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| Yin's 1970's Schwinn Breeze Restoration & Build - After Restoration |
I started a search for a Schwinn Breeze to restore. A couple leads fizzled out, a couple leads led to bicycles in way to rough of shape. One lead even turned into yes we have exactly what you are looking for to when I got there they never had one they just wanted to get me there to buy other bicycles.
With many leads fizzling out I decided to take a long shot at a place I have tried before with no luck and what do a find, a Schwinn Breeze frame that is amazingly clean and in a beautiful rare red color. The owner had most of the components except for the wheels. The Schwinn Breeze was disassembled and in a box. I knew right away the handlebars where not exactly original but they where new and could be modified to work or maybe replaced. One of the best parts is it has original Schwinn fenders is amazingly good starting condition, they even have the original rear reflector in good shape. Seemed like enough was here for a good build so I quickly purchased the Breeze and ordered new wheels and a saddle.
I have only seen on other Breeze frame in such amazing condition, especially considering the frame is well over 40 years old. I can't wait to get to the build and see the results!
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| Yin's 1970's Schwinn Breeze Restoration & Build - Bicycle Before |
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| Yin's 1970's Schwinn Breeze Restoration & Build Bicycle Before- Head Tube |
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| Yin's 1970's Schwinn Breeze Restoration & Build Bicycle Before - Headset |
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| Yin's 1970's Schwinn Breeze Restoration & Build Bicycle Before - Front |
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| Yin's 1970's Schwinn Breeze Restoration & Build Bicycle Before - Down Tube - Poor Photo |
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| Yin's 1970's Schwinn Breeze Restoration & Build Bicycle Before - Seat Area |
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| Yin's 1970's Schwinn Breeze Restoration & Build Bicycle Before - Bottom Bracket |
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| Yin's 1970's Schwinn Breeze Restoration & Build Bicycle Before - Bottom Bracket |
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| Yin's 1970's Schwinn Breeze Restoration & Build - Bicycle Before Bottom Bracket |
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| Yin's 1970's Schwinn Breeze Restoration & Build Bicycle Before - Seat Post |
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| Yin's 1970's Schwinn Breeze Restoration & Build - Bicycle Before Chain Stays |
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| Yin's 1970's Schwinn Breeze Restoration & Build Bicycle Before - Drop Outs |
I stripped the few pieces from the frame and gave the frame a good cleaning. Like I said before the frame paint is in amazing condition, just a very very few marks here and there that don't even make it past the primer level.
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| Yin's 1970's Schwinn Breeze Restoration & Build - Frame Before |
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| Yin's 1970's Schwinn Breeze Restoration & Build Frame Before - Head Tube |
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| Yin's 1970's Schwinn Breeze Restoration & Build Frame Before - Head Tube |
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| Yin's 1970's Schwinn Breeze Restoration & Build - Frame Before Down Tube |
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| Yin's 1970's Schwinn Breeze Restoration & Build Frame Before - Seat Area |
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| Yin's 1970's Schwinn Breeze Restoration & Build - Frame Before Bottom Bracket |
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| Yin's 1970's Schwinn Breeze Restoration & Build - Frame Before Bottom Bracket |
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| Yin's 1970's Schwinn Breeze Restoration & Build - Frame Before Bottom Bracket |
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| Yin's 1970's Schwinn Breeze Restoration & Build Frame Before - Seat Area |
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| Yin's 1970's Schwinn Breeze Restoration & Build Frame Before - Drop Outs |
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| Yin's 1970's Schwinn Breeze Restoration & Build Frame Before - Fork |
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| Yin's 1970's Schwinn Breeze Restoration & Build - Frame Before Fork Crown |
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| Yin's 1970's Schwinn Breeze Restoration & Build Frame Before - Fork Blades |
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| Yin's 1970's Schwinn Breeze Restoration & Build Frame Before - Fork Drop Out |
Its hard to tell from the photos but the polishing and waxing process did wonders to the frame even considering the amazing condition it started in. The polishing took out some swirl marks and gave the frame a deep luster. Its just plain beautiful!! I love it!!
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| Yin's 1970's Schwinn Breeze Restoration & Build - Frame Polished |
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| Yin's 1970's Schwinn Breeze Restoration & Build Frame Polished - Head Tube |
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| Yin's 1970's Schwinn Breeze Restoration & Build Frame Polished - Head Tube |
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| Yin's 1970's Schwinn Breeze Restoration & Build Frame Polished - Down Tube Decal Poor Photo |
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| Yin's 1970's Schwinn Breeze Restoration & Build Frame Polished - Seat Area |
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| Yin's 1970's Schwinn Breeze Restoration & Build - Frame Polished Bottom Bracket |
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| Yin's 1970's Schwinn Breeze Restoration & Build - Frame Polished Bottom Bracket |
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| Yin's 1970's Schwinn Breeze Restoration & Build - Frame Polished Bottom Bracket |
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| Yin's 1970's Schwinn Breeze Restoration & Build Frame Polished - Seat Lug |
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| Yin's 1970's Schwinn Breeze Restoration & Build - Frame Polished Drop Outs |
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| Yin's 1970's Schwinn Breeze Restoration & Build Frame Polished - Fork |
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| Yin's 1970's Schwinn Breeze Restoration & Build Frame Polished - Fork Crown |
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| Yin's 1970's Schwinn Breeze Restoration & Build Frame Polished - Fork Blades |
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| Yin's 1970's Schwinn Breeze Restoration & Build Frame Polished - Fork Drop Outs |
The headset is in great starting shape. The grease was old and the headset was set way to tight but after a little time in the crock pot and a little time at the polishing wheels the headset pieces look amazing. The bearings where replaced and the packed in new grease and the headset spin great. I have always like how well the Schwinn headset functions, so smooth although heavy.
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| Yin's 1970's Schwinn Breeze Restoration & Build - Headset Before |
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| Yin's 1970's Schwinn Breeze Restoration & Build - Headset Polished |
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| Yin's 1970's Schwinn Breeze Restoration & Build Pressing Headset Cups |
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| Yin's 1970's Schwinn Breeze Restoration & Build Headset Cups - Pressed |
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| Yin's 1970's Schwinn Breeze Restoration & Build - Headset Bearings Packed |
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| Yin's 1970's Schwinn Breeze Restoration & Build Headset - Complete |
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| Yin's 1970's Schwinn Breeze Restoration & Build - Headset Complete |
I am not a 100% sure this is the original crank, I am pretty sure it is but I think I may remember the Breeze having two different style cranks, maybe there is a difference between the coaster brake and the 3 speed crank.
I cleaned the bottom bracket in the crock pot and then did the polishing. The bottom bracket polished beautifully and with new bearings spins very smooth.
The crank I am extremely happy with the results. The crank cleaned nicely and polished fantastic, I love it!! and it looks great installed!
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| Yin's 1970's Schwinn Breeze Restoration & Build Crank & Bottom Bracket - Before |
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| Yin's 1970's Schwinn Breeze Restoration & Build Crank & Bottom Bracket - Polished |
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| Yin's 1970's Schwinn Breeze Restoration & Build - Pressing Bottom Bracket Cups |
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| Yin's 1970's Schwinn Breeze Restoration & Build Bottom Bracket Cups - Pressed |
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| Yin's 1970's Schwinn Breeze Restoration & Build Bottom Bracket Bearings - Packed |
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| Yin's 1970's Schwinn Breeze Restoration & Build Bottom Bracket - Complete |
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| Yin's 1970's Schwinn Breeze Restoration & Build Bottom Bracket - Complete |
The stem that came with the Breeze is not the original as it does not fit the headset and fork tube, it is way to big. It is a Schwinn stem but from an older model Schwinn. This was a bit disappointing because this style was on the Schwinn Breeze. I should have checked the stem before I even polished it but I just assumed it fit.
I went into the collection of Schwinn parts and found a very nice alloy Schwinn stem with the Schwinn S on it. This will be even better for the Breeze as it is a much much lighter stem. The Schwinn "S" stem polished beautifully and installed looks great!
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| Yin's 1970's Schwinn Breeze Restoration & Build Wrong Stem - Before |
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| Yin's 1970's Schwinn Breeze Restoration & Build Wrong Stem - Exploded |
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| Yin's 1970's Schwinn Breeze Restoration & Build Wrong Stem - Polished |
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| Yin's 1970's Schwinn Breeze Restoration & Build Wrong Stem - Complete |
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| Yin's 1970's Schwinn Breeze Restoration & Build Schwinn "S" Stem - Before |
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| Yin's 1970's Schwinn Breeze Restoration & Build Schwinn "S" Stem - Exploded |
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| Yin's 1970's Schwinn Breeze Restoration & Build Schwinn "S" Stem - Polished |
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| Yin's 1970's Schwinn Breeze Restoration & Build Schwinn "S" Stem - Installed |
Next is the seat post and new saddle. The seat post polished beautifully, couldn't be happier with the seat post. I just cleaned the seat binding collar as it was in incredible condition and did not want to loose the original textured finish.
I installed a new synthetic leather saddle I like a lot. It is very comfortable and looks great and is a great value. The saddle looks great installed!
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| Yin's 1970's Schwinn Breeze Restoration & Build - Seat PostPolished |
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| Yin's 1970's Schwinn Breeze Restoration & Build New Saddle |
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| Yin's 1970's Schwinn Breeze Restoration & Build Saddle - Installed |
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| Yin's 1970's Schwinn Breeze Restoration & Build - Saddle - Installed |
The handlebars are not the original handlebars, they are new and even have the sales tag on them. The previous owner bought them new for their Breeze build. These handlebars are meant to go two ways, installed on a large cruiser bike as is or cut down to fit other types of bicycles. The lines of these handlebars are very close to the handlebars that go on Schwinn Breezes so I will be cutting them down to fit. For now they are going on as is to see the fit.
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| Yin's 1970's Schwinn Breeze Restoration & Build - New Handlebars |
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| Yin's 1970's Schwinn Breeze Restoration & Build - Handlebars Installed Not cut yet. |
Instead of trying to find original wheels for the Breeze and then restoring them I decided to order new wheels. Amazingly finding original wheels or ordering new cost about the same. I like the new wheels as finding original can take some time and then finding original with rims in good condition is darn near impossible.
I like these original wheels, they seem to be descent quality and look good. I did overall the wheel hubs quickly to make sure everything was greased well and the factory always sets the axle very tight. Setting the axle correctly will give the wheels hubs a lot more life.
With the wheels ready I then installed the new Kenda Gum Wall tires and the new tire tubes. The wheels and tires look amazing installed against all the other parts and the frame. So far everyone coming in the shop are drawn right to the Breeze, they are amazed with it!
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| Yin's 1970's Schwinn Breeze Restoration & Build New Replacement Rear Wheel |
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| Yin's 1970's Schwinn Breeze Restoration & Build New Replacement Front Wheel |
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| Yin's 1970's Schwinn Breeze Restoration & Build - Wheels Fitted |
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| Yin's 1970's Schwinn Breeze Restoration & Build New Kenda Gum Wall Tires |
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| Yin's 1970's Schwinn Breeze Restoration & Build - Wheels Complete |
I did not have pedals in the parts collection in good enough shape to do the Breeze justice so I installed new pedals that are made to look like the original. They look great installed!
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| Yin's 1970's Schwinn Breeze Restoration & Build - New Pedals |
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| Yin's 1970's Schwinn Breeze Restoration & Build - Pedals Installed |
I installed a new 1/8" chain and that is where the Breeze stand as of now, it is looking so good!!
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| Yin's 1970's Schwinn Breeze Restoration & Build - Bicycle So Far |
The fenders are in amazing starting condition, just a few spots and a basic polishing needed. The fenders polished beautifully and installed with new hardware look great. I am very happy with the results of the fenders.
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| Yin's 1970's Schwinn Breeze Restoration & Build - Front Fender Before |
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| Yin's 1970's Schwinn Breeze Restoration & Build Front Fender - Before |
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| Yin's 1970's Schwinn Breeze Restoration & Build - Front Fender Polished |
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| Yin's 1970's Schwinn Breeze Restoration & Build Front Fender - Polished |
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| Yin's 1970's Schwinn Breeze Restoration & Build Front Fender - Installed |
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| Yin's 1970's Schwinn Breeze Restoration & Build Front Fender - Complete |
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| Yin's 1970's Schwinn Breeze Restoration & Build - Rear Fender Before |
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| Yin's 1970's Schwinn Breeze Restoration & Build Rear Fender - Before |
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| Yin's 1970's Schwinn Breeze Restoration & Build Rear Fender - Before |
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| Yin's 1970's Schwinn Breeze Restoration & Build Rear Fender - Installed |
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| Yin's 1970's Schwinn Breeze Restoration & Build - Rear Fender Complete |
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| Yin's 1970's Schwinn Breeze Restoration & Build - Fenders Complete |
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| Yin's 1970's Schwinn Breeze Restoration & Build - Handlebars Marked |
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| Yin's 1970's Schwinn Breeze Restoration & Build - One Side Handlebars Cut |
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| Yin's 1970's Schwinn Breeze Restoration & Build - Handlebars Cut |
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| Yin's 1970's Schwinn Breeze Restoration & Build - Handlebars Installed |
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| Yin's 1970's Schwinn Breeze Restoration & Build - Handlebars Installed |
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| Yin's 1970's Schwinn Breeze Restoration & Build - Cork Handlebar Grips - Installed |
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| Yin's 1970's Schwinn Breeze Restoration & Build - Cork Handlebar Grips - Shellacked |
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| Yin's 1970's Schwinn Breeze Restoration & Build - Cork Handlebar Grips - Shellacked |
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| Yin's 1970's Schwinn Breeze Restoration & Build - Handlebar Grips Shellacked |
I looked all around for an original chain guard in the red color but have had no luck so far. I am going to modify this stainless steel chain guard for now. I will continue the search as i go and see if one pops up some where.
I am pretty happy with the stainless steel chain guard, it looks good with the red and compliments the fenders nicely.
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| Yin's 1970's Schwinn Breeze Restoration & Build - Chain Guard Installed |
That complete the Schwinn Breeze, it looks fantastic!! A very classy look, I am very happy with te results.
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| Yin's 1970's Schwinn Breeze Restoration & Build - Bicycle Complete |
The final out door photos really show off how nice the Breeze turned out. I wish we had a little better light for the photos but it is a fantastic bicycle. I really like the color, the way the saddle, tires and handlebar grips compliment each other and the fender and chain guard compliment each other. I don't think there is a better original paint Schwinn Breeze out there!1 Such a classic!
What may be better then the looks is the ride, it is hard for my tall frame to ride these bikes but I could tell right of the Breeze is a very comfortable ride, it just glides along. The best part is how simple the Breeze is, exactly how I like a bicycle and I hope the feel Yin was going for. I think it is a perfect bicycle to have a basket on and for cruising the neighborhood or running errands.
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| Yin's 1970's Schwinn Breeze Restoration & Build - Bicycle Complete |
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| Yin's 1970's Schwinn Breeze Restoration & Build - Bicycle Complete |
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| Yin's 1970's Schwinn Breeze Restoration & Build - Bicycle Complete |
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| Yin's 1970's Schwinn Breeze Restoration & Build - Bicycle Complete Handlebars |
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| Yin's 1970's Schwinn Breeze Restoration & Build - Bicycle Complete Head Tube |
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| Yin's 1970's Schwinn Breeze Restoration & Build - Bicycle Complete Front Wheel |
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| Yin's 1970's Schwinn Breeze Restoration & Build - Bicycle Complete Handlebar Grips |
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| Yin's 1970's Schwinn Breeze Restoration & Build - Bicycle Complete Schwinn "S" Stem |
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| Yin's 1970's Schwinn Breeze Restoration & Build - Bicycle Complete Down Tube Decal |
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| Yin's 1970's Schwinn Breeze Restoration & Build - Bicycle Complete Front Half |
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| Yin's 1970's Schwinn Breeze Restoration & Build - Bicycle Complete Saddle |
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| Yin's 1970's Schwinn Breeze Restoration & Build - Bicycle Complete Chicago Decal - Amazing Condition!! |
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| Yin's 1970's Schwinn Breeze Restoration & Build - Bicycle Complete Drive Train |
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| Yin's 1970's Schwinn Breeze Restoration & Build - Bicycle Complete Crank |
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| Yin's 1970's Schwinn Breeze Restoration & Build - Bicycle Complete Rear Hub |
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| Yin's 1970's Schwinn Breeze Restoration & Build - Bicycle Complete Saddle |
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| Yin's 1970's Schwinn Breeze Restoration & Build - Bicycle Complete Rear Wheel Hub |
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| Yin's 1970's Schwinn Breeze Restoration & Build - Bicycle Complete Rear Fender & Reflector |
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| Yin's 1970's Schwinn Breeze Restoration & Build - Bicycle Complete |
Thank you for all the interest and work!
John Z.
Wow, that Breeze turned out beautifully!! I like the choices you made for the chain guard, saddle and grips, very tasteful! I came across your site because I’m looking for inspiration for two Breezes I recently acquired from a friends shed. One is a 1972 20” wheel, the other is a 1974 26” wheel, both in Lemon Yellow with coaster brakes. Both belonged to my friends’ sisters. Thanks for hosting your build, I hope mine turns out half as good!
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