Stephen S’s 1972 Schwinn Continental

Posted

As if I needed another reason for spotty posting, my current employment may require that I suspend lunchtime posting. It’s unofficial at this time, but if you see new stuff even less than you do now, never fear, I’m not gone. I will post when I can.
Here is Stephan S’s 1972 Schwinn Continental.

Mornin’ Cameron,

Just cruisin through ots with my 12 y.o. son, passing on the passion, and found I had never submitted this old Schwinn.  Hope it meets with everyones approval and hope to get a little input??  I apologize for the following text, it’s copied from my ad, but I wanted you to have all the details.  I rescued this 1972 Schwinn Continental from a garage where it was about to go to the dump, cleaned it up, and posted this on craigs list.  Feel free to gimme an idea what YOU might consider a reasonable price, and I’ll respond and tell you what I priced it at.  I think it’s a great ride, and thats why I wanted to bring it to you, just thought some research from knowledgeable people might be good at the same time.

“This is a complete professional rebuild with all the little touches that make your ride last, Good To Go or Good For Show! This is a beautiful, fully re-conditioned 1972 Schwinn Continental, all original except the seat, (which is period!), and the items I replaced, new tires, tubes, cables, housing, and handle bar tape, which is now, White Cinelli simulated cork, comfy! It’s fully rebuilt, bottom bracket, headset,and both wheel hubs were taken apart, cleaned, repacked, and adjusted, the new tires, (White Wall), and tubes, were entirely coated with powder so the tubes won’t stick to the inside of the tires, should you get a flat. The front and rear derailleurs and brakes were tuned and adjusted. New cables were installed along with new, white, lined cable housing, (cables slide easier and require less maintenance!), complete with housing ferrules and cable ends, (no frayed cable ends!). The frame, while stripped of parts, was cleaned and polished by hand, as were the rims, chainrings, chain guard, crank-arms, and the rear spoke protector, (can’t tell you how many hours were spent doing that, but it shows!). Seat tube and top tube both measure 23 inches, while the “stand over” height is 33 1/2 inches. As I said, this is an absolutely beautiful bike! It is not “flawless”, and I do not mean to represent it as such. The frame does have minor scrathes and chips, as you would expect on a 38 year old bike, but over all, it is gorgeous!”

So there it is.  I did spend forever cleaning and polishing, and I really do think it looks great, but you tell me?!  Any and all comments are welcome and wanted!  Thanks so much for having this great resource, and historical record, of one of America’s greatest past-times!!

Steve

Thanks Stephen

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  2. Herman’s Trident Ten Speed
  3. Doohickie’s 1987 Schwinn Prelude
  4. Robert H’s 1974 Schwinn Continental
  5. Mike V’s 1977 Schwinn Super Le Tour 12.2
  • Bob H

    Nice! I’ll guess you asked $200?

    • older1

      Very nice rescue work on a bomb-proof OTS Schwinn, Steve: that DuPont Imron always responds well to some polish, but visibly rusty patina and pitted chrome could keep the price away from “top dollar” and more like sub-$100 despite your huge amount of labor. You’ve got it looking sharp, though! Please note, the following is meant to inform, not critique:
      If any spoke nipple threads are seized (typically, maybe not yours) to their galvanized-steel spokes, it would detract from its overall value to an experienced buyer, due to spoke breakage when truing rims.
      Also, since the rims are chromed steel, you may also decide to replace the brake pads if they have lost their compliance. The rims could quickly show smeared orange residue and squeal on the first ride, even if they are properly adjusted.
      Unless the buyer is nostalgically motivated to compensate you fairly, you can always expect it to be extremely difficult to recoup your labor fixing up most electro-forged (heavy) OTS Schwinns, at least that’s been my experience.
      I hope you have good luck on your sale!

  • Julie s

    I applaud you servicing so completely. People like shiny things-some mothers aluminum will shine up the stem and calipers like chrome! A little vinegar will help remove the faint rust on the pedal ends. I use turtle wax on the chrome after cleaning. Again great job with the bearings/EVERY bike I’ve found, no matter how clean has never been relubed. Saved from the landfill (excellent) So how much?

  • http://trailerparkcyclist.blogspot.com Tim Joe Comstock

    Due to my enthusiasm for All Things Schwinn I too was thinking around $200 but older 1’s comments sobered me up. That being said, I would still wager that you could get $150-$200 all the same, as a reward for your diligence.
    Somewhere out there is a sixty year old who has just finished paying off his student loans and has a little disposable cash for a ride down memory lane on the very bike he rode while accruing that very debt.

  • bill

    Wow! What a dilemma! Beautiful job! A lot of dedicated work!My wife keeps asking me why I don’t fix up my bikes and sell them. Sometimes it is easier to get the bike at a reasonable price and let the next buyer/rider do the cleaning of the bike! The bikes that I clean up, I keep for myself. I worry that the bike is just clean on the outside! I worry about the bearings,and all the components that look shiney on the outside, but may be compromised on the inside! So many people are flipping bikes that you have to really pay attention to the components: did they come with bike? Are they quality? Are they as represented? Try to see his/her shop area. Anyhow. Great job on the bike!Very inspirational!

    • older1

      Since I’m more of a functionally-minded person, I completely agree with you, Bill.
      Please note: the following comment doesn’t necessarily apply to Steve, but even a bike that’s been “overhauled” may still have serious problems down the road if the mechanic didn’t thoroughly inspect for damaged/pitted bearing races, shiny bearing balls, true rims, tweaked frame/fork, worn chain, bent derailleurs, etc.
      Generally, though, if I go through the trouble of repacking bearings, I’ll probably at least have washed the bike, first, and then I’ll be able to tell if the additional effort of a good polishing would be rewarding!

      • http://trailerparkcyclist.blogspot.com Tim Joe Comstock

        Tell that to WalMart.

        • Steve

          FYI, Wally world doesn’t sell bicycles, nor do they have bike people. Next time you go, notice they are in with the rest of the “toys”, which is how they view, stock, and categorize them. Sort of puts things in perspective, wouldn’t you say?!

          • older1

            I like the term used by the British to describe what department-stores offer: Bicycle-Shaped Object (BSO).

  • Steve

    Thank You all so much for the great comments!! First off I will tell you that with the hours invested it’s more of a hobby, stress relief, than a money maker, as my $/hr would probably draw pity from a third world country! It’s really more a labor of love. Generally I wash the bike thoroughly to begin so I can see what I’ve got. Some get more polishing, some less, depending on the “feel” of the bike, not all have the same personality. This one was in need of a complete face lift. Polished frame, wheels, componenets, etc., along with the mechanicals, (which I agree, with all the comments, mechanically the bike must be done right by all aspects!) made it feel fresh and new! I like “Blue Magic”, it’s an aluminum wheel polish I used on my semi. Works great for all metals. Rust is another demon of it’s own and I have found good ol’fashioned naval jelly is still the best! It’ll eat away the rust from the smallest of hiding places. No rubbing, no abrasives, just a great surface to start polishing. The good news is I haven’t found anything that does a perfect job, so there’s always visible evidence of age, even when it shines for the camera. I just wish it looked as good through the lens as it does in person, the polished chrome always seems to come out looking dark? Any suggestions? Anyway, again, thanks for the comments, I do really appreciate the feedback!!!! Oh, I almost forgot, it sold for $225. Saving a great piece of history, helping someone get involved in our wonderful sport, relieving some stress, helping the environment by keeping it out of the dump, and funding my addiction with the proceeds, all from one old bicycle, . . . life is good!!

    • older1

      WOW! Congratulations, Steve! Well done!

  • decath6431

    Very nice getting the $225. I think you got about as much value as you could for it at that cost. This is an extremely rewarding/relaxing/addicting hobby, and any hobby you can either break even or profit from works for me.

    • Steve

      being involved with cycling all my life, combined with being a car salesman for 18 years is probably not a bad thing in this situation . . .

  • bill

    Holy Crap! That’s great! x’ 2! The Continentals were a great bike to begin with. Did you sell to someone from that era?
    I am starting to part with some of my old treasures as the cost of restoring or even makeing rideable them goes up!I get them “running” as they are found, then move on to next one. I have been waiting for our “Cape” weather to clear up so that I can wash the bikes before I get started on the lubing and road testing of them! Like you did Stephen, I want to start with a solid foundation. I have limited room in my shop. I am starting to really reprioritise my “collection”! I am like a golgfish that grows into what ever size bowl I am put into!
    Again Stepen, A graet lesson and inspiration to your “students”!
    Thanks,
    Bill

  • Beater RezQ

    The Red Horse of the Apocalypse, with white-walls…nice!?!