Sorry the OTS have been flowing slowly this week—but hey, if I can’t give you quantity, I can at least offer quality! Today it’s Troy’s Schwinn Caliente. Its showroom condition was all it took to save it from fixtration.  Thank Tenvens!

I’ve been looking for an OTS for a donor as a fixie. Seeing a few old bikes in a local garage sale I stopped to investigate. Nothing but rusty department store mountain bikes. It was late and the seller said to make him an offer, any offer. Told him I’m not interested and what I was looking for. He said he has an OTS in his basement he planned on cleaning up and trying to sell on EBay.

He brought this yellow Schwinn out and I couldn’t believe the condition. He said he bought it new sometime in the early 80’s, he couldn’t be sure. He rode it around his neighborhood for about a week. He didn’t touch it again until 1990 when he took it to the local bike shop and had it tuned up and the handlebar tape replaced with this ugly foam for comfort.

It was dusty and the tires were flat but I knew then that I must have it. He said he thought might get a hundred dollars for it on EBay. I said sure, but how much will it cost to ship this? Try to sell it plus shipping cost would be pretty hard in this economy. He said okay then, make me an offer. I pulled out my wallet and showed him that I only had $21 on me and before I could tell him that I would go to an ATM and get more he said SOLD.

I took it home, put air in the tires (it held) and 15 minutes with soap, water and a soft cloth made it shine like new. Rode it on a short 10 mile ride and fell in love. I know it’s not rare or valuable but I’m really happy with my new ride. The only thing I plan on changing is the handlebar tape. Any suggestions on which color tape to use?

Forget the fixie project! How could I chop up my yellow Caliente.

Troy

Thanks Troy