trek 560. Beauty.

Year: 1984
Make: Trek
Model: 560

A little bit about it: I bought this out of some guys garage last summer. He hadn’t ridden it in 10 years – it was like opening a time capsule! Paint was in great shape, just in need of minor repairs. Spent a couple weeks cleaning it. Replaced tubes, tires and bar tape. Bike runs like a top – fast as you want it to be and feather light. This is one of the last models Trek made in the U.S. and is an amazing piece of equipment.

Thanks for taking a look!

-Ross E

Thanks Ross

In celebration of the Giro d’Italia (The Tour of Italy) which ends this Sunday, I’m happy to present this maglia rosa Bianchi Super Sport sent in by Benjamin in Santa Cruz.

If your not aware, the Giro is one of the three Grand Tours of European professional bike racing.  Thanks to the miracle of digital broadcast, this is the first time in my life that I have watched all three as they unfold (last year’s Tour de France, last year’s Vuelta a España, and this year’s Giro),  and I have to say the Giro is by the best stage race I’ve ever watched.  One stage in this years Giro is better the past 5 Tour de France put together.  The drama’s on the road not the post race interview; the routes have been creative and technical; the breaks have stuck; every stage is unpredictable, and the fan-demonium is second to none. Just take a look at these crazy Italians! (Oh, and it seems now, no Grand Tour is complete without a Borat appearance.)

I would highly recommend you find your local broadcast of NBC’s Universal Sports channel and start in enjoying the action. The stages are aired live in the morning, typically 8am CT and then re-aired in the evening usually at 7pm CT.  In the meantime, take a minute and enjoy this little Italian beaut’ below. VIVA IL GIRO!

Lovely Bianchi 12-speed in deep Cherry/Magenta. 50cm frame decked out in non-original bits including absurd aerodynamic brake levers, and coppery foam bar tape. A real looker no doubt, and ready to hit the streets!
Thanks OTSG,
Benjamin in Santa Cruz, CA

Thanks Benjamin

I think—after seeing these two beauties sent in by James B—I can officially go on record and say the 1974ish Le Tour is my favorite Schwinn. I’m not sure what it is about them—the randonneur bars, magnificent pie plates, the best Schwinn decal design ever, or maybe it’s just those cool little chrome fork crown covers.  Or maybe it’s the fact that all these things come to together in this symphony of cool, this ensemble of awesome, this a cappella  of…well, you get what I’m saying.

My third and fourth submissions and the finest so far.

Twin 1974 Schwinn Le Tour LT-3′s. 1974 was the first year for the Le Tour model. Produced in Japan with very high standards, these bikes have literally withstood the test of time. In my book, that makes them classics.

Each one of these bikes was in sad shape when I purchased them. They both needed full restorations. Fortunately, apart from a few scratches, the frames were in good shape with good paint. Each bike was disassembled to it’s basic components. The wheels were completely torn down and each spoke was acid dipped and polished by hand. All bearings were replaced and relubed. The cables, housings, brake pads, tires, tubes, rim strips, handlebar tape, etc were replaced. No labor or expense was spared in making each part like new again. The chains were replaced as well.

These particular frames are not Chro-moly however, I have weighed the 1974 Le Tour frames and compared them to some frames I have like Raleigh Competition GS’s and Super Courses and find very little difference. The bike with the fenders weighs in at a little less than 30 lbs. Not bad considering the original Araya wheels are chromed steel with alloy hubs, steel seat posts and a massive freewheel. I suppose you could cut that down a bit but, why bother. I’m not racing a bike like this. They are fast enough though, capable of leaving most hybrids and mountain bikes in the dust.

There is a certain satisfaction when I ride a bike like this. I know that no one else has one like it, not in my town anyway.

Oh yes, lest we forget the reason why we love these bikes, the fully lugged steel frames and forks ride like a dream! Another bonus, these frames are well suited to touring and they have plenty of mounting points and clearance for fenders and other good stuff. Equally imnpressive is the fact that these bikes came with randonneur style drop bars from the factory.

See yah on the street.

James B

Today’s OTS is sent to us by Sean S.  This is his heirloom 1984 Raleigh Marathon, complete with the hot new bar-wrap/tire-sidewall coordination trend.

My OTS is a 1984 raleigh marathon that sat in the garage and gathered dust after my grandfather passed away in 2002 but 8 years later, my grandmother was cleaning out the garage and was going to get rid of it, i asked her if I could have it and she let me take the bike home.

Thanks Sean