This is Tansy's Schwinn Breeze. Te coolest part of Tansy's Schwinn Breeze besides the red paint is that it was her Grandmother bicycle. The history of a bicycle doesn't get better then that!
I like Schwinn Breeze bicycles a lot. They do what they where intended to do very well. They are great for cruising the neighborhood, running around town to get groceries and running errands or just exploring all day. They ride great and are very durable.
Tansy's Breeze has some rough areas and some very good areas. The paint has some chips, scratches and some tough dried substance but overall I think the frame paint will come back beautifully. Tansy's Schwinn Breeze will receive a complete restoration along with new cables, new cable housings, new bearings, new brake pads, new tires and tire tubes and a new seat.
I think the Breeze will turn out beautifully and everyone already knows how much I love 3 speed bicycles. I can't wait to see how the Breeze turns out and give it a test ride.
Tansy's Schwinn Breeze 3 Speed Restoration Bicycle Before |
Tansy's Schwinn Breeze 3 Speed Restoration Bicycle Before - Handlebars |
Tansy's Schwinn Breeze 3 Speed Restoration Bicycle Before - Brake Levers |
Tansy's Schwinn Breeze 3 Speed Restoration Bicycle Before - 3 Speed Shift Lever |
Tansy's Schwinn Breeze 3 Speed Restoration Bicycle Before - Stem & Handlebars |
Tansy's Schwinn Breeze 3 Speed Restoration Bicycle Before - Head Tube |
Tansy's Schwinn Breeze 3 Speed Restoration Bicycle Before - Front Brake Caliper |
Tansy's Schwinn Breeze 3 Speed Restoration Bicycle Before - Front Fender |
Tansy's Schwinn Breeze 3 Speed Restoration Bicycle Before - Front Wheel Hub |
Tansy's Schwinn Breeze 3 Speed Restoration Bicycle Before - Front Wheel Rim |
Tansy's Schwinn Breeze 3 Speed Restoration Bicycle Before - Stem |
Tansy's Schwinn Breeze 3 Speed Restoration Bicycle Before - Head Tube |
Tansy's Schwinn Breeze 3 Speed Restoration Bicycle Before - Fork |
Tansy's Schwinn Breeze 3 Speed Restoration Bicycle Before - Front Wheel Hub |
Tansy's Schwinn Breeze 3 Speed Restoration Bicycle Before - Top Tube |
Tansy's Schwinn Breeze 3 Speed Restoration Bicycle Before - Down Tube |
Tansy's Schwinn Breeze 3 Speed Restoration Bicycle Before - Seat |
Tansy's Schwinn Breeze 3 Speed Restoration Bicycle Before - Seat Tube |
Tansy's Schwinn Breeze 3 Speed Restoration Bicycle Before - Crank |
Tansy's Schwinn Breeze 3 Speed Restoration Bicycle Before - Chain Guard |
Tansy's Schwinn Breeze 3 Speed Restoration Bicycle Before - Seat Binder |
Tansy's Schwinn Breeze 3 Speed Restoration Bicycle Before - Rear Brake Caliper |
Tansy's Schwinn Breeze 3 Speed Restoration Bicycle Before - Rear Brake Caliper |
Tansy's Schwinn Breeze 3 Speed Restoration Bicycle Before - Rear Wheel Hub |
Tansy's Schwinn Breeze 3 Speed Restoration Bicycle Before - Rear Wheel Hub |
Tansy's Schwinn Breeze 3 Speed Restoration Bicycle Before - Rear Wheel Rim |
Tansy's Schwinn Breeze 3 Speed Restoration Bicycle Before - Rear Fender |
Tansy's Schwinn Breeze 3 Speed Restoration Frame Before |
Tansy's Schwinn Breeze 3 Speed Restoration Frame Before - Head Tube |
Tansy's Schwinn Breeze 3 Speed Restoration Frame Before - Down Tube |
Tansy's Schwinn Breeze 3 Speed Restoration Frame Before - Top Tube |
Tansy's Schwinn Breeze 3 Speed Restoration Frame Before - Schwinn Decal |
Tansy's Schwinn Breeze 3 Speed Restoration Frame Before - Seat Area |
Tansy's Schwinn Breeze 3 Speed Restoration Frame Before - Bottom Bracket |
Tansy's Schwinn Breeze 3 Speed Restoration Frame Before - Bottom Bracket |
Tansy's Schwinn Breeze 3 Speed Restoration Frame Before - Bottom Bracket |
Tansy's Schwinn Breeze 3 Speed Restoration Frame Before - Seat Stays |
Tansy's Schwinn Breeze 3 Speed Restoration Frame Before - Chain Stays |
Tansy's Schwinn Breeze 3 Speed Restoration Frame Before - Drop Outs |
Tansy's Schwinn Breeze 3 Speed Restoration Frame Before - Fork |
Tansy's Schwinn Breeze 3 Speed Restoration Frame Before - Fork Crown |
Tansy's Schwinn Breeze 3 Speed Restoration Frame Before - Fork Crown |
Tansy's Schwinn Breeze 3 Speed Restoration Frame Before - Fork Blades |
Tansy's Schwinn Breeze 3 Speed Restoration Frame Before - Fork Drop Outs |
Tansy's Schwinn Breeze 3 Speed Restoration Frame Before - Fork Blades |
I gave the frame a deep cleaning. It took a good deal of work to remove the hard glue like dirt. Maybe that hard dirt was old tape? With the frame cleaned I started with a course polish and worked up to the next grits. I then had to go back for one more time with the course polish. After working through all the grits again the frame turned out very nice! I am very happy with the results.
In the photos below of the frame polished the chips and scratched have not been treated and filled yet. I am currently mixing a match. When the touch up dries I will then will apply a coat of sealer wax and buff it out.
Tansy's Schwinn Breeze 3 Speed Restoration Frame Polished |
Tansy's Schwinn Breeze 3 Speed Restoration Frame Polished - Head Tube |
Tansy's Schwinn Breeze 3 Speed Restoration Frame Polished - Head Tube |
Tansy's Schwinn Breeze 3 Speed Restoration Frame Polished - Top Tube |
Tansy's Schwinn Breeze 3 Speed Restoration Frame Polished - Down Tube |
Tansy's Schwinn Breeze 3 Speed Restoration Frame Polished - Seat Tube |
Tansy's Schwinn Breeze 3 Speed Restoration Frame Polished - Bottom Bracket |
Tansy's Schwinn Breeze 3 Speed Restoration Frame Polished - Bottom Bracket |
Tansy's Schwinn Breeze 3 Speed Restoration Frame Polished - Bottom Bracket |
Tansy's Schwinn Breeze 3 Speed Restoration Frame Polished - Seat Stays |
Tansy's Schwinn Breeze 3 Speed Restoration Frame Polished - Chain Stays |
Tansy's Schwinn Breeze 3 Speed Restoration Frame Polished - Drop Outs |
Tansy's Schwinn Breeze 3 Speed Restoration Frame Polished - Fork |
Tansy's Schwinn Breeze 3 Speed Restoration Frame Polished - Fork Crown |
Tansy's Schwinn Breeze 3 Speed Restoration Frame Polished - Fork Crown |
Tansy's Schwinn Breeze 3 Speed Restoration Frame Polished - Fork Blades |
Tansy's Schwinn Breeze 3 Speed Restoration Frame Polished - Fork Blades |
Tansy's Schwinn Breeze 3 Speed Restoration Frame Polished - Fork Blades |
Check back soon. The components have been polished and are waiting assembly.
First thin is always the headset. I like Schwinn headsets a lot. They are not very light but they are heavy duty and work super smooth and last for ever. The headset for the Breeze cleaned up very nice and polished beautifully! The chrome and the polished red paint looks amazing together!
Tansy's Schwinn Breeze 3 Speed Restoration Headset Before |
Tansy's Schwinn Breeze 3 Speed Restoration Headset Polished |
Tansy's Schwinn Breeze 3 Speed Restoration Pressing Headset Cups |
Tansy's Schwinn Breeze 3 Speed Restoration Headset Cups Pressed |
Tansy's Schwinn Breeze 3 Speed Restoration Handlebars & Stem Before |
Tansy's Schwinn Breeze 3 Speed Restoration Handlebars & Stem Before |
Tansy's Schwinn Breeze 3 Speed Restoration Handlebars Before |
Tansy's Schwinn Breeze 3 Speed Restoration Handlebars Before |
Tansy's Schwinn Breeze 3 Speed Restoration Stem Before |
Tansy's Schwinn Breeze 3 Speed Restoration Stem Exploded |
Tansy's Schwinn Breeze 3 Speed Restoration Stem Polished |
Tansy's Schwinn Breeze 3 Speed Restoration Stem & Handlebars Polished |
Tansy's Schwinn Breeze 3 Speed Restoration Handlebars Polished |
Tansy's Schwinn Breeze 3 Speed Restoration Stem & Handlebars Complete |
Tansy's Schwinn Breeze 3 Speed Restoration Stem & Handlebars Complete |
Tansy's Schwinn Breeze 3 Speed Restoration Stem & Handlebars Complete |
Tansy's Schwinn Breeze 3 Speed Restoration Stem & Handlebars Complete |
The seat post and seat binder clamp are in descent starting shape. Some time on the polishing wheels and they look great. Installed the shine looks amazing with the red paint. As I get closer to completion I will install the new saddle that will really bring the Breeze together.
Tansy's Schwinn Breeze 3 Speed Restoration Seat Post Before |
Tansy's Schwinn Breeze 3 Speed Restoration Seat Binder Clamp Before |
Tansy's Schwinn Breeze 3 Speed Restoration Seat Post Before |
Tansy's Schwinn Breeze 3 Speed Restoration Seat Post & Binder Clamp Polished |
Tansy's Schwinn Breeze 3 Speed Restoration Seat Post Complete |
Tansy's Schwinn Breeze 3 Speed Restoration Seat Post Complete |
Tansy's Schwinn Breeze 3 Speed Restoration Brake Levers Before |
Tansy's Schwinn Breeze 3 Speed Restoration Brake Levers Polished |
Tansy's Schwinn Breeze 3 Speed Restoration Brake Levers Installed |
Tansy's Schwinn Breeze 3 Speed Restoration Brake Levers Installed |
Tansy's Schwinn Breeze 3 Speed Restoration Brake Calipers Before |
Tansy's Schwinn Breeze 3 Speed Restoration Brake Calipers Exploded |
Tansy's Schwinn Breeze 3 Speed Restoration Brake Levers Polished |
Tansy's Schwinn Breeze 3 Speed Restoration Front Brake Caliper Installed |
Tansy's Schwinn Breeze 3 Speed Restoration Rear Brake Caliper Installed |
Tansy's Schwinn Breeze 3 Speed Restoration Brake Calipers Complete |
Tansy's Schwinn Breeze 3 Speed Restoration 3 Speed Shift Lever Before |
Tansy's Schwinn Breeze 3 Speed Restoration # Speed Shift Lever Polished |
Tansy's Schwinn Breeze 3 Speed Restoration 3 Speed Shift Lever Compelte |
Tansy's Schwinn Breeze 3 Speed Restoration 3 Speed Shift Lever Installed |
Tansy's Schwinn Breeze 3 Speed Restoration Shift Cable Guides |
Tansy's Schwinn Breeze 3 Speed Restoration Shift Cable Guide Polished |
Tansy's Schwinn Breeze 3 Speed Restoration Shift Cable Guide Polished |
Tansy's Schwinn Breeze 3 Speed Restoration Shift Cable Guide Installed |
Tansy's Schwinn Breeze 3 Speed Restoration Shift Cable Guide Installed |
Tansy's Schwinn Breeze 3 Speed Restoration Crank & Bottom Bracket Before |
Tansy's Schwinn Breeze 3 Speed Restoration Crank Before |
Tansy's Schwinn Breeze 3 Speed Restoration Bottom Bracket Before |
Tansy's Schwinn Breeze 3 Speed Restoration Bottom Bracket Polished |
Tansy's Schwinn Breeze 3 Speed Restoration Crank & Bottom Bracket Polished |
Tansy's Schwinn Breeze 3 Speed Restoration Crank Polished |
Tansy's Schwinn Breeze 3 Speed Restoration Bottom Bracket Cup Pressed |
Tansy's Schwinn Breeze 3 Speed Restoration Bottom Bracket Bearings Packed |
Tansy's Schwinn Breeze 3 Speed Restoration Crank Complete |
Tansy's Schwinn Breeze 3 Speed Restoration Crank Complete |
Tansy's Schwinn Breeze 3 Speed Restoration Front Fender Before |
Tansy's Schwinn Breeze 3 Speed Restoration Front Fender Before |
Tansy's Schwinn Breeze 3 Speed Restoration Front Fender Before |
Tansy's Schwinn Breeze 3 Speed Restoration Front Fender Before |
Tansy's Schwinn Breeze 3 Speed Restoration Front Fender Before |
Tansy's Schwinn Breeze 3 Speed Restoration Front Fender Polished |
Tansy's Schwinn Breeze 3 Speed Restoration Front Fender Polished |
Tansy's Schwinn Breeze 3 Speed Restoration Front Fender Polished |
Tansy's Schwinn Breeze 3 Speed Restoration Front Fender Polished |
Tansy's Schwinn Breeze 3 Speed Restoration Front Fender Polished |
Tansy's Schwinn Breeze 3 Speed Restoration Front Fender Polished |
Tansy's Schwinn Breeze 3 Speed Restoration Front Fender Installed |
Tansy's Schwinn Breeze 3 Speed Restoration Front Fender Installed |
Tansy's Schwinn Breeze 3 Speed Restoration Front Fender Installed |
Tansy's Schwinn Breeze 3 Speed Restoration Rear Fender Before |
Tansy's Schwinn Breeze 3 Speed Restoration Rear Fender Before |
Tansy's Schwinn Breeze 3 Speed Restoration Rear Fender Before |
Tansy's Schwinn Breeze 3 Speed Restoration Rear Fender Before |
Tansy's Schwinn Breeze 3 Speed Restoration Rear Fender Before |
Tansy's Schwinn Breeze 3 Speed Restoration Rear Fender Before |
Tansy's Schwinn Breeze 3 Speed Restoration Rear Fender Polished |
Tansy's Schwinn Breeze 3 Speed Restoration Rear Fender polished |
Tansy's Schwinn Breeze 3 Speed Restoration Rear Fender Polished |
Tansy's Schwinn Breeze 3 Speed Restoration Rear Fender Polished |
Tansy's Schwinn Breeze 3 Speed Restoration Rear Fender Installed |
Tansy's Schwinn Breeze 3 Speed Restoration Rear Fender Installed |
Tansy's Schwinn Breeze 3 Speed Restoration Fender Complete |
I started with the front wheel first. The front wheel has a few areas that are rough. I broke the front wheel down and gave everything a good cleaning. With everything clean I worked through the polishing steps. The front wheel really polished nice. The front rim turned out almost perfect. New bearings and grease and the front wheel spins for ever. I couldn't be happier with the front wheel.
Tansy's Schwinn Breeze 3 Speed Restoration Front Wheel Before |
Tansy's Schwinn Breeze 3 Speed Restoration Front Wheel Hub Before |
Tansy's Schwinn Breeze 3 Speed Restoration Front Wheel Rim Before |
Tansy's Schwinn Breeze 3 Speed Restoration Front Wheel Hub Old Grease |
Tansy's Schwinn Breeze 3 Speed Restoration Front Wheel Hub Polished |
Tansy's Schwinn Breeze 3 Speed Restoration Front Axle Ready |
Tansy's Schwinn Breeze 3 Speed Restoration Front Wheel Bearings Packed |
Tansy's Schwinn Breeze 3 Speed Restoration Front Wheel Complete |
Tansy's Schwinn Breeze 3 Speed Restoration Front Wheel Rim Complete |
Tansy's Schwinn Breeze 3 Speed Restoration Front Wheel Installed |
Check back soon!
The rear wheel had some rough areas and the internal hub was pretty guncked up but overall I have seen much worse. The rims polished beautifully they look like new and are pretty amazing for where they started from. The internal hub took a lot of flushing and cleaning but it now works super smooth. I am thrilled with the results of the rear wheel! Hard to beat how it turned out.
Tansy's Schwinn Breeze 3 Speed Restoration Rear Wheel Before |
Tansy's Schwinn Breeze 3 Speed Restoration Rear Wheel Hub Before |
Tansy's Schwinn Breeze 3 Speed Restoration Rear Wheel Hub Before |
Tansy's Schwinn Breeze 3 Speed Restoration Rear Wheel Rim Before |
Tansy's Schwinn Breeze 3 Speed Restoration Rear Wheel Hub Gunked Up |
Tansy's Schwinn Breeze 3 Speed Restoration Rear Wheel Hub Flushed and Lubricated |
Tansy's Schwinn Breeze 3 Speed Restoration Rear Wheel Drive Side Pieces Before |
Tansy's Schwinn Breeze 3 Speed Restoration Drive Side Bearings Packed |
Tansy's Schwinn Breeze 3 Speed Restoration Rear Wheel Drive Side Complete |
Tansy's Schwinn Breeze 3 Speed Restoration Non-Drive Side Before |
Tansy's Schwinn Breeze 3 Speed Restoration Rear Wheel Non-Drive Side Pieces |
Tansy's Schwinn Breeze 3 Speed Restoration Rear Wheel Non-Drive Side Pieces Ready |
Tansy's Schwinn Breeze 3 Speed Restoration Rear Wheel Complete |
Tansy's Schwinn Breeze 3 Speed Restoration Rear Wheel Complete |
Tansy's Schwinn Breeze 3 Speed Restoration Wheels Complete |
Tansy's Schwinn Breeze 3 Speed Restoration New S-6 Tires |
Tansy's Schwinn Breeze 3 Speed Restoration Tires Installed |
Tansy's Schwinn Breeze 3 Speed Restoration New Cables & Cable Housings |
Tansy's Schwinn Breeze 3 Speed Restoration Bicycle Wired |
Tansy's Schwinn Breeze 3 Speed Restoration Bicycle Wired |
Tansy's Schwinn Breeze 3 Speed Restoration Bicycle Wired |
Tansy's Schwinn Breeze 3 Speed Restoration Handlebar Grips After |
Tansy's Schwinn Breeze 3 Speed Restoration Handlebar Grips Installed |
Tansy's Schwinn Breeze 3 Speed Restoration New Seat |
Tansy's Schwinn Breeze 3 Speed Restoration New Seat |
Tansy's Schwinn Breeze 3 Speed Restoration New Seat Installed |
Tansy's Schwinn Breeze 3 Speed Restoration Pedals Before |
Tansy's Schwinn Breeze 3 Speed Restoration Pedals After |
Tansy's Schwinn Breeze 3 Speed Restoration Chain Cleaned and Installed |
Tansy's Schwinn Breeze 3 Speed Restoration Chain Guard Installed |
While I had a little less cloud cover I took the final photos. The Breeze looks just plain stunning! The red paint came back a long long ways and with the chips filled it looks great! I love the brown seat and the gum wall tires, I think they give the Breeze a lot of character and a classic look. I also like the light silver brake cable housings a lot.
I love the bicycle like the Breeze, they do very well exactly what they where meant to do. They are work hoses, they are practical and they ride great. Best of all they are durable as can be and the three speed hub with maintenance is almost bullet proof. I love this stuff! And I really love 3 speeds!!
Tansy's Schwinn Breeze 3 Speed Restoration Bicycle Complete |
Tansy's Schwinn Breeze 3 Speed Restoration Bicycle Complete |
Tansy's Schwinn Breeze 3 Speed Restoration Bicycle Complete - Handlebars |
Tansy's Schwinn Breeze 3 Speed Restoration Bicycle Complete - Head Tube |
Tansy's Schwinn Breeze 3 Speed Restoration Bicycle Complete - Front Brake |
Tansy's Schwinn Breeze 3 Speed Restoration Bicycle Complete - Front Wheel Hub |
Tansy's Schwinn Breeze 3 Speed Restoration Bicycle Complete - Front Wheel Rim |
Tansy's Schwinn Breeze 3 Speed Restoration Bicycle Complete - Stem |
Tansy's Schwinn Breeze 3 Speed Restoration Bicycle Complete - Handlebar Grip |
Tansy's Schwinn Breeze 3 Speed Restoration Bicycle Complete - Head Tube |
Tansy's Schwinn Breeze 3 Speed Restoration Bicycle Complete - Fork Blades |
Tansy's Schwinn Breeze 3 Speed Restoration Bicycle Complete - Front Wheel Hub |
Tansy's Schwinn Breeze 3 Speed Restoration Bicycle Complete - Down Tube |
Tansy's Schwinn Breeze 3 Speed Restoration Bicycle Complete - Front Half |
Tansy's Schwinn Breeze 3 Speed Restoration Bicycle Complete - Saddle |
Tansy's Schwinn Breeze 3 Speed Restoration Bicycle Complete - Drive Train |
Tansy's Schwinn Breeze 3 Speed Restoration Bicycle Complete - Crank |
Tansy's Schwinn Breeze 3 Speed Restoration Bicycle Complete - Rear Brake |
Tansy's Schwinn Breeze 3 Speed Restoration Bicycle Complete - Rear Wheel Hub |
Tansy's Schwinn Breeze 3 Speed Restoration Bicycle Complete - Rear Wheel Hub |
Tansy's Schwinn Breeze 3 Speed Restoration Bicycle Complete - Rear Wheel Rim |
Tansy's Schwinn Breeze 3 Speed Restoration Bicycle Complete |
Thank you for looking.
hi - I just came home from a trip to the house I grew up in, and returned with my Schwinn Breeze. I have/had high hopes about restoring it, but the bike shop I stopped at basically said they wouldn't touch it for any price. Said the tires were a proprietary size, and that the hubs were old and dangerous, and that the spokes would probably break... so question - did you encounter any of these problems?? I would love to ride my old bike again, I've gotten old and can't ride by mountain bikes comfortably any more. I would like to have a nice step-through, sit up straight and don't put any weight on your hands kind of bike. (and not any...I want my breeze back) how long did it take? Is it something that a person can learn as they go along? thanks
ReplyDeleteI would say that you could get your old bike running again with minor expense and mostly completed by yourself. Most things on a bicycle are very simple in design, that's the beauty. I would suggest new tires, tubes, chain, and cables. Most of this replacement can be performed with general household tools. A specialized "chain breaker" tool will most likely be needed to replace the chain, but youtube how to use it. This will get you back in the saddle. I just recently purchased a 1973 Breeze and plan on doing just this...with a little elbow grease in cleaning.
ReplyDeleteJust want to thank you for your detailed breakdown on restoring a Breeze. I just picked up a beauty, but I need to learn how to take care of her. I've been concerned about how to learn the parts' names and techniques so I don't do damage due to ignorance. You provide a great guide for me to get started by knowing what's what and how to proceed. Many thanks! Your result is lovely.
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ReplyDeleteOne question. When you used "course polish and worked up to the next grits. I then had to go back for one more time with the course polish..." did you take special care around the labels and stickers? Or was the polish gentle enough to preserve them? I'd appreciate knowing the brand you used. Thanks again.
ReplyDeleteYou make so many great points here that I read your article a couple of times. Your views are in accordance with my own for the most part. This is great content for your readers. best spin bike seats
ReplyDelete