Monday, February 16, 2015

Dennis B's 1980's Schwinn Prelude Frame Restortion

Denis's 1980's Schwinn Prelude Frame Restoration - Frame After
Denis's 1980's Schwinn Prelude Frame Restoration - Frame Before


This is Dennis's 1980's Schwinn Prelude frame.  Dennis's friend purchased the Prelude from the original owner in the early 1990's and road it as triathlon bike.  Dennis later purchased the Prelude form his friend for $5 when he started out on cycling and instantly fell in love with the Prelude.

Dennis has Since purchased a Cannondale CAAD 10 but is still not sure if he likes it better then the Prelude.  It is time to restore the Prelude and Dennis shipped the frame to me.

I like the Prelude a lot with its lugged frame and Columbus tubing and chrome fork.  I have worked on a lot of Preludes and have restored a few and they always are such nice riding bikes.

Dennis chose a very vivid blue to replace the original pink paint.  I actually found Prelude decals witch really isn't an easy thing to do.  Unfortunately the decal lettering is a very light blue, it looked like a white in the photos.  The decals are also a little old so I am hopping they work out all right.

The frame is in good shape other then the paint.

Denis's 1980's Schwinn Prelude Frame Restoration - Frame Before

Denis's 1980's Schwinn Prelude Frame Restoration
Frame Before - Head Tube

Denis's 1980's Schwinn Prelude Frame Restoration
Frame Before - Head Tube

Denis's 1980's Schwinn Prelude Frame Restoration - Frame Before
Top Tube

Denis's 1980's Schwinn Prelude Frame Restoration - Frame Before
Cable Bracket

Denis's 1980's Schwinn Prelude Frame Restoration
Frame Before - Down Tube

Denis's 1980's Schwinn Prelude Frame Restoration
Frame Before - Seat Lug

Denis's 1980's Schwinn Prelude Frame Restoration
Frame Before - Seat Tube

Denis's 1980's Schwinn Prelude Frame Restoration
Frame Before - Seat Tube

Denis's 1980's Schwinn Prelude Frame Restoration
Bottom Bracket

Denis's 1980's Schwinn Prelude Frame Restoration
Frame Before - Bottom Bracket

Denis's 1980's Schwinn Prelude Frame Restoration
Frame Before - Seat Lug

Denis's 1980's Schwinn Prelude Frame Restoration
Frame Before - Brake Bridge

Denis's 1980's Schwinn Prelude Frame Restoration
Frame Before - Drop Out

I stripped all the paint and then cleaned up a few spots.  The frame looks very good under the paint.  All the lug lines are solid and I ran a clean up tap through the bottom bracket.  Looks good!


Denis's 1980's Schwinn Prelude Frame Restoration - Frame Stripped

Denis's 1980's Schwinn Prelude Frame Restoration
Frame Stripped - Head Tube

Denis's 1980's Schwinn Prelude Frame Restoration
Frame Stripped - Head Tube Lug

Denis's 1980's Schwinn Prelude Frame Restoration
Frame Stripped - Down Tube

Denis's 1980's Schwinn Prelude Frame Restoration
Frame Stripped - Seat Lug

Denis's 1980's Schwinn Prelude Frame Restoration
Frame Stripped - Bottom Bracket

Denis's 1980's Schwinn Prelude Frame Restoration
Frame Stripped - Bottom Bracket

Denis's 1980's Schwinn Prelude Frame Restoration - Framed Stripped
Bottom Bracket

Denis's 1980's Schwinn Prelude Frame Restoration
Frame Stripped - Brake Bridge

After cleaning and a lot of prep the frame was ready for powder coating.  With powder coating as with painting when you think the frame is clean, clean it three more times.

The blue is called Savannah Mist, a very stunning and vivid blue, it looks fantastic.  The Savannah Mist powder went down very easy ans even and when backed was like glass.  I then applied a layer of high gloss clear that really added depth to the blue.  I love this color, great choice Dennis!


Denis's 1980's Schwinn Prelude Frame Restoration - Frame
Powder Coated

Denis's 1980's Schwinn Prelude Frame Restoration
Frame Powder Coated - Head Tube

Denis's 1980's Schwinn Prelude Frame Restoration
Frame Powder Coated - Head Tube

Denis's 1980's Schwinn Prelude Frame Restoration
Frame Powder Coated - Top Tube

Denis's 1980's Schwinn Prelude Frame Restoration
Frame Powder Coated - Down Tube

Denis's 1980's Schwinn Prelude Frame Restoration
Frame Powder Coated - Seat Lug

Denis's 1980's Schwinn Prelude Frame Restoration
Frame Powder Coated - Seat Tube - Poor Photo

Denis's 1980's Schwinn Prelude Frame Restoration
Frame Powder Coated - Bottom Bracket

Denis's 1980's Schwinn Prelude Frame Restoration
Frame Powder Coated - Bottom Bracket

Denis's 1980's Schwinn Prelude Frame Restoration
Frame Powder Coated - Bottom Bracket

Denis's 1980's Schwinn Prelude Frame Restoration
Frame Powder Coated - Seat Lug

Denis's 1980's Schwinn Prelude Frame Restoration
Frame Powder Coated - Brake Bridge

Denis's 1980's Schwinn Prelude Frame Restoration
Frame Powder Coated - Drop Outs

The only Prelude decals I was able to find where a light blue.  I have seen white lettering on Schwinns from this era and the blue.  The decals are also a little old so I am hoping they go on okay.  I am just thrilled I found Prelude decals.

The decals went on pretty good.  I wish they where a bit thicker but they will do.  I actually really like the light blue lettering, it has a very nice effect, like ghost lettering.  he red and black graphic really is cool also,  I like it a lot.

Denis's 1980's Schwinn Prelude Frame Restoration
Decals

Denis's 1980's Schwinn Prelude Frame Restoration
Decals - Installed

Denis's 1980's Schwinn Prelude Frame Restoration
Top Tube Decal

Denis's 1980's Schwinn Prelude Frame Restoration
Seat Tube Decal

Denis's 1980's Schwinn Prelude Frame Restoration
Seat Stay Decal

I took the final photos inside in the best light I can get here in February.  In the light the blue is even more stunning.  I hope this is what Dennis wanted in the Prelude, a continued long and happy life for the Prelude.


Denis's 1980's Schwinn Prelude Frame Restoration
Frame Compelte

Denis's 1980's Schwinn Prelude Frame Restoration
Frame 
Complete

Denis's 1980's Schwinn Prelude Frame Restoration
Frame Complete - Top Tube

Denis's 1980's Schwinn Prelude Frame Restoration
Frame Complete - Down Tube

Denis's 1980's Schwinn Prelude Frame Restoration
Frame Complete - Seat Tube

Denis's 1980's Schwinn Prelude Frame Restoration
Frame Complete - Seat Tube

Denis's 1980's Schwinn Prelude Frame Restoration
Frame Complete - Bottom Bracket

Denis's 1980's Schwinn Prelude Frame Restoration
Frame Complete - Bottom Bracket

Denis's 1980's Schwinn Prelude Frame Restoration
Frame Complete - Seat Lug

Denis's 1980's Schwinn Prelude Frame Restoration
Frame Complete - Seat Stay

Denis's 1980's Schwinn Prelude Frame Restoration
Frame Complete - Drop Outs
Thank you for the interest,
John Z.

3 comments:

  1. Is that clear coat of paint or another layer of powder coat? It looks so good.

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  2. Wow what a beautiful frame it looks gorgeous in raw form! I have to say that Blue IMHO is a huge improvement over the 1980s pink, and the decals look really sharp. Are you going to post any shots of the final build? Nice to see this classic steel frame get the love.

    ReplyDelete
  3. I was wondering where you were able to find the decals. I'm not having much luck....Nice job on the bike. Thanks, Rob

    ReplyDelete