UPDATE (11/01/2011): This just in! Stevie requested that I update his Free Spirit with a picture of it’s most current configuration, which I have. Holy King Snake Batman!

Stevie J (formerly DirSirColon) submitted this Sears Free Spirit some time ago, and I’m only now getting around to posting it due to the frustration I got from a lengthy trip from one end of these handlebars to the other, only to end up in essentially the same location.

Sears fully lugged burgundy steel frame-made in Taiwan.(Giant?)  It screamed retro, but begged for rebirth.  Cottered crank replaced by Sugino two piece-as well as bars, seat and steel rims.(26 inch to 27 inch)  Suntour drive train that includes both derailluers and stem shifters.  Yard sale find with minimal cost yet monsterous potential…..”I should have a mental evaluation, or at least a credit check!”  And always, age appropriate. I want to ride my bicycle, I want to ride… Stevie J.

Bradley G’s 1978 Schwinn Varsity.

1978 Schwinn Varsity, Got it for a song from a neighbor. Was in rough but rideable shape when I got it. Cleaned the crap out of it, New STA TRU alloy rims, custom 13-28t 5 speed freewheel, cork/gel handlebar tape, Raleigh “shorty” fenders. Other than that bike is original. The rims made the biggest difference, who says you can’t keep up on a Varsity?

Mike B’s 1981 Schwinn Continental. Enjoy.

This is an ’81 Schwinn Continental, purchased for $10 from a local garage sale.  It wasn’t for sale but it really doesn’t hurt to ask.  I stripped it down to the bearings and started over.  The frame has the original decals and paint.  The black paint is a little chipped but polished nice.  The decals are peeling, and crackling but add just such a cool personality that I had to keep them.  Most of the bike is original (even the chain)!  In the interest of performance, the cables were changed to Jagwire SID blue.  All my bikes have the same cables and color.  It’s a bit of an obsession.  I added Jag brake pads and Serfas road tires, new tape and saddle of course.  I had to drill in the water bottle holders.  Yes, those are Shimano SPD’s in the picture.  A little old, a little new.  It gets some looks and turns some heads when I take it out among the high price bikes that’s for sure.  This was my first restoration.  At first I wanted to flip it when I got it.  Now I think I have to keep it around, way too cool to ride!  The first day on the road was 35 miles.  The second ride will be through Michigan’s Upper Peninsula for a couple hundred miles.

Ross E’s 1987 Panasonic Sport 500. Dig the wood pile!

Hey OldTenSpeed! It’s Ross E. – I submitted the Trek 560 a while back:

http://oldtenspeedgallery.com/owner-submitted/ross-es-1984-trek-560

I recently came across this 1987 Panasonic Sport 500 at Riches Recycled in Randolph, VT and I couldn’t resist As far as I can see, everything is original, drive is really smooth.  Needed to be degreased quite a bit, but after an hour or so of cleaning, it was pretty much good to go. For added flare, I’m keeping the old nasty bike lock that came on the seat post…that, and I don’t have the combination to the lock.  Thanks for taking a look!

-Ross E.

Happy Monday! Here is Dutch’s Free Spirit Sovereign chillin’ at the Gate.

Mid 80s? Free Spirit Sovereign

A little bit about it:

I picked this bike up in a two for $30 deal. I’ve cleaned it up, replaced the tires, tubes, seat, seat post and wrap. It’s my very first road bike and I hope to put many miles on it.