Tuesday, May 12, 2015

Yin's 1970's Schwinn Breeze Restoration & Build - A Beautiful Rare Red Color

Yin's 1970's Schwinn Breeze Restoration & Build - After Restoration
Yin contacted me a couple weeks ago knowing exactly what was wanted, a Schwinn Breeze with a coaster brake, not the 3 speed version and no wire brakes.  Keep it simple, exactly how I like my own bicycles.  

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!

Yin's 1970's Schwinn Breeze Restoration & Build - Bicycle Before

Yin's 1970's Schwinn Breeze Restoration & Build
Bicycle Before- Head Tube

Yin's 1970's Schwinn Breeze Restoration & Build
 Bicycle Before - Headset

Yin's 1970's Schwinn Breeze Restoration & Build
Bicycle Before - Front

Yin's 1970's Schwinn Breeze Restoration & Build
Bicycle Before - Down Tube - Poor Photo

Yin's 1970's Schwinn Breeze Restoration & Build
Bicycle Before - Seat Area

Yin's 1970's Schwinn Breeze Restoration & Build
Bicycle Before - Bottom Bracket

Yin's 1970's Schwinn Breeze Restoration & Build
Bicycle Before - Bottom Bracket

Yin's 1970's Schwinn Breeze Restoration & Build - Bicycle Before
Bottom Bracket

Yin's 1970's Schwinn Breeze Restoration & Build
 Bicycle Before - Seat Post

Yin's 1970's Schwinn Breeze Restoration & Build - Bicycle Before
Chain Stays

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.

Yin's 1970's Schwinn Breeze Restoration & Build - Frame Before

Yin's 1970's Schwinn Breeze Restoration & Build
Frame Before - Head Tube

Yin's 1970's Schwinn Breeze Restoration & Build
Frame Before - Head Tube

Yin's 1970's Schwinn Breeze Restoration & Build - Frame Before
Down Tube

Yin's 1970's Schwinn Breeze Restoration & Build
Frame Before - Seat Area

Yin's 1970's Schwinn Breeze Restoration & Build - Frame Before
Bottom Bracket

Yin's 1970's Schwinn Breeze Restoration & Build - Frame Before
Bottom Bracket

Yin's 1970's Schwinn Breeze Restoration & Build - Frame Before
Bottom Bracket

Yin's 1970's Schwinn Breeze Restoration & Build
Frame Before - Seat Area

Yin's 1970's Schwinn Breeze Restoration & Build
Frame Before - Drop Outs

Yin's 1970's Schwinn Breeze Restoration & Build
Frame Before - Fork

Yin's 1970's Schwinn Breeze Restoration & Build - Frame Before
Fork Crown

Yin's 1970's Schwinn Breeze Restoration & Build
Frame Before - Fork Blades

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!!


Yin's 1970's Schwinn Breeze Restoration & Build - Frame Polished

Yin's 1970's Schwinn Breeze Restoration & Build
Frame Polished - Head Tube

Yin's 1970's Schwinn Breeze Restoration & Build
Frame Polished - Head Tube

Yin's 1970's Schwinn Breeze Restoration & Build
Frame Polished - Down Tube Decal
Poor Photo

Yin's 1970's Schwinn Breeze Restoration & Build
Frame Polished - Seat Area

Yin's 1970's Schwinn Breeze Restoration & Build - Frame Polished
Bottom Bracket

Yin's 1970's Schwinn Breeze Restoration & Build - Frame Polished
Bottom Bracket

Yin's 1970's Schwinn Breeze Restoration & Build - Frame Polished
Bottom Bracket

Yin's 1970's Schwinn Breeze Restoration & Build
Frame Polished - Seat Lug

Yin's 1970's Schwinn Breeze Restoration & Build - Frame Polished
Drop Outs

Yin's 1970's Schwinn Breeze Restoration & Build
Frame Polished - Fork

Yin's 1970's Schwinn Breeze Restoration & Build
Frame Polished - Fork Crown

Yin's 1970's Schwinn Breeze Restoration & Build
Frame Polished - Fork Blades

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.

Yin's 1970's Schwinn Breeze Restoration & Build - Headset
Before

Yin's 1970's Schwinn Breeze Restoration & Build - Headset
Polished

Yin's 1970's Schwinn Breeze Restoration & Build
Pressing Headset Cups

Yin's 1970's Schwinn Breeze Restoration & Build
Headset Cups - Pressed

Yin's 1970's Schwinn Breeze Restoration & Build - Headset Bearings
Packed

Yin's 1970's Schwinn Breeze Restoration & Build
Headset - Complete

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!


Yin's 1970's Schwinn Breeze Restoration & Build
Crank & Bottom Bracket - Before
Yin's 1970's Schwinn Breeze Restoration & Build
Crank & Bottom Bracket - Polished

Yin's 1970's Schwinn Breeze Restoration & Build - Pressing
Bottom Bracket Cups

Yin's 1970's Schwinn Breeze Restoration & Build
Bottom Bracket Cups - Pressed

Yin's 1970's Schwinn Breeze Restoration & Build
Bottom Bracket Bearings - Packed

Yin's 1970's Schwinn Breeze Restoration & Build
Bottom Bracket - Complete

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!

Yin's 1970's Schwinn Breeze Restoration & Build
Wrong Stem - Before

Yin's 1970's Schwinn Breeze Restoration & Build
Wrong Stem - Exploded

Yin's 1970's Schwinn Breeze Restoration & Build
Wrong Stem - Polished

Yin's 1970's Schwinn Breeze Restoration & Build
Wrong Stem - Complete

Yin's 1970's Schwinn Breeze Restoration & Build
Schwinn "S" Stem - Before


Yin's 1970's Schwinn Breeze Restoration & Build
Schwinn "S" Stem - Exploded

Yin's 1970's Schwinn Breeze Restoration & Build
Schwinn "S" Stem - Polished

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!

Yin's 1970's Schwinn Breeze Restoration & Build - Seat PostPolished

Yin's 1970's Schwinn Breeze Restoration & Build
New Saddle

Yin's 1970's Schwinn Breeze Restoration & Build
Saddle - Installed

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.


Yin's 1970's Schwinn Breeze Restoration & Build - New Handlebars

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!

Yin's 1970's Schwinn Breeze Restoration & Build
New Replacement Rear Wheel

Yin's 1970's Schwinn Breeze Restoration & Build
New Replacement Front Wheel

Yin's 1970's Schwinn Breeze Restoration & Build - Wheels Fitted

Yin's 1970's Schwinn Breeze Restoration & Build
New Kenda Gum Wall Tires

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!

Yin's 1970's Schwinn Breeze Restoration & Build - New Pedals

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!!

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.

Yin's 1970's Schwinn Breeze Restoration & Build - Front Fender
Before

Yin's 1970's Schwinn Breeze Restoration & Build
Front Fender - Before

Yin's 1970's Schwinn Breeze Restoration & Build - Front Fender
Polished

Yin's 1970's Schwinn Breeze Restoration & Build
Front Fender - Polished

Yin's 1970's Schwinn Breeze Restoration & Build
Front Fender - Installed

Yin's 1970's Schwinn Breeze Restoration & Build
Front Fender - Complete

Yin's 1970's Schwinn Breeze Restoration & Build - Rear Fender
Before

Yin's 1970's Schwinn Breeze Restoration & Build
Rear Fender - Before

Yin's 1970's Schwinn Breeze Restoration & Build
Rear Fender - Before

Yin's 1970's Schwinn Breeze Restoration & Build
Rear Fender - Installed

Yin's 1970's Schwinn Breeze Restoration & Build - Rear Fender
Complete

Yin's 1970's Schwinn Breeze Restoration & Build - Fenders
Complete
 It is now time to cut down the handlebars.  I took a very rusty and unusable set of Schwinn handlebars and held them to the new handlebars and marked a length  I then used a piece of tape to mark the cut line.  The handlebars cut very smooth and straight and installed I am very happy with the length.  The handlebars look very good cut.

Yin's 1970's Schwinn Breeze Restoration & Build - Handlebars
Marked

Yin's 1970's Schwinn Breeze Restoration & Build - One Side
Handlebars Cut

Yin's 1970's Schwinn Breeze Restoration & Build - Handlebars
Cut

Yin's 1970's Schwinn Breeze Restoration & Build - Handlebars
Installed

Yin's 1970's Schwinn Breeze Restoration & Build - Handlebars
Installed
With the handlebars cut and the cork handlebar grips installed its time to shellac the cork grips.  I masked off the cork grips and applied around 7 or 8 coats of shellac.  The grips look great shellacked and I will remove the tape when dry.

Yin's 1970's Schwinn Breeze Restoration & Build - Cork Handlebar
Grips - Installed

Yin's 1970's Schwinn Breeze Restoration & Build - Cork Handlebar
Grips - Shellacked

Yin's 1970's Schwinn Breeze Restoration & Build - Cork Handlebar
Grips - Shellacked

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.
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.

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.

Yin's 1970's Schwinn Breeze Restoration & Build - Bicycle Complete

Yin's 1970's Schwinn Breeze Restoration & Build - Bicycle Complete
Yin's 1970's Schwinn Breeze Restoration & Build - Bicycle Complete

Yin's 1970's Schwinn Breeze Restoration & Build - Bicycle Complete
Handlebars

Yin's 1970's Schwinn Breeze Restoration & Build - Bicycle Complete
Head Tube

Yin's 1970's Schwinn Breeze Restoration & Build - Bicycle Complete
Front Wheel

Yin's 1970's Schwinn Breeze Restoration & Build - Bicycle Complete
Handlebar Grips

Yin's 1970's Schwinn Breeze Restoration & Build - Bicycle Complete
Schwinn "S" Stem

Yin's 1970's Schwinn Breeze Restoration & Build - Bicycle Complete
Down Tube Decal

Yin's 1970's Schwinn Breeze Restoration & Build - Bicycle Complete
Front Half

Yin's 1970's Schwinn Breeze Restoration & Build - Bicycle Complete
Saddle

Yin's 1970's Schwinn Breeze Restoration & Build - Bicycle Complete
Chicago Decal - Amazing Condition!!

Yin's 1970's Schwinn Breeze Restoration & Build - Bicycle Complete
Drive Train

Yin's 1970's Schwinn Breeze Restoration & Build - Bicycle Complete
Crank

Yin's 1970's Schwinn Breeze Restoration & Build - Bicycle Complete
Rear Hub

Yin's 1970's Schwinn Breeze Restoration & Build - Bicycle Complete
Saddle

Yin's 1970's Schwinn Breeze Restoration & Build - Bicycle Complete
Rear Wheel Hub

Yin's 1970's Schwinn Breeze Restoration & Build - Bicycle Complete
Rear Fender & Reflector

Yin's 1970's Schwinn Breeze Restoration & Build - Bicycle Complete


Thank you for all the interest and work!
John Z.

1 comment:

  1. 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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