Here we have a restoration of a Schwinn varsity in Kool Lemon yellow. The Varsity is in pretty rough shape but that is good, it means the Varsity was ridden hard and well loved, they way bicycles are suppose to be.
The paint is some what rough, the cables are frozen, the wheels are out of true but I htink the Varsity will come back a long way. The Varsisty will receive new bearings, cables, cable housings, tire tubes and tires. Hoefully everything will polish niceley.
 |
| Schwinn Varsity Restoration - Bicycle Before |
 |
| Schwinn Varsity Restoration - Bicycle Before |
 |
| Schwinn Varsity Restoration - Bicycle Before |
 |
| Schwinn Varsity Restoration Bicycle Before |
 |
| Schwinn Varsity Restoration Bicycle Before |
 |
| Schwinn Varsity Restoration - Bicycle Before |
 |
| Schwinn Varsity Restoration Bicycle Before |
 |
| Schwinn Varsity Restoration Bicycle Before |
 |
| Schwinn Varsity Restoration Bicycle Before |
 |
| Schwinn Varsity Restoration Bicycle Before |
 |
| Schwinn Varsity Restoration Bicycle Before |
 |
| Schwinn Varsity Restoration Bicycle Before |
 |
| Schwinn Varsity Restoration Bicycle Before |
 |
| Schwinn Varsity Restoration Bicycle Before |
 |
| Schwinn Varsity Restoration Bicycle Before |
 |
| Schwinn Varsity Restoration Bicycle Before |
 |
| Schwinn Varsity Restoration Bicycle Before |
 |
| Schwinn Varsity Restoration Bicycle Before |
With the Varsity broken down we can see the paint has a lot of deep grime and a fair amount of paint chips, but those are badges of use. The goal is to make the paint look as good as it can while preserving its history.
 |
| Schwinn Varsity Restoration Frame Before |
 |
| Schwinn Varsity Restoration Frame Before |
 |
| Schwinn Varsity Restoration Frame Before |
 |
| Schwinn Varsity Restoration Frame Before |
 |
| Schwinn Varsity Restoration Frame Before |
 |
| Schwinn Varsity Restoration Frame Before |
 |
| Schwinn Varsity Restoration Frame Before |
 |
| Schwinn Varsity Restoration Frame Before |
 |
| Schwinn Varsity Restoration Frame Before |
 |
| Schwinn Varsity Restoration Frame Before |
 |
| Schwinn Varsity Restoration Frame Before |
 |
| Schwinn Varsity Restoration Frame Before |
 |
| Schwinn Varsity Restoration Frame Before |
 |
| Schwinn Varsity Restoration Frame Before |
 |
| Schwinn Varsity Restoration Frame Before |
 |
| Schwinn Varsity Restoration Frame Before |
 |
| Schwinn Varsity Restoration Fork Before |
 |
| Schwinn Varsity Restoration Fork Before |
 |
| Schwinn Varsity Restoration Fork Before |
 |
| Schwinn Varsity Restoration Fork Before |
 |
| Schwinn Varsity Restoration Fork Before |
 |
| Schwinn Varsity Restoration Fork Before |
I gave the frame a deep cleaning and started working through the polishing grits. The frame cleaned really well and the paints looks very nice. There still are the paint chips but they are less noticable now. I am happy with the results, I also really like how the fork crown cap turned out.
 |
| Schwinn Varsity Restoration Frame Polished |
 |
| Schwinn Varsity Restoration Frame Polished |
 |
| Schwinn Varsity Restoration Frame Polished |
 |
| Schwinn Varsity Restoration Frame Polished |
 |
| Schwinn Varsity Restoration Frame Polished |
 |
| Schwinn Varsity Restoration Frame Polished |
 |
| Schwinn Varsity Restoration Frame Polished |
 |
| Schwinn Varsity Restoration Frame Polished |
 |
| Schwinn Varsity Restoration Frame Polished |
 |
| Schwinn Varsity Restoration Frame Polished |
 |
| Schwinn Varsity Restoration Frame Polished |
 |
| Schwinn Varsity Restoration Frame Polished |
First place to start is always the headset. The headset had some rust and hardened old grease. A good polishing and new bearings has the headset looking great and spinning smooth. The shift levers also are part of the headset on the Varsity, I cleaned all the components of the shift levers, a good polishing and greasing and the levers look and funstion great.
 |
| Schwinn Varsity Restoration Headset - Before |
 |
| Schwinn Varsity Restoration Headset - Before |
 |
| Schwinn Varsity Restoration Fork Cap Polished |
 |
| Schwinn Varsity Restoration Headset - Polished |
 |
| Schwinn Varsity Restoration Shift Levers - Before |
 |
| Schwinn Varsity Restoration Shift Levers - Before |
 |
| Schwinn Varsity Restoration Shift Levers - Complete |
 |
| Schwinn Varsity Restoration Shift Levers - Complete |
 |
| Schwinn Varsity Restoration Headset - Cups Pressed |
 |
| Schwinn Varsity Restoration Headset - Bearings Packed |
 |
| Schwinn Varsity Restoration Headset - Complete |
 |
| Schwinn Varsity Restoration Headset - Complete |
 |
| Schwinn Varsity Restoration Headset - Complete |
The stem, handlebars and brake levers where next, each had a fair ampunt of rust but with cleanign and polishing things turned out very nice! I always apply a chrome protector when removing rust from chrome, it inhibtes the rust from returning, proper storage also helps with this. Installed the handebars, stem and brake levers look great!
 |
| Schwinn Varsity Restoration Handlebars & Stem - Before |
 |
| Schwinn Varsity Restoration Handlebars & Stem - Before |
 |
| Schwinn Varsity Restoration Handlebars & Stem - Before |
 |
| Schwinn Varsity Restoration Handlebars & Stem - Before |
 |
| Schwinn Varsity Restoration Handlebars & Stem - Before |
 |
| Schwinn Varsity Restoration Handlebars & Stem - Before |
 |
| Schwinn Varsity Restoration Handlebars & Stem - Before |
 |
| Schwinn Varsity Restoration Brake Levers - Before |
 |
| Schwinn Varsity Restoration Brake Levers - Before |
 |
| Schwinn Varsity Restoration Handlebars & Stem - Polished |
 |
| Schwinn Varsity Restoration Handlebars & Stem - Polished |
 |
| Schwinn Varsity Restoration Handlebars & Stem - Polished |
 |
| Schwinn Varsity Restoration Handlebars & Stem - Polished |
 |
| Schwinn Varsity Restoration Handlebars & Stem - Polished |
 |
| Schwinn Varsity Restoration Handlebars & Stem - Complete |
 |
| Schwinn Varsity Restoration Handlebars & Stem - Complete |
 |
| Schwinn Varsity Restoration Handlebars & Stem - Complete |
 |
| Schwinn Varsity Restoration Brake Levers - Polished |
 |
| Schwinn Varsity Restoration Brake Levers - Polished |
 |
| Schwinn Varsity Restoration Handlebars & Stem - Complete |
The crank and bottom bracket where next. The crank had some rust and old grease and the bottom bracket definently needed new bearings. Two of the crank bolts holding the chainrings together had damaged threads so I replaced them. With a good amount of cleaning and polishing the crank looks great next tot he yellow paint, it also spins very smooth with the new bottom bracket bearings.
 |
| Schwinn Varsity Restoration Crank - Before |
 |
| Schwinn Varsity Restoration Crank - Exploded View |
 |
| Schwinn Varsity Restoration Bottom Bracket - Before |
 |
| Schwinn Varsity Restoration Crank & Bottom Bracket - Polished |
 |
| Schwinn Varsity Restoration Crank - Polished |
 |
| Schwinn Varsity Restoration Bottom Bracket - Polished |
 |
| Schwinn Varsity Restoration Crank - Complete |
 |
| Schwinn Varsity Restoration Bottom Bracket - Cups Pressed |
 |
| Schwinn Varsity Restoration Crank - Complete |
 |
| Schwinn Varsity Restoration Crank & Bottom Bracket - Complete |
The brake calipers are always my favorite part to work on, a restored set of calipers always is the biggest bang for the work puyt in. The alloy of the calipers had a deep etching in it which is common, working through the polishing wheels have the caliper components looking great. Installed they look even better and new grease in the pivot point have them snap back very crisp.
 |
| Schwinn Varsity Restoration Brake Calipers - Before |
 |
| Schwinn Varsity Restoration Brake Calipers - Exploded View |
 |
| Schwinn Varsity Restoration Brake Calipers - Polished |
 |
| Schwinn Varsity Restoration Brake Calipers - Complete |
 |
| Schwinn Varsity Restoration Front Caliper - Complete |
 |
| Schwinn Varsity Restoration Rear Caliper - Complete |
 |
| Schwinn Varsity Restoration Brake Calipers - Complete |
The derailleurs are next on the list. The derailleurs are very stiff and griddy but really not in to bad of shape. Some time in the sonic cleaners removed all the gritty feel to them and lubricating has the derailleurs moving like new. Polishing have the derailleurs looking even better.
 |
| Schwinn Varsity Restoration Front Derailleur - Before |
 |
| Schwinn Varsity Restoration Front Derailleur - Before |
 |
| Schwinn Varsity Restoration Front Derailleur - Before |
 |
| Schwinn Varsity Restoration Rear Derailleur - Before |
 |
| Schwinn Varsity Restoration Rear Derailleur - Before |
 |
| Schwinn Varsity Restoration Rear Derailleur - Before |
 |
| Schwinn Varsity Restoration Rear Derailleur - Exploded View |
 |
| Schwinn Varsity Restoration Front Derailleur - Before |
 |
| Schwinn Varsity Restoration Front Derailleur - Polished |
 |
| Schwinn Varsity Restoration Front Derailleur - Complete |
 |
| Schwinn Varsity Restoration Front Derailleur - Complete |
 |
| Schwinn Varsity Restoration Rear Derailleur - Polished |
 |
| Schwinn Varsity Restoration Rear Derailleur - Complete |
 |
| Schwinn Varsity Restoration Rear Derailleur - Complete |
 |
| Schwinn Varsity Restoration Rear Derailleur - Complete |
The brings us to the wheels. The wheels had a lot of loose spokes and rust, the wheel bearings where dry and damaged but likely the bearing races where still smooth. I worked through cleaning and polishing the wheels. The spokes needed to be lossened and retensioned, the rear rim has a very slight flat spot but it is unoticable. I am very pleased with the results of the wheels, near bearings spin for ever and the hubs look great installed. New gum wall tires complete the look.
 |
| Schwinn Varsity Restoration Front Wheel - Before |
 |
| Schwinn Varsity Restoration Front Wheel - Before |
 |
| Schwinn Varsity Restoration Front Wheel - Before |
 |
| Schwinn Varsity Restoration Rear Wheel - Before |
 |
| Schwinn Varsity Restoration Rear Wheel - Before |
 |
| Schwinn Varsity Restoration Rear Wheel - Before |
 |
| Schwinn Varsity Restoration Rear Wheel - Before |
 |
| Schwinn Varsity Restoration Pie Plate - Before |
 |
| Schwinn Varsity Restoration Freewheel - Before |
 |
| Schwinn Varsity Restoration Front Wheel Hub - Before |
 |
| Schwinn Varsity Restoration Rear Wheel Hub - Before |
 |
| Schwinn Varsity Restoration Front Wheel Hub - Polished |
 |
| Schwinn Varsity Restoration Front Wheel Hub - Polished |
 |
| Schwinn Varsity Restoration Rear Wheel Hub - Polished |
 |
| Schwinn Varsity Restoration Rear Wheel Hub - Polished |
 |
| Schwinn Varsity Restoration Wheel Axel's - Ready |
 |
| Schwinn Varsity Restoration Rear Wheel Hub - New Bearings |
 |
| Schwinn Varsity Restoration Front Wheel Hub - New Bearings |
 |
| Schwinn Varsity Restoration Front Wheel - Complete |
 |
| Schwinn Varsity Restoration Front Wheel - Complete |
 |
| Schwinn Varsity Restoration Front Wheel - Complete |
 |
| Schwinn Varsity Restoration Rear Wheel - Complete |
 |
| Schwinn Varsity Restoration Rear Wheel - Complete |
 |
| Schwinn Varsity Restoration Wheels - Complete |
The kickstand needed a lot of love but Schwinn kickstand are super heavy duty so the kickstand will come back beautifully. I soaked the kickstand in a solution i make for a couple days and then burnish the finish. A coat of rust prevenative has the kickstand look great. A clened spring and new grease has the kiskstand moving very smooth.
 |
| Schwinn Varsity Restoration Kick Stand - Before |
 |
| Schwinn Varsity Restoration Kick Stand - Polished |
 |
| Schwinn Varsity Restoration Kick Stand - Complete |
Last of the main components was to polish the seat binder and seat post. I spent some time cleaning the seat and a touch of polishing of the seat material, its not perfect but it is a lot better than it was and it is original.
 |
| Schwinn Varsity Restoration Seat Binder - Before |
 |
| Schwinn Varsity Restoration Seat Binder & Post - Polished |
 |
| Schwinn Varsity Restoration Seat Binder & Post - Complete |
 |
| Schwinn Varsity Restoration Seat Binder & Post - Complete |
 |
| Schwinn Varsity Restoration Seat Binder & Post - Complete |
New cables and cable housing have the Varsity shifting great and the brakes feeling crisp and snappy.
 |
| Schwinn Varsity Restoration New Cables & Housings |
 |
| Schwinn Varsity Restoration Cables - Complete |
 |
| Schwinn Varsity Restoration Cables - Complete |
 |
| Schwinn Varsity Restoration Cables - Complete |
 |
| Schwinn Varsity Restoration Cables - Complete |
Next was the rear reflector. The rear reflector is in rough shape, with some polishing of the alloy and a light polishing of the plastic I think the reflector looks pretty nice, or at least as nice as it can.
 |
| Schwinn Varsity Restoration Rear Reflector |
 |
| Schwinn Varsity Restoration Rear Reflector Installed |
Next is the handlebar tape. I tried cleaning the original vinyl tape but it had to many rips and tears to get it to hold correct, I have tried new old stock Schwinn vinyl tape in the past but that has never gone well, the new old stock tape is to brittle. With the classic Schwinn's I use the handlebar tape for an upgrade and a little creativity. I installed yellow cloth tape and i used a piece of white cloth tape for a little accent to match the cable housings. I really like how the handlebar tape turned out.
 |
| Schwinn Varsity Restoration Handlebar Tape |
 |
| Schwinn Varsity Restoration Handlebar Tape - Complete |
 |
| Schwinn Varsity Restoration Handlebar Tape - Complete |
 |
| Schwinn Varsity Restoration Handlebar Tape - Complete |
Last is the pedals, over the years I found trying to save badly damaged pedals is not worth it and the Varsity's pedals are long gone. I could spend 10 hours on the pedals and they would still spin awful and need to be replaced soon anyways. I also try to match the look of the original pedals in replacements, I fell these replacements capture the style well.
 |
| Schwinn Varsity Restoration Replacement Pedals |
 |
| Schwinn Varsity Restoration Replacement Pedals |
 |
| Schwinn Varsity Restoration Replacement Pedals |
Test riding went very poorly yesterday, the wheel rims where just not true, bounced all over the place and would not hold round. For hours I would go back and fourth trueing and adjusting but it just wouldn't work, the wheel rims and spokes are just to far gone. I went through my collection of wheels and chose some replacement, I then replaced the bearings and detailed the wheels, overall I think they are a good match for replacements and best of all are true and ride great.
 |
| Schwinn Varsity Restoration Replacement Wheels |
Raining this morning so waiting on final test ride and final photos for some sun.
