John's Bicycle Restorations: Brian C's Schwinn Copper Tone Traveler Restoration - Best Color Ever and a Very Underrated Bicycle!

This is Brian's 1960 Schwinn Traveler, Brian is the son of my friend Dave. First off the Traveler is the best color ever! I love the Schwinn Copper Tone color. What isn't know much about the Traveler is it is a great riding bike. It is heavy but that doesn't affect the ride, in fact it makes it a little better. The Traveler is a great bike for cursing the town, getting a few things at the market or just hitting the coffee shop or getting ice cream. It is a very underrated bicycle.

The Traveler is a 3 speed which makes it even better in my book, most everyone knows how much I love three speeds. The Strumey Archer hubs are almost indestructible with maintenance. The Traveler is in pretty descent starting shape. I think the paint will come back a long way. I think the chrome will polish like new. I can't wait to see the results and to test ride the Traveler!

Brian C's 1960 Schwinn Traveler Restoration - Bicycle Before

Brian C's 1960 Schwinn Traveler Restoration - Bicycle Before
Handlebars

Brian C's 1960 Schwinn Traveler Restoration - Bicycle Before
Head Light

Brian C's 1960 Schwinn Traveler Restoration - Bicycle Before
Head Tube

Brian C's 1960 Schwinn Traveler Restoration - Bicycle Before
Front Brake Caliper

Brian C's 1960 Schwinn Traveler Restoration - Bicycle Before
Front Wheel Hub

Brian C's 1960 Schwinn Traveler Restoration - Bicycle Before
Front Wheel Rim

Brian C's 1960 Schwinn Traveler Restoration - Bicycle Before
Front Wheel Hub

Brian C's 1960 Schwinn Traveler Restoration - Bicycle Before
Head Tube

Brian C's 1960 Schwinn Traveler Restoration - Bicycle Before
Seat

Brian C's 1960 Schwinn Traveler Restoration - Bicycle Before
3 Speed Cable Bracket

Brian C's 1960 Schwinn Traveler Restoration - Bicycle Before
Drive Train

Brian C's 1960 Schwinn Traveler Restoration - Bicycle Before
Crank

Brian C's 1960 Schwinn Traveler Restoration - Bicycle Before
Rear Wheel Caliper

Brian C's 1960 Schwinn Traveler Restoration - Bicycle Before
Rear 3 Speed Wheel Hub

Brian C's 1960 Schwinn Traveler Restoration - Bicycle Before
3 Speed Wheel Hub

Brian C's 1960 Schwinn Traveler Restoration - Bicycle Before
Rear Wheel Rim

Brian C's 1960 Schwinn Traveler Restoration - Bicycle Before
Pedals

Brian C's 1960 Schwinn Traveler Restoration - Bicycle Before
Rear Reflector

With the Traveler broken down to the frame I think the paint is in descent shape. It has some dullness and grime and maybe a little blotching but I think it will clean well and polish very well.

Brian C's 1960 Schwinn Traveler Restoration - Frame Before

Brian C's 1960 Schwinn Traveler Restoration - Frame Before
Head Tube

Brian C's 1960 Schwinn Traveler Restoration - Frame Before
Top Tube

Brian C's 1960 Schwinn Traveler Restoration - Frame Before
Down Tube

Brian C's 1960 Schwinn Traveler Restoration - Frame Before
Seat Lug

Brian C's 1960 Schwinn Traveler Restoration - Frame Before
Seat Tube

Brian C's 1960 Schwinn Traveler Restoration - Frame Before
Bottom Bracket

Brian C's 1960 Schwinn Traveler Restoration - Frame Before
Kick Stand

Brian C's 1960 Schwinn Traveler Restoration - Frame Before
Seat Area

Brian C's 1960 Schwinn Traveler Restoration - Frame Before
Seat Stays

Brian C's 1960 Schwinn Traveler Restoration - Frame Before
Drop Outs

Brian C's 1960 Schwinn Traveler Restoration - Frame Before
Fork

Brian C's 1960 Schwinn Traveler Restoration - Frame Before
Fork Crown

Brian C's 1960 Schwinn Traveler Restoration - Frame Before
Fork Blade

Brian C's 1960 Schwinn Traveler Restoration - Frame Before
Fork Drop Outs

I gave the frame a deep cleaning and then started working through the polishing grits. The frame polished beautifully. The blotching polished away. The color came back much brighter and the decals whitened beautifully. I am very pleased with how the frame polished!! There are a very paint chips but not bad at all.

Brian C's 1960 Schwinn Traveler Restoration - Frame Polished

Brian C's 1960 Schwinn Traveler Restoration - Frame Polished
Head Tube

Brian C's 1960 Schwinn Traveler Restoration - Frame Polished
Top Tube

Brian C's 1960 Schwinn Traveler Restoration - Frame Polished
Down Tube

Brian C's 1960 Schwinn Traveler Restoration - Frame Polished
Seat Lug

Brian C's 1960 Schwinn Traveler Restoration - Frame Polished
Seat Tube

Brian C's 1960 Schwinn Traveler Restoration - Frame Polished
Bottom Bracket

Brian C's 1960 Schwinn Traveler Restoration - Frame Polished
Seat Stays

Brian C's 1960 Schwinn Traveler Restoration - Frame Polished
Drop Outs

Brian C's 1960 Schwinn Traveler Restoration - Frame Polished
Drop Out

Brian C's 1960 Schwinn Traveler Restoration - Frame Polished
Drop Outs

Brian C's 1960 Schwinn Traveler Restoration - Frame Polished
Fork

Brian C's 1960 Schwinn Traveler Restoration - Frame Polished
Fork Crown

Brian C's 1960 Schwinn Traveler Restoration - Frame Polished
Fork Blade

Brian C's 1960 Schwinn Traveler Restoration - Frame Polished
Fork Drop Outs

Brian C's 1960 Schwinn Traveler Restoration - Frame Polished
Fork Rust Removed

I had a hard time removing the stem, you can see the rust around the stem. I also had a hard time breaking the headset lock cap free, I had to use heat and a 3 foot wrench. Eventually the headset broke free. There was a good deal of rust inside the fork tube but that should clean up well and a coat of grease on the stem and inside the fork tube will prevent it from happening again.