Friday, October 16, 2015

David C's 1973 Schwinn Continental - New Paint and Rework!

David C's 1973 Schwinn Continental New Paint
Bicycle Complete - After Restoration
My friend David who is the owner of this Opaque Blue 1973 Schwinn Continental brought the bike in for a new paint job and some changes.  You can see the original restoration of the Schwinn Continental by clicking here.

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.

 David C's 1973 Schwinn Continental New Paint - Bicycle Before

David C's 1973 Schwinn Continental New Paint - Bicycle Before
Handlebars

David C's 1973 Schwinn Continental New Paint - Bicycle Before
Front

David C's 1973 Schwinn Continental New Paint - Bicycle Before
Stem & Shift Levers

David C's 1973 Schwinn Continental New Paint - Bicycle Before
Head Tube

David C's 1973 Schwinn Continental New Paint - Bicycle Before
Fork

David C's 1973 Schwinn Continental New Paint - Bicycle Before
Seat Post

David C's 1973 Schwinn Continental New Paint - Bicycle Before
Crank

David C's 1973 Schwinn Continental New Paint - Bicycle Before
Front Derailleur

David C's 1973 Schwinn Continental New Paint - Bicycle Before
Rear Brake

David C's 1973 Schwinn Continental New Paint - Bicycle Before
Rear Derailleur

I stripped the components from the frame.

David C's 1973 Schwinn Continental New Paint - Frame Before

David C's 1973 Schwinn Continental New Paint - Frame Before
Head Tube

David C's 1973 Schwinn Continental New Paint - Frame Before
Head Tube

David C's 1973 Schwinn Continental New Paint - Frame Before
Head Tube

David C's 1973 Schwinn Continental New Paint - Frame Before
Down Tube

David C's 1973 Schwinn Continental New Paint - Frame Before
Seat Lug Area

David C's 1973 Schwinn Continental New Paint - Frame Before
Seat Tube

David C's 1973 Schwinn Continental New Paint - Frame Before
Bottom Bracket

David C's 1973 Schwinn Continental New Paint - Frame Before
Bottom Bracket

David C's 1973 Schwinn Continental New Paint - Frame Before
Bottom Bracket

David C's 1973 Schwinn Continental New Paint - Frame Before
Seat Lug

David C's 1973 Schwinn Continental New Paint - Frame Before
Seat Stays

David C's 1973 Schwinn Continental New Paint - Frame Before
Chain Stays

David C's 1973 Schwinn Continental New Paint - Frame Before
Fork

David C's 1973 Schwinn Continental New Paint - Frame Before
Fork Crown

David C's 1973 Schwinn Continental New Paint - Frame Before
Fork Blades

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.
  
David C's 1973 Schwinn Continental New Paint
Paint Stripping Almost 
Complete

David C's 1973 Schwinn Continental New Paint
Paint Stripping Almost Complete

David C's 1973 Schwinn Continental New Paint
Paint Stripping Almost 
Complete

David C's 1973 Schwinn Continental New Paint
Paint Stripping Almost Complete

David C's 1973 Schwinn Continental New Paint
Paint Stripping Almost Complete

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!!

David C's 1973 Schwinn Continental New Paint
Paint Complete - Beautiful!!

David C's 1973 Schwinn Continental New PaintPaint Complete - Head Tube

David C's 1973 Schwinn Continental New PaintPaint Complete - Head Tube

David C's 1973 Schwinn Continental New PaintPaint Complete - Head Tube
David C's 1973 Schwinn Continental New PaintPaint Complete - Seat Area

David C's 1973 Schwinn Continental New PaintPaint Complete - Bottom Bracket

David C's 1973 Schwinn Continental New PaintPaint Complete - Seat Stays

David C's 1973 Schwinn Continental New PaintPaint Complete - Seat Stays

David C's 1973 Schwinn Continental New PaintPaint Complete - Drop Outs

David C's 1973 Schwinn Continental New PaintPaint Complete 

David C's 1973 Schwinn Continental New Paint
Paint Complete

And here is the photo that makes it all.  The head Bade installed!

David C's 1973 Schwinn Continental New Paint
Head Badge - Installed
David C's 1973 Schwinn Continental New Paint
Paint Complete - Fork

David C's 1973 Schwinn Continental New Paint
Paint Complete - Fork

David C's 1973 Schwinn Continental New Paint
Paint Complete - Fork

David C's 1973 Schwinn Continental New Paint
Paint Complete - Fork Crown

David C's 1973 Schwinn Continental New Paint
Paint Complete - Fork Drop Outs

Now I had to install the chrome fork crown cover.  Amazing!!

David C's 1973 Schwinn Continental New Paint
Fork Crown Cap - Installed

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.


David C's 1973 Schwinn Continental New Paint
Headset & Bottom Bracket - Cleaned

David C's 1973 Schwinn Continental New Paint
Shift Levers - Cleaned

David C's 1973 Schwinn Continental New Paint
Pressing Headset Cups

David C's 1973 Schwinn Continental New Paint
Headset - Complete

David C's 1973 Schwinn Continental New Paint
Headset Complete

David C's 1973 Schwinn Continental New Paint
Bottom Bracket - Complete

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.

David C's 1973 Schwinn Continental New Paint
Front Brake Caliper - Installed

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!!

David C's 1973 Schwinn Continental New Paint
Rear Derailleur - installed

David C's 1973 Schwinn Continental New Paint
Front Derailleur - Installed

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!!


David C's 1973 Schwinn Continental New Paint
Front Wheel Schwinn Wheel - Before

David C's 1973 Schwinn Continental New Paint
Front Wheel Hub - Before

David C's 1973 Schwinn Continental New Paint
Front Wheel Rim - Before

David C's 1973 Schwinn Continental New Paint
Front Wheel Hub - Old Grease

David C's 1973 Schwinn Continental New Paint\
Rear Wheel - Before

David C's 1973 Schwinn Continental New Paint
Rear Wheel Hub - Before

David C's 1973 Schwinn Continental New Paint
Rear Wheel Hub - Before

David C's 1973 Schwinn Continental New Paint
Rear Wheel Rim - Before

David C's 1973 Schwinn Continental New Paint
Rear Wheel Hub - Old Grease

David C's 1973 Schwinn Continental New Paint
Wheel Hubs - Before

David C's 1973 Schwinn Continental New Paint
Wheel Hubs - Before

David C's 1973 Schwinn Continental New Paint
Wheel Hubs - Polished

David C's 1973 Schwinn Continental New Paint
Wheel Hubs -Polished

David C's 1973 Schwinn Continental New Paint
Wheel Hubs - Polished

David C's 1973 Schwinn Continental New Paint
Rear Wheel - Laced

David C's 1973 Schwinn Continental New Paint
Front Wheel Rim - Laced

David C's 1973 Schwinn Continental New Paint
Wheel - Laced

David C's 1973 Schwinn Continental New Paint
Front Wheel - Laced

David C's 1973 Schwinn Continental New Paint
Front Wheel - Laced

David C's 1973 Schwinn Continental New Paint
Front Wheel Rim - Laced

David C's 1973 Schwinn Continental New Paint
New Rear Wheel Bearings - Packed

David C's 1973 Schwinn Continental New Paint
Axle Pieces - Ready

David C's 1973 Schwinn Continental New Paint
Rear Wheel - Complete

David C's 1973 Schwinn Continental New Paint
New Front Wheel Bearings - Packed

David C's 1973 Schwinn Continental New Paint
Front Wheel - Complete

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.

David C's 1973 Schwinn Continental New Paint
New Decals

David C's 1973 Schwinn Continental New Paint
Fork Star Burst Decals

David C's 1973 Schwinn Continental New Paint
Fork Star Burst Decal

David C's 1973 Schwinn Continental New Paint
Chicago Decal

David C's 1973 Schwinn Continental New Paint
Down Tube Decals

David C's 1973 Schwinn Continental New Paint
Down Tube Decal - And the cat photo bombing again.

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!

David C's 1973 Schwinn Continental New Paint
New Cloth Handlebar Tape

David C's 1973 Schwinn Continental New Paint
Installing Cloth Handlebar Tape

David C's 1973 Schwinn Continental New Paint
Installing Cloth Handlebar Tape

David C's 1973 Schwinn Continental New Paint
Cloth Handlebar Tape - Complete

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.

David C's 1973 Schwinn Continental New Paint
New Cables & Housings

David C's 1973 Schwinn Continental New Paint
Schwinn Super Sport Freewheel & Pie Plate

David C's 1973 Schwinn Continental New Paint
Super Sport Freewheel -Installed

David C's 1973 Schwinn Continental New Paint
Brake Cables - Wired

David C's 1973 Schwinn Continental New Paint
Shift Cables Wired

David C's 1973 Schwinn Continental New Paint
Rear Brake Cable

David C's 1973 Schwinn Continental New Paint
Chain Installed
 That completes the Continental.  I am very proud of the results.

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!!

David C's 1973 Schwinn Continental New Paint
Bicycle Complete

David C's 1973 Schwinn Continental New Paint
Bicycle Complete

David C's 1973 Schwinn Continental New Paint
Bicycle Complete - Handlebars

David C's 1973 Schwinn Continental New Paint
Bicycle Complete - Stem

David C's 1973 Schwinn Continental New Paint
Bicycle Complete - Head Badge

David C's 1973 Schwinn Continental New Paint
Bicycle Complete - Head Badge

David C's 1973 Schwinn Continental New Paint
Bicycle Complete - Front Brake

David C's 1973 Schwinn Continental New Paint
Bicycle Complete - Front Wheel Hub

David C's 1973 Schwinn Continental New Paint
Bicycle Complete - Front Wheel Hub

David C's 1973 Schwinn Continental New Paint
Bicycle Complete - Front Wheel Rim

David C's 1973 Schwinn Continental New Paint
Bicycle Complete - Stem & Shift Levers

David C's 1973 Schwinn Continental New Paint
Bicycle Complete - Handlebars

David C's 1973 Schwinn Continental New Paint
Bicycle Complete - Head Tube

David C's 1973 Schwinn Continental New Paint
Bicycle Complete - Fork Crown

David C's 1973 Schwinn Continental New Paint
Bicycle Complete - Star Burst Decal

David C's 1973 Schwinn Continental New Paint
Bicycle Complete - Paint Up Close

David C's 1973 Schwinn Continental New Paint
Bicycle Complete - Down Tube Decal

David C's 1973 Schwinn Continental New Paint
Bicycle Complete - Saddle

David C's 1973 Schwinn Continental New Paint
Bicycle Complete - Chicago Decal

David C's 1973 Schwinn Continental New Paint
Bicycle Complete - Bottom Bracket

David C's 1973 Schwinn Continental New Paint
Bicycle Complete - Drive Train

David C's 1973 Schwinn Continental New Paint
Bicycle Complete - Crank

David C's 1973 Schwinn Continental New Paint
Bicycle Complete - Front Derailleur

David C's 1973 Schwinn Continental New Paint
Bicycle Complete - Rear Brake

David C's 1973 Schwinn Continental New Paint
Bicycle Complete - Rear Brake

David C's 1973 Schwinn Continental New Paint
Bicycle Complete - Chain Stays

David C's 1973 Schwinn Continental New Paint
Bicycle Complete - Rear Derailleur

David C's 1973 Schwinn Continental New Paint
Bicycle Complete - Rear Wheel Hub

David C's 1973 Schwinn Continental New Paint
Bicycle Complete - Rear Wheel Rim
Hoping for some outdoor photos soon!

1 comment:

  1. It's incredible how those hubs polished up! The paint really makes the bike pop! Beautiful job all around!

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