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| David C's 1973 Schwinn Continental New Paint Bicycle Complete - After Restoration |
The Continental had a few changes made like the three piece crank adapter and the areo brake levers. This time we are going to make a few more changes and of course the new paint. The Continental has been a great bike for David. It has a great ride, it is one of David's most comfortable fitting bikes, it has great geometry and at one point we even installed alloy rimmed 700c wheels.
Real quick, David has a beautiful Schwinn collection but I just want to add links here to my two favorites of his. The first is a 1982 Schwinn Baby Paramount Superior and the second is my all time favorite bicycle, a 1977 Schwinn Volare in red. Check the overhaul/restoration on them!
The Continental will be getting a new powder coat paint job in beautiful Copper Tone. The Continental will also get a new taller stem and a new wheel set from a Schwinn Super Sport. I am very excited to see how the copper tone turns out, Copper Tone in one of my favorite shades for a color.
Right now the Continental has now wheels.
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| David C's 1973 Schwinn Continental New Paint - Bicycle Before |
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| David C's 1973 Schwinn Continental New Paint - Bicycle Before Handlebars |
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| David C's 1973 Schwinn Continental New Paint - Bicycle Before Front |
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| David C's 1973 Schwinn Continental New Paint - Bicycle Before Stem & Shift Levers |
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| David C's 1973 Schwinn Continental New Paint - Bicycle Before Head Tube |
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| David C's 1973 Schwinn Continental New Paint - Bicycle Before Fork |
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| David C's 1973 Schwinn Continental New Paint - Bicycle Before Seat Post |
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| David C's 1973 Schwinn Continental New Paint - Bicycle Before Crank |
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| David C's 1973 Schwinn Continental New Paint - Bicycle Before Front Derailleur |
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| David C's 1973 Schwinn Continental New Paint - Bicycle Before Rear Brake |
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| David C's 1973 Schwinn Continental New Paint - Bicycle Before Rear Derailleur |
I stripped the components from the frame.
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| David C's 1973 Schwinn Continental New Paint - Frame Before |
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| David C's 1973 Schwinn Continental New Paint - Frame Before Head Tube |
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| David C's 1973 Schwinn Continental New Paint - Frame Before Head Tube |
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| David C's 1973 Schwinn Continental New Paint - Frame Before Head Tube |
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| David C's 1973 Schwinn Continental New Paint - Frame Before Down Tube |
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| David C's 1973 Schwinn Continental New Paint - Frame Before Seat Lug Area |
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| David C's 1973 Schwinn Continental New Paint - Frame Before Seat Tube |
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| David C's 1973 Schwinn Continental New Paint - Frame Before Bottom Bracket |
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| David C's 1973 Schwinn Continental New Paint - Frame Before Bottom Bracket |
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| David C's 1973 Schwinn Continental New Paint - Frame Before Bottom Bracket |
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| David C's 1973 Schwinn Continental New Paint - Frame Before Seat Lug |
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| David C's 1973 Schwinn Continental New Paint - Frame Before Seat Stays |
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| David C's 1973 Schwinn Continental New Paint - Frame Before Chain Stays |
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| David C's 1973 Schwinn Continental New Paint - Frame Before Fork |
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| David C's 1973 Schwinn Continental New Paint - Frame Before Fork Crown |
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| David C's 1973 Schwinn Continental New Paint - Frame Before Fork Blades |
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| David C's 1973 Schwinn Continental New Paint - Frame Before Fork Drop Outs |
I guess I forgot to take photos of the frame and fork prepared for powder coating. I did take these few photos with the paint stripping almost complete. The frame is still in great shape for 40+ years old.
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| David C's 1973 Schwinn Continental New Paint Paint Stripping Almost Complete |
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| David C's 1973 Schwinn Continental New Paint Paint Stripping Almost Complete |
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| David C's 1973 Schwinn Continental New Paint Paint Stripping Almost Complete |
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| David C's 1973 Schwinn Continental New Paint Paint Stripping Almost Complete |
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| David C's 1973 Schwinn Continental New Paint Paint Stripping Almost Complete |
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| David C's 1973 Schwinn Continental New Paint Paint Stripping Almost Complete |
The powder coating was a challenging process. First a primer like base coat in a bright silver was put down. The bright silver base is there to even out the copper color. The copper color has a slight transparency to it to help give it a pearl quality.
Next the copper tone powder went down. This was challenging to apply the powder very evenly. The copper tone needs to be very even so the transparency is even all the way through. Last I put a nice high gloss clear over it to give it depth.
I think the color turned out just fantastic. The copper is even and has a beautiful gold fleck in it. It was challenging but worth every bit. I love copper tone and this is right there! I couldn't wait to see so I installed the Schwinn head badge. Man that is beautiful against the new paint!!
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| David C's 1973 Schwinn Continental New Paint Paint Complete - Beautiful!! |
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| David C's 1973 Schwinn Continental New PaintPaint Complete - Head Tube |
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| David C's 1973 Schwinn Continental New PaintPaint Complete - Head Tube |
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| David C's 1973 Schwinn Continental New PaintPaint Complete - Head Tube |
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| David C's 1973 Schwinn Continental New PaintPaint Complete - Seat Area |
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| David C's 1973 Schwinn Continental New PaintPaint Complete - Bottom Bracket |
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| David C's 1973 Schwinn Continental New PaintPaint Complete - Seat Stays |
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| David C's 1973 Schwinn Continental New PaintPaint Complete - Seat Stays |
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| David C's 1973 Schwinn Continental New PaintPaint Complete - Drop Outs |
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| David C's 1973 Schwinn Continental New PaintPaint Complete |
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| David C's 1973 Schwinn Continental New Paint Paint Complete |
And here is the photo that makes it all. The head Bade installed!
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| David C's 1973 Schwinn Continental New Paint Head Badge - Installed |
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| David C's 1973 Schwinn Continental New Paint Paint Complete - Fork |
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| David C's 1973 Schwinn Continental New Paint Paint Complete - Fork |
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| David C's 1973 Schwinn Continental New Paint Paint Complete - Fork |
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| David C's 1973 Schwinn Continental New Paint Paint Complete - Fork Crown |
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| David C's 1973 Schwinn Continental New Paint Paint Complete - Fork Drop Outs |
Now I had to install the chrome fork crown cover. Amazing!!
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| David C's 1973 Schwinn Continental New Paint Fork Crown Cap - Installed |
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| David C's 1973 Schwinn Continental New Paint Fork Crown Cap - Installed |
With the frame painting complete I started installing the components. I did not polish the components but I did run them through the sonic cleaner a couple of times. The pieces turned out good when cleaned. The headset and bottom bracket where first to install.
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| David C's 1973 Schwinn Continental New Paint Headset & Bottom Bracket - Cleaned |
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| David C's 1973 Schwinn Continental New Paint Shift Levers - Cleaned |
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| David C's 1973 Schwinn Continental New Paint Pressing Headset Cups |
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| David C's 1973 Schwinn Continental New Paint Headset - Complete |
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| David C's 1973 Schwinn Continental New Paint Headset Complete |
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| David C's 1973 Schwinn Continental New Paint Bottom Bracket - Complete |
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| David C's 1973 Schwinn Continental New Paint Headset & Bottom Bracket - Complete |
Next I installed the brake calipers after they went through the sonic cleaner. The calipers look fantastic against that new copper tone paint. I remember way back in 1st grade around 1981-82 when we lived in Upper Michigan someone in town had a this same color Chevy Corvette that I thought was the coolest car ever. I later at Christmas I got a model of the Corvette in the same color. I loved building plastic model kits of cars and I still do now just very very rare that I do.
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| David C's 1973 Schwinn Continental New Paint Front Brake Caliper - Installed |
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| David C's 1973 Schwinn Continental New Paint Rear Brake Caliper - Installed |
Next I installed the crank and derailleurs. I forgot to take a photo of the crank installed. The derailleurs cleaned up beautifully in the sonic cleaner. Man I love this stuff!!
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| David C's 1973 Schwinn Continental New Paint Rear Derailleur - installed |
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| David C's 1973 Schwinn Continental New Paint Front Derailleur - Installed |
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| David C's 1973 Schwinn Continental New Paint Front Derailleur - Installed |
The wheels that where on the Continental for a while where extremely nice 700c Ayra wheels, those went on Dave's Schwinn Volare that need wheels. We went through a lot of options for wheels and decided on these wheels from a Schwinn Super Sport. The wheels where rough to start with but they are all together. I was going to restore the wheels and sell them for someone else to restore their Super Sport but I am really glad they are going to David.
The spokes where no good so I ordered new spokes. I broke the wheels down and polished the hubs on the polishing wheels. The hubs polished beautifully! Just amazing! I also polished the wheel rims and they turned out just as nice.
With the wheel components polished I laced the wheels. The wheels look amazing with the new chrome spokes. With the wheels laced I restored the axle pieces and packed new bearings. The wheels spin so smooth!
I think these wheels are the perfect choice for the Continental. They are true to the era but are some of the better Schwinn wheels from the era. Very cool!!
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| David C's 1973 Schwinn Continental New Paint Front Wheel Schwinn Wheel - Before |
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| David C's 1973 Schwinn Continental New Paint Front Wheel Hub - Before |
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| David C's 1973 Schwinn Continental New Paint Front Wheel Rim - Before |
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| David C's 1973 Schwinn Continental New Paint Front Wheel Hub - Old Grease |
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| David C's 1973 Schwinn Continental New Paint\ Rear Wheel - Before |
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| David C's 1973 Schwinn Continental New Paint Rear Wheel Hub - Before |
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| David C's 1973 Schwinn Continental New Paint Rear Wheel Hub - Before |
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| David C's 1973 Schwinn Continental New Paint Rear Wheel Rim - Before |
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| David C's 1973 Schwinn Continental New Paint Rear Wheel Hub - Old Grease |
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| David C's 1973 Schwinn Continental New Paint Wheel Hubs - Before |
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| David C's 1973 Schwinn Continental New Paint Wheel Hubs - Before |
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| David C's 1973 Schwinn Continental New Paint Wheel Hubs - Polished |
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| David C's 1973 Schwinn Continental New Paint Wheel Hubs -Polished |
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| David C's 1973 Schwinn Continental New Paint Wheel Hubs - Polished |
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| David C's 1973 Schwinn Continental New Paint Rear Wheel - Laced |
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| David C's 1973 Schwinn Continental New Paint Front Wheel Rim - Laced |
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| David C's 1973 Schwinn Continental New Paint Wheel - Laced |
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| David C's 1973 Schwinn Continental New Paint Front Wheel - Laced |
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| David C's 1973 Schwinn Continental New Paint Front Wheel - Laced |
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| David C's 1973 Schwinn Continental New Paint Front Wheel Rim - Laced |
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| David C's 1973 Schwinn Continental New Paint New Rear Wheel Bearings - Packed |
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| David C's 1973 Schwinn Continental New Paint Axle Pieces - Ready |
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| David C's 1973 Schwinn Continental New Paint Rear Wheel - Complete |
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| David C's 1973 Schwinn Continental New Paint New Front Wheel Bearings - Packed |
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| David C's 1973 Schwinn Continental New Paint Front Wheel - Complete |
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| David C's 1973 Schwinn Continental New Paint Wheels - Complete |
The next things I worked on on the Continental where the new decals, new cloth handlebar tape and installed the new tires. I think the order I accomplished the task is out of order of how I took photos.
The decals are reproduction decals based on the original. They are pretty nice quality and went on easy. The decals really make a huge difference, the decals make the copper tone paint just pop. The decals look so go with the paint color. I am thrilled with the results. I love the photo of the starburst decals on the fork.
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| David C's 1973 Schwinn Continental New Paint New Decals |
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| David C's 1973 Schwinn Continental New Paint Fork Star Burst Decals |
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| David C's 1973 Schwinn Continental New Paint Fork Star Burst Decal |
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| David C's 1973 Schwinn Continental New Paint Chicago Decal |
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| David C's 1973 Schwinn Continental New Paint Down Tube Decals |
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| David C's 1973 Schwinn Continental New Paint Down Tube Decal - And the cat photo bombing again. |
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| David C's 1973 Schwinn Continental New Paint Decals - Complete |
The Continental is getting new cloth handlebar tape. Black of course to go with the brake lever covers and a perfect color to go with the copper tone paint. Installed the cloth tape looks fantastic!
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| David C's 1973 Schwinn Continental New Paint New Cloth Handlebar Tape |
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| David C's 1973 Schwinn Continental New Paint Installing Cloth Handlebar Tape |
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| David C's 1973 Schwinn Continental New Paint Installing Cloth Handlebar Tape |
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| David C's 1973 Schwinn Continental New Paint Cloth Handlebar Tape - Complete |
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| David C's 1973 Schwinn Continental New Paint Cloth Handlebar Tape Complete |
Next I installed a freewheel from a Schwinn Super Sport and wired the Continental. I think the Schwinn Super sport freewheel is a good choice to go with the build, it just makes sense.
The cable housing color is very close to the original Schwinn color. I think it really makes the new paint, much better then white or black. I am very happy with the results.
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| David C's 1973 Schwinn Continental New Paint New Cables & Housings |
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| David C's 1973 Schwinn Continental New Paint Schwinn Super Sport Freewheel & Pie Plate |
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| David C's 1973 Schwinn Continental New Paint Super Sport Freewheel -Installed |
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| David C's 1973 Schwinn Continental New Paint Brake Cables - Wired |
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| David C's 1973 Schwinn Continental New Paint Shift Cables Wired |
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| David C's 1973 Schwinn Continental New Paint Rear Brake Cable |
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| David C's 1973 Schwinn Continental New Paint Chain Installed |
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| David C's 1973 Schwinn Continental New Paint Bicycle Complete - Photo Bomber Again. |
I test road the Continental yesterday. It road fantastic! I did some tuning adjustments on the road. I then adjusted the wheel spoke tension in the shop and one slight adjustment on the freewheel. Today the weather has been to bad to test ride the Continental one more time. Hoping tomorrow.
Today I took photos of the Continental indoors. I really want to get some out door photos with good light if the weather will cooperate. The Continental turned out quit stunning! I love the copper tone powder coat! The white decals bring it all together. I really like the way the black cloth tape, black brake lever hoods and gum walls all accent the paint so well. I am very proud of the work that went into the new paint on the Continental and a few new things. I love it!!
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| David C's 1973 Schwinn Continental New Paint Bicycle Complete |
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| David C's 1973 Schwinn Continental New Paint Bicycle Complete |
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| David C's 1973 Schwinn Continental New Paint Bicycle Complete - Handlebars |
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| David C's 1973 Schwinn Continental New Paint Bicycle Complete - Stem |
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| David C's 1973 Schwinn Continental New Paint Bicycle Complete - Head Badge |
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| David C's 1973 Schwinn Continental New Paint Bicycle Complete - Head Badge |
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| David C's 1973 Schwinn Continental New Paint Bicycle Complete - Front Brake |
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| David C's 1973 Schwinn Continental New Paint Bicycle Complete - Front Wheel Hub |
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| David C's 1973 Schwinn Continental New Paint Bicycle Complete - Front Wheel Hub |
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| David C's 1973 Schwinn Continental New Paint Bicycle Complete - Front Wheel Rim |
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| David C's 1973 Schwinn Continental New Paint Bicycle Complete - Stem & Shift Levers |
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| David C's 1973 Schwinn Continental New Paint Bicycle Complete - Handlebars |
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| David C's 1973 Schwinn Continental New Paint Bicycle Complete - Head Tube |
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| David C's 1973 Schwinn Continental New Paint Bicycle Complete - Fork Crown |
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| David C's 1973 Schwinn Continental New Paint Bicycle Complete - Star Burst Decal |
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| David C's 1973 Schwinn Continental New Paint Bicycle Complete - Paint Up Close |
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| David C's 1973 Schwinn Continental New Paint Bicycle Complete - Down Tube Decal |
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| David C's 1973 Schwinn Continental New Paint Bicycle Complete - Saddle |
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| David C's 1973 Schwinn Continental New Paint Bicycle Complete - Chicago Decal |
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| David C's 1973 Schwinn Continental New Paint Bicycle Complete - Bottom Bracket |
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| David C's 1973 Schwinn Continental New Paint Bicycle Complete - Drive Train |
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| David C's 1973 Schwinn Continental New Paint Bicycle Complete - Crank |
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| David C's 1973 Schwinn Continental New Paint Bicycle Complete - Front Derailleur |
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| David C's 1973 Schwinn Continental New Paint Bicycle Complete - Rear Brake |
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| David C's 1973 Schwinn Continental New Paint Bicycle Complete - Rear Brake |
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| David C's 1973 Schwinn Continental New Paint Bicycle Complete - Chain Stays |
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| David C's 1973 Schwinn Continental New Paint Bicycle Complete - Rear Derailleur |
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| David C's 1973 Schwinn Continental New Paint Bicycle Complete - Rear Wheel Hub |
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| David C's 1973 Schwinn Continental New Paint Bicycle Complete - Rear Wheel Rim |
It's incredible how those hubs polished up! The paint really makes the bike pop! Beautiful job all around!
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