Greg T.’s 1971 Schwinn Varsity “Valencia”

Posted

For the past two months or so, the Gallery has been on a vacation of sorts.  Our Theme Weeks took us on a wild ride from continent to continent, but like most overdone vacations, we’ve come home to find a refrigerator full of rotting cabbage.  The refrigerator in this case is my inbox, and the rotting cabbage is the pile of Schwinns that have collecting since late March.  I’m going to spend the next week or so “cleaning out some cabbage”. Please enjoy.

Warning: The following post is “Not What God Intended”

Greg T. sent in this, his 1971 Schwinn Varsity, way back in mid March. For one reason or another, I continually put off posting it.  The OTSG does not, in any way, endorse this kind of brutal maiming of a perfectly fine OTS, but please enjoy the “Before” shot.  

1971 Schwinn Varsity

Fatties and BladesI wouldn't go splitting lanes with wingspan like that.Honey, do these tires make me look fat?Still a Varsity at heart.

I picked this up in a bike shop in Troy, OH. It was in pretty rough shape. Most all of the components were shot as well as the wheels. So I decided to give it new life as a single speed.

I added some blacked out wheels with bigger tires, switched out the crank and sprocket, and added a new seat and set of bars. The orange paint really pops after a good clean and wax. I understand if you don’t want to include this in you gallery, since technically it is only a single speed now, but it is what it is…

Thanks Greg

Related posts:

  1. James T’s Sportslife 10-Speed
  2. Eduardo V’s 1984 Raleigh Corsa
  3. Lucas’ Royce Union Supreme 10
  4. Julie S’s 1982 Austro Daimler Puch
  5. Justin C’s 1988 Peugeot Marseille
  • http://www.wrn.com Bob H.

    Nice job with the conversion. Yes, the paint really does pop. Looks like a fun bike to ride as well.

  • http://www.blogger.com/profile/0608863915369744969 Doohickie

    Let’s see some more Varsities! Gotta love ’em.

  • Joe B.

    No offense… But – OH, gross. 🙁

  • Mark M

    I’m not a fan of fixed gear or single speeds, but for some reason I like that, fatties rock. Nice job….

  • Andrew

    I really love the way Schwinn blended the radii(ground welds I’m guessing) on their tube joints. Original paint looks immaculate.

  • bob

    polo bike? Looks sharp.