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| 1971 Schwinn Super Sport Restoration Raspberry After Restoration |
This 1971 Schwinn Super Sport has definitely been built up in a unique way. First thing is the handlebars and stem, both are French and the handlebars are an old track bike style. I really like the set up, unconventional but also very cool. The derailleurs where replaced with pretty much bullet proof derailleurs. What is also strange is the original wheels with the alloy rims where replaced with steel rims. The steel rims wheels will be replaced with the original alloy rim wheels.
The Super Sport is in a little bit of a rough starting condition but I think the purple paint under all the dirt and dullness is in pretty good condition. The components have a lot of caked on grime and dirt, more then I have seen in a while. That being said the Super Sport will get a total restoration along with new tires, new tire tubes, new cables, new cable housings, new brake pads, new handlebar tape, and replacement original wheels.
I have come to really like the Super Sports with their handmade frames, Brooks saddle, super comfortable riding geometry and versatility in ride and builds. I can't wait to see the purple color polished out and how all those long time ago modifications look after restoration!
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| 1971 Schwinn Super Sport Restoration Raspberry - Bicycle Before |
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| 1971 Schwinn Super Sport Restoration Raspberry - Bicycle Before Handlebars |
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| 1971 Schwinn Super Sport Restoration Raspberry - Bicycle Before Brake Levers |
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| 1971 Schwinn Super Sport Restoration Raspberry - Bicycle Before Front Brake |
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| 1971 Schwinn Super Sport Restoration Raspberry - Bicycle Before Front Wheel Hub |
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| 1971 Schwinn Super Sport Restoration Raspberry - Bicycle Before Front Wheel Rim |
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| 1971 Schwinn Super Sport Restoration Raspberry - Bicycle Before Stem |
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| 1971 Schwinn Super Sport Restoration Raspberry - Bicycle Before Headset |
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| 1971 Schwinn Super Sport Restoration Raspberry - Bicycle Before Down Tube |
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| 1971 Schwinn Super Sport Restoration Raspberry - Bicycle Before Brooks Saddle |
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| 1971 Schwinn Super Sport Restoration Raspberry - Bicycle Before Elgin Illinois Bicycle License |
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| 1971 Schwinn Super Sport Restoration Raspberry - Bicycle Before Seat Tube |
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| 1971 Schwinn Super Sport Restoration Raspberry - Bicycle Before Crank |
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| 1971 Schwinn Super Sport Restoration Raspberry - Bicycle Before Front Derailleur |
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| 1971 Schwinn Super Sport Restoration Raspberry - Bicycle Before Brooks Saddle |
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| 1971 Schwinn Super Sport Restoration Raspberry - Bicycle Before Seat Lug |
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| 1971 Schwinn Super Sport Restoration Raspberry - Bicycle Before Rear Brake Caliper |
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| 1971 Schwinn Super Sport Restoration Raspberry - Bicycle Before Chain Stays |
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| 1971 Schwinn Super Sport Restoration Raspberry - Bicycle Before Rear Derailleur |
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| 1971 Schwinn Super Sport Restoration Raspberry - Bicycle Before Rear Wheel Hub |
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| 1971 Schwinn Super Sport Restoration Raspberry - Bicycle Before Rear Wheel Rim |
I stripped the Super Sport frame of the components. The frame does look rough and very dirty. There are a few chips and scratches but not to bad for the Super Sports age.
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| 1971 Schwinn Super Sport Restoration Raspberry - Frame Before |
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| 1971 Schwinn Super Sport Restoration Raspberry - Frame Before Head Tube |
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| 1971 Schwinn Super Sport Restoration Raspberry - Frame Before Head Tube |
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| 1971 Schwinn Super Sport Restoration Raspberry - Frame Before Head Tube |
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| 1971 Schwinn Super Sport Restoration Raspberry - Frame Before Head Tube |
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| 1971 Schwinn Super Sport Restoration Raspberry - Frame Before Down Tube |
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| 1971 Schwinn Super Sport Restoration Raspberry - Frame Before Seat Lug |
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| 1971 Schwinn Super Sport Restoration Raspberry - Frame Before Seat Tube |
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| 1971 Schwinn Super Sport Restoration Raspberry - Frame Before Bottom Bracket |
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| 1971 Schwinn Super Sport Restoration Raspberry - Frame Before Bottom Bracket |
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| 1971 Schwinn Super Sport Restoration Raspberry - Frame Before Bottom Bracket |
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| 1971 Schwinn Super Sport Restoration Raspberry - Frame Before Seat Stays |
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| 1971 Schwinn Super Sport Restoration Raspberry - Frame Before Chain Stays |
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| 1971 Schwinn Super Sport Restoration Raspberry - Frame Before Drop Outs |
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| 1971 Schwinn Super Sport Restoration Raspberry - Frame Before Fork |
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| 1971 Schwinn Super Sport Restoration Raspberry - Frame Before Fork Crown |
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| 1971 Schwinn Super Sport Restoration Raspberry - Frame Before Fork Crown |
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| 1971 Schwinn Super Sport Restoration Raspberry - Frame Before Fork Drop Outs |
I cleaned the frame, it took a good amount of elbow grease to get a good deep cleaning. With the frame cleaned I worked through the polishing grits. The frame polished beautifully!! Just beautiful!! The Purple color with a deep shine is really quit stunning!! One of Schwinn's very cool colors! I love this stuff!! I love that chrome fork!
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| 1971 Schwinn Super Sport Restoration Raspberry - Frame Polished |
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| 1971 Schwinn Super Sport Restoration Raspberry - Frame Polished Head Tube |
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| 1971 Schwinn Super Sport Restoration Raspberry - Frame Polished Head Tube |
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| 1971 Schwinn Super Sport Restoration Raspberry - Frame Polished Down Tube |
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| 1971 Schwinn Super Sport Restoration Raspberry - Frame Polished Seat Lug |
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| 1971 Schwinn Super Sport Restoration Raspberry - Frame Polished Bottom Bracket |
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| 1971 Schwinn Super Sport Restoration Raspberry - Frame Polished Bottom Bracket |
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| 1971 Schwinn Super Sport Restoration Raspberry - Frame Polished Seat Lugs |
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| 1971 Schwinn Super Sport Restoration Raspberry - Frame Polished Bottom Bracket |
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| 1971 Schwinn Super Sport Restoration Raspberry - Frame Polished Drop Outs |
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| 1971 Schwinn Super Sport Restoration Raspberry - Frame Polished Fork |
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| 1971 Schwinn Super Sport Restoration Raspberry - Frame Polished Fork Crown |
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| 1971 Schwinn Super Sport Restoration Raspberry - Frame Polished Fork Blades |
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| 1971 Schwinn Super Sport Restoration Raspberry - Frame Polished Fork Drop Outs |
The Schwinn headset is y favorite all time headset in looks if the shift levers where not on top of it. The shift levers cover up a beautiful top bearing cap that you never actually see. The headset was very dirty and the bearing races where caked with very hard dried grease. I soaked the pieces in the crock pot and then polished everything. The headset polished very nice and the shift levers even better. The frame and the headset installed is stunning. The purple and chrome just pop! With the bearings packed in new grease the headset spins very smooth.
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| 1971 Schwinn Super Sport Restoration Raspberry - Headset& Shift Levers - Before |
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| 1971 Schwinn Super Sport Restoration Raspberry - Cable HangerBefore |
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| 1971 Schwinn Super Sport Restoration Raspberry - Shift Levers Before |
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| 1971 Schwinn Super Sport Restoration Raspberry Shift Levers - Before |
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| 1971 Schwinn Super Sport Restoration Raspberry Headset & Shift Levers - Polished |
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| 1971 Schwinn Super Sport Restoration Raspberry Pressing Headset Cups |
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| 1971 Schwinn Super Sport Restoration Raspberry Headset Cups Pressed - Stunning!!!! |
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| 1971 Schwinn Super Sport Restoration Raspberry Headset Bearings - Packed |
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| 1971 Schwinn Super Sport Restoration Raspberry Headset - Complete |
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| 1971 Schwinn Super Sport Restoration Raspberry Headset Complete |
Here is where the interesting stuff starts. The handlebars are an old track bar style, very cool but I have never seen them used like this and with brake levers. The stem is a cool French stem with a lot of character. The stem and handlebars took a great deal of polishing but they turned out beautiful. I love this stuff and all the millions of ways to build up a bike. I really wish I knew the story behind this set up.
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| 1971 Schwinn Super Sport Restoration Raspberry Handlebars & Stem - Before |
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| 1971 Schwinn Super Sport Restoration Raspberry Brake Levers - Before |
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| 1971 Schwinn Super Sport Restoration Raspberry Stem - Before |
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| 1971 Schwinn Super Sport Restoration Raspberry Stem & Handlebars - Before |
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| 1971 Schwinn Super Sport Restoration Raspberry Handlebars - Before |
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| 1971 Schwinn Super Sport Restoration Raspberry Handlebars - Before |
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| 1971 Schwinn Super Sport Restoration Raspberry Stem - Before |
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| 1971 Schwinn Super Sport Restoration Raspberry Stem - Exploded |
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| 1971 Schwinn Super Sport Restoration Raspberry Handlebars & Stem - Polished |
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| 1971 Schwinn Super Sport Restoration Raspberry Handlebars - Polished |
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| 1971 Schwinn Super Sport Restoration Raspberry Stem - Polished |
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| 1971 Schwinn Super Sport Restoration Raspberry Stem - Complete |
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| 1971 Schwinn Super Sport Restoration Raspberry Stem & Handlebars - Complete |
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| 1971 Schwinn Super Sport Restoration Raspberry Stem & Handlebars - Complete |
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| 1971 Schwinn Super Sport Restoration Raspberry Stem & Handlebars - Complete - Beautiful!! |
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| 1971 Schwinn Super Sport Restoration Raspberry Stem & Handlebars - Complete |
The brake levers are not original at all but they do have original after market Schwinn lever colors and in purple no less, very rare. I cleaned the brake levers and polished the allow. The levers polished very nice. I have not decided on the brake lever hood yet, the patina is beautiful but I don't think the hoods will hold up. Installed the brake levers look great. I will install the brake lever covers at the end of the restoration.
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| 1971 Schwinn Super Sport Restoration Raspberry Brake Levers - Before |
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| 1971 Schwinn Super Sport Restoration Raspberry Brake Levers - Polished |
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| 1971 Schwinn Super Sport Restoration Raspberry Brake Levers - Installed |
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| 1971 Schwinn Super Sport Restoration Raspberry Brake Levers - Complete |
At this time I cleaned and polished the seat post and seat binder. The seat post polished very nice and the seat color did also. The rear cable hanger did not polish very well since it was very rusty but it is a cool shaped cable hanger. Over all I am happy with the results.
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| 1971 Schwinn Super Sport Restoration Raspberry Seat Post - Before |
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| 1971 Schwinn Super Sport Restoration Raspberry Seat Post & Binder - Polished |
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| 1971 Schwinn Super Sport Restoration Raspberry Seat Post & Binder - Complete |
The brake calipers are very nice center pull calipers but even better then the normal center pulls. These are built differently and I think better, much more solid. The calipers where very dirty, gritty and greasy. I cleaned all the pieces and polished everything on the polishing wheels. I lubricated all the pivot points and installed new brake pads. The calipers turned out fantastic. I love center pull brakes for how they look and work and these came back wonderfully!
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| 1971 Schwinn Super Sport Restoration Raspberry Brake Calipers - Before |
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| 1971 Schwinn Super Sport Restoration Raspberry Brake Calipers - Before |
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| 1971 Schwinn Super Sport Restoration Raspberry Brake Calipers - Exploded |
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| 1971 Schwinn Super Sport Restoration Raspberry Brake Calipers - Polished |
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| 1971 Schwinn Super Sport Restoration Raspberry Brake Calipers - Complete |
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| 1971 Schwinn Super Sport Restoration Raspberry Front Brake Caliper - Installed |
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| 1971 Schwinn Super Sport Restoration Raspberry Rear Brake Caliper - Installed |
The derailleurs are not the original derailleurs but that is okay. The current derailleurs are a good choice, the front derailleur a bullet proof Sun Tour and the rear a bullet proof Shimano 400. The derailleurs where very dirty, very stubborn dirt and very gritty. I cleaned all the pieces and started the polishing. The derailleurs polished fantastic and they work and look great. Installed they look even better. i will install the front derailleur when I install the crank.
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| 1971 Schwinn Super Sport Restoration Raspberry Derailleurs - Before |
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| 1971 Schwinn Super Sport Restoration Raspberry Sun Tour Front Derailleur - Before |
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| 1971 Schwinn Super Sport Restoration Raspberry Sun Tour Front Derailleur - Before |
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| 1971 Schwinn Super Sport Restoration Raspberry Sun Tour Front Derailleur - Before |
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| 1971 Schwinn Super Sport Restoration Raspberry Sun Tour Front Derailleur - Exploded |
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| 1971 Schwinn Super Sport Restoration Raspberry Sun Tour Front Derailleur - Polished |
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| 1971 Schwinn Super Sport Restoration Raspberry Sun Tour Front Derailleur - Complete |
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| 1971 Schwinn Super Sport Restoration Raspberry Sun Tour Front Derailleur - Complete |
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| 1971 Schwinn Super Sport Restoration Raspberry Sun Tour Front Derailleur - Complete |
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| 1971 Schwinn Super Sport Restoration Raspberry Shimano 400 Rear Derailleur - Before |
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| 1971 Schwinn Super Sport Restoration Raspberry Shimano 400 Rear Derailleur - Before |
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| 1971 Schwinn Super Sport Restoration Raspberry Shimano 400 Rear Derailleur - Before |
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| 1971 Schwinn Super Sport Restoration Raspberry Shimano 400 Rear Derailleur - Exploded |
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| 1971 Schwinn Super Sport Restoration Raspberry Shimano 400 Rear Derailleur - Polished |
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| 1971 Schwinn Super Sport Restoration Raspberry Shimano 400 Rear Derailleur - Complete |
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| 1971 Schwinn Super Sport Restoration Raspberry Shimano 400 Rear Derailleur - Complete |
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| 1971 Schwinn Super Sport Restoration Raspberry Shimano 400 Rear Derailleur - Complete |
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| 1971 Schwinn Super Sport Restoration Raspberry Shimano 400 Rear Derailleur - Installed |
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| 1971 Schwinn Super Sport Restoration Raspberry Derailleurs - Complete |
While the crank was soaking I decided to restore the wheels. The wheels are from a Super Sport to replace the steel rim wheels the Super Sport had on it. The wheels where in okay starting shape. I broke down the wheels and started the cleaning and polishing process.
The old grease was nasty but after cleaning it out the wheel hubs and rims polished fantastically. with the bearings packed in new grease the wheels spin forever! I installed the new rim liners, new tire tubes and new gum wall tires. The wheels look amazing installed on the polished purple frame!!
The crank was very dirty and a little beat up. I disassembled the crank and got to the cleaning and polishing. It took a great deal of hand polishing to get the crank looking good but now I would say it looks fantastic! So bright it is hard to photograph. Man that crank looks good on the polished restore bike!
I started the last work on the Super Sport by installing new brake lever hoods. The old hoods where just to far gone after cleaning and pretty much crumbled away. I wish they didn't because they had awesome patina. The ne brake lever hoods look great though installed!
The old grease was nasty but after cleaning it out the wheel hubs and rims polished fantastically. with the bearings packed in new grease the wheels spin forever! I installed the new rim liners, new tire tubes and new gum wall tires. The wheels look amazing installed on the polished purple frame!!
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| 1971 Schwinn Super Sport Restoration Raspberry Rear Wheel - Before |
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| 1971 Schwinn Super Sport Restoration Raspberry Rear Wheel Rim - Before - Look at those nasty old tires! |
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| 1971 Schwinn Super Sport Restoration Raspberry Rear Wheel Hub - Before |
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| 1971 Schwinn Super Sport Restoration Raspberry Rear Wheel Hub - Before |
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| 1971 Schwinn Super Sport Restoration Raspberry Rear Wheel Hub - Old Grease |
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| 1971 Schwinn Super Sport Restoration Raspberry Rear Wheel Hub - Polished |
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| 1971 Schwinn Super Sport Restoration Raspberry REar Wheel Hub - Bearings Packed |
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| 1971 Schwinn Super Sport Restoration Raspberry Axle Pieces Ready |
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| 1971 Schwinn Super Sport Restoration Raspberry New Gum Wall Tires |
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| 1971 Schwinn Super Sport Restoration Raspberry Rear Wheel - Complete |
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| 1971 Schwinn Super Sport Restoration Raspberry Rear Wheel - Complete |
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| 1971 Schwinn Super Sport Restoration Raspberry Front Wheel - Before |
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| 1971 Schwinn Super Sport Restoration Raspberry Front Wheel Hub - Before |
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| 1971 Schwinn Super Sport Restoration Raspberry Front Wheel Rim - Before |
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| 1971 Schwinn Super Sport Restoration Raspberry Front Wheel Hub - Old Grease |
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| 1971 Schwinn Super Sport Restoration Raspberry Front Wheel Hub - Polished |
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| 1971 Schwinn Super Sport Restoration Raspberry Front Wheel Hub - Bearings Packed |
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| 1971 Schwinn Super Sport Restoration Raspberry Front Wheel - Complete |
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| 1971 Schwinn Super Sport Restoration Raspberry Front Wheel - Complete |
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| 1971 Schwinn Super Sport Restoration Raspberry Wheels - Complete |
The crank was very dirty and a little beat up. I disassembled the crank and got to the cleaning and polishing. It took a great deal of hand polishing to get the crank looking good but now I would say it looks fantastic! So bright it is hard to photograph. Man that crank looks good on the polished restore bike!
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| 1971 Schwinn Super Sport Restoration Raspberry Crank - Before |
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| 1971 Schwinn Super Sport Restoration Raspberry Crank - Before |
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| 1971 Schwinn Super Sport Restoration Raspberry Crank - Exploded |
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| 1971 Schwinn Super Sport Restoration Raspberry Crank Hardware - Before |
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| 1971 Schwinn Super Sport Restoration Raspberry Bottom Bracket - Before |
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| 1971 Schwinn Super Sport Restoration Raspberry Crank - Polished |
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| 1971 Schwinn Super Sport Restoration Raspberry Crank - Complete |
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| 1971 Schwinn Super Sport Restoration Raspberry Bottom Bracket - Polished |
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| 1971 Schwinn Super Sport Restoration Raspberry Bearing Cups - Pressed |
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| 1971 Schwinn Super Sport Restoration Raspberry Bottom Bracket Bearings - Packed |
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| 1971 Schwinn Super Sport Restoration Raspberry Crank - Complete |
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| 1971 Schwinn Super Sport Restoration Raspberry Crank - Complete |
I started the last work on the Super Sport by installing new brake lever hoods. The old hoods where just to far gone after cleaning and pretty much crumbled away. I wish they didn't because they had awesome patina. The ne brake lever hoods look great though installed!
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| 1971 Schwinn Super Sport Restoration Raspberry New Brake Lever Hoods |
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| 1971 Schwinn Super Sport Restoration Raspberry New Brake Lever Hoods - Installed Looking Great! |
The original pedals where way to far gone. The owner of the Super Sport had these alloy pedals that came off a very early and rough Schwinn Continental. What great pedals to have! I forgot to take a before photo of the pedals but they polished beautifully and look fantastic installed. Best of all these pedals spin super smooth.
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| 1971 Schwinn Super Sport Restoration Raspberry Original Pedals - To Far Gone |
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| 1971 Schwinn Super Sport Restoration Raspberry Replacement Pedals - Polished & Installed |
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| 1971 Schwinn Super Sport Restoration Raspberry Brooks Saddle - Before |
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| 1971 Schwinn Super Sport Restoration Raspberry Brooks Saddle - Before |
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| 1971 Schwinn Super Sport Restoration Raspberry Brooks Saddle - Cleaned & Conditioned |
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| 1971 Schwinn Super Sport Restoration Raspberry Brooks Saddle Installed - I love this stuff!! |
Time to wire the Super Sport. I chose the dark ice gray color for the cable housings, I think it is the perfect color to go with the purple frame. Everything wired very nice and everything works very smooth now.
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| 1971 Schwinn Super Sport Restoration Raspberry New Cables & Cable Housings |
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| 1971 Schwinn Super Sport Restoration Raspberry Cables - Complete |
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| 1971 Schwinn Super Sport Restoration Raspberry Cables - Complete |
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| 1971 Schwinn Super Sport Restoration Raspberry New Handlebar Tape - Installed |
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| 1971 Schwinn Super Sport Restoration Raspberry Handlebar Tape - Complete |
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| 1971 Schwinn Super Sport Restoration Raspberry Super Sport - Complete |
The looks of the Super Sport are amazing. The polished Raspberry color is amazing. The Brooks saddle after being treated is perfect. The handlebars and stem add a tone of character and style. I really wish I knew the idea behind all the changes way back when.
The lighting was perfect for the final photos but I think they Super Sport shines through!
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| 1971 Schwinn Super Sport Restoration Raspberry Bicycle Complete |
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| 1971 Schwinn Super Sport Restoration Raspberry Bicycle Complete |
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| 1971 Schwinn Super Sport Restoration Raspberry Bicycle Complete |
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| 1971 Schwinn Super Sport Restoration Raspberry Bicycle Complete - Handlebars |
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| 1971 Schwinn Super Sport Restoration Raspberry Bicycle Complete - Handlebars |
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| 1971 Schwinn Super Sport Restoration Raspberry Bicycle Complete - Stem & Handlebars |
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| 1971 Schwinn Super Sport Restoration Raspberry Bicycle Complete - Head Tube |
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| 1971 Schwinn Super Sport Restoration Raspberry Bicycle Complete - Front Brake |
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| 1971 Schwinn Super Sport Restoration Raspberry Bicycle Complete - Front Wheel Hub |
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| 1971 Schwinn Super Sport Restoration Raspberry Bicycle Complete - Front Wheel Rim |
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| 1971 Schwinn Super Sport Restoration Raspberry Bicycle Complete - Handlebars |
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| 1971 Schwinn Super Sport Restoration Raspberry Bicycle Complete - Stem & Shift Levers |
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| 1971 Schwinn Super Sport Restoration Raspberry Bicycle Complete - Front Half |
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| 1971 Schwinn Super Sport Restoration Raspberry Bicycle Complete - Brooks Saddle |
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| 1971 Schwinn Super Sport Restoration Raspberry Bicycle Complete - Drive Train |
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| 1971 Schwinn Super Sport Restoration Raspberry Bicycle Complete - Crank |
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| 1971 Schwinn Super Sport Restoration Raspberry Bicycle Complete - Front Derailleur |
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| 1971 Schwinn Super Sport Restoration Raspberry Bicycle Complete - Rear Derailleur |
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| 1971 Schwinn Super Sport Restoration Raspberry Bicycle Complete - Brooks Saddle |
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| 1971 Schwinn Super Sport Restoration Raspberry Bicycle Complete - Rear Brake Calipers |
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| 1971 Schwinn Super Sport Restoration Raspberry Bicycle Complete - Rear Wheel Hub |
John Z.
