Turbo Bob’s 1960 Schwinn Continental

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What a great week of bikes, and we’re not done yet. I’m going to let this next beauty lead us in to the weekend. This is Turbo Bob’s 1960 Schwinn Continental.

Have a great weekend and don’t forget to GO RIDE YOUR BIKE!

1960 Schwinn Continental

I was lucky to get this time machine. Each time I ride it, I go back to my pre-teenaged days of bike freedom and innocence. I bought, fixed-up, rode and sold so many of these Schwinn 8 and 10 speeds back then. Usually $5-10 would cover the cost and most resold for $20-25 after many fun rides. Even though I have very little tied up in this classic, it’s more than those days back in the 60’s and 70’s. I got this in good shape with a new Brooks saddle and a vintage Suntour derailleur in place of the original Simplex. The complete tear-down and lots of hand polishing was a labor of love. I even removed each nipple one at a time during polishing to ensure I was happy with the outcome. I changed the color scheme somewhat with the black bar tape and cable housings. A touch of the present is seen with the cycle computer and lights. I am so pleased with the results as it rides nice and smooth. Every time I reach down to the suicide front shifter, I feel like I am twelve years-old all over again. You just can’t buy the kind of happiness this lightweight Continental brings me. Said to be Schwinn’s first ten-speed, I have yet to see another like it since my childhood. This is one ten-speed that is not for sale. I have written a few articles about it on my bike blog, including one on the full rework of the braking system. There is even a video covering it on my You-Tube channel. The last installment will include me running test laps at the local Velodrome. Here are the links to the articles and the video.

http://turbobobbicycleblog.wordpress.com/2011/08/12/1960-schwinn-continental-schwinns-first-ten-speed/ http://turbobobbicycleblog.wordpress.com/2011/10/27/1960-schwinn-continental-schwinns-first-ten-speed-rework-up-date/ http://turbobobbicycleblog.wordpress.com/2011/12/01/vintage-schwinn-brakes-repairing-and-adjusting/

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  3. Billnuke1’s Spartan 10-Speed
  4. Edward S.’s 1983 Huffy Bay Pointe
  5. Artguywes’ 1965 Schwinn / Waterford Paramount Deluxe
  • BeaterRezQ

    Cameron, you did well my son! A fine week of fine rides, and an OTSOTM contest to boot!! Thank you, sir.

    Turbo Bob, I don’t “flip” many bikes..I make ’em my own and then mysteriously get attached to them. Sometimes, due to a remarkable outcome, rare qualities, etc….they grow on me kinda like a stray dog. That old Continental seems to have found a place in your heart that new/expensive/or exotic frame material will never fill. If I was a gambling man, I’d bet the farm that the ol’ Continental is an outward expression of it’s owner. Love the setup that screams bikes were meant to be ridden, nice art in the background.
    BRQ

  • Dee stone

    Very cool front derailleur! I never saw anything like it before.

  • Trailerparkcyclist

    As usual, I’m with St. B on this one. I will now never rest until I too have a jockey shift lever on my front D, preferably with a little chrome skull for a knob. With real rubies for eyes. As a Schwinn man myself, Turbo, you are rockin’ my world!

  • Ryan Surface

    Beautiful resto job Turbo-Bob. I love that old school FD shifter very cool and retro. Enjoy those rides down the street and back in time 😉