Happy Memorial Day: Joe B’s Patriotic 1986 Schwinn Varsity

Posted

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

Related posts:

  1. Righting the SS OTSG With Some Good Old Crappiness: Ryan N.’s Columbia Dream Machine
  2. Ruthie’s Miyata Crayola and Its Fancy Aero Levers
  3. Jeff P’s 1973 Schwinn Varsity
  4. Patrick’s 1978 Schwinn Continental II
  5. Barney’s Roadmaster Pro Tour
  • Joe B.

    Cameron… Thanks so much for posting this on Memorial Day. It’s my small tribute to those who gave all. I salute you. 🙂

  • http://www.wrn.com Bob H.

    You know, say what you will about steel rims – weight, non-existent wet braking – the suckers are just about bomb proof. Nice Varisty!

  • http://hubnride.blogspot.com/ hub ‘n ride

    I’m looking a brake lever like yours…
    i should try flea market

    nice bike

  • Doug W.

    Nice Varsity. Thanks for the Schwinn catalog link. I’ve determined the Collegiate frame I found in a trash pile is an ’84 (also mfg by Giant). I’m working up a single speed now (since there were no wheels or deraillers or necessary details).

  • http://hughsbicycle.blogspot.com Hugh

    Does it have the FF system crank? I never realized that Schwinn did a lugged frame Varsity. And if it has the FF system. That would probably make it the most unique (and maybe someday the rarest)of all the Varsitys. Very interesting bike you have there 🙂

    • Joe B.

      Yep…FF system crank. The owner of my LBS just shook his head in disbelief. He called it one of the worst systems ever. Then he really flipped when I told him a kid drove almost 100 miles to buy it. I don’t keep them – I just refurbish & resell them. Back problems – I can’t ride that style bike without real pain. Need a hybrid.

  • http://hughsbicycle.blogspot.com Hugh

    The last one of those (bike with FF) I restored. The only thing that I didn`t remove was the rear derailleur and the hard-wire shift cable. I`ll give one one guess what snapped? Fortunately the new owner was able to locate a correct replacement wire/cable. The repair was simple. My biggest fear was that we would not be able to locate the correct replacement cable. Thank God for E-Bay

  • older1

    Thanks for your service to America, Joe!

    Good thing you didn’t lean a Louisville Slugger against it, lay a well-worn glove holding a baseball below it next to a pair of old Converse high-tops, or we’d probably go into patriotic nostalgia overload!

  • Brian Mullin ‘White Horsy’

    I am looking for a 1986-Schwinn Varsity Deluxe, with Positronic/Integer Shifter/Gearing. Is this for Sale? Thank You. Brian E. Mullin, in SW-IA e-mail: mullgrafcomm@hotmail.com