Friday, April 1, 2016

1981 Schwinn Super Le Tour Restoration Mean Looking Red & Black


1981 Schwinn Super Le Tour Restoration
After Restoration
This week I also started work on the restoration of this 1981 Schwinn Super Le Tour in mean looking red and black.  Everyone knows what I think of Le Tours, they are fantastic and very underrated bicycles.  The Super Le Tour is even nicer.  The Super Le Tour is lighter with alloy wheels and rims. I don't believe this Super Le Tour has its original rims, however it current wheels are even nicer!  The Super Le Tour has a chrome fork crown compared to a chrome fork crown cap on the regular Le Tour.  The Super Le Tour also has an upgrade in brake levers and brake calipers, however on the brake calipers I kind of like the center pull brakes over the side pull brakes on the Super Le Tour. The Super Le Tour also has an upgraded drive train.

This Super Le Tour is fantastic in the black and red paint scheme.  It doesn't get better then black with polished chrome and alloy!  The Super Le Tour has a cheap 1980's drive side crank replacement and the original non-drive side Super Maxey crank arm.  The replacement crank will be replaced with a very nice crank but that is not a Super Maxey.  One of the brake levers is broken off so the brake levers will be replaced with some super nice Shimano 600 levers, very cool to go with the Super Le Tour.

One thing that is ... well we will say is interesting is on the non-drive side of the frame someone a long time ago covered up the Schwinn decal with reflective letters that say Schwanz..... Those will be removed and I am hoping I can do it with out damaging the original decal underneath.  

Along with the replacement crank and brake elvers the Super Le Tour will receive a total restoration along with new cables and cable housings, new bottom bracket and headset bearings, new handlebar tape, new tires and tubes and a new saddle.

I can't wait to see the Super Le Tour finished and on the road.  It has been a while since I have restored a Super Le Tour and can't wait to see the results!

1981 Schwinn Super Le Tour Restoration - Bicycle Before

1981 Schwinn Super Le Tour Restoration - Bicycle Before
Handlebars

1981 Schwinn Super Le Tour Restoration - Bicycle Before
Handlebars

1981 Schwinn Super Le Tour Restoration - Bicycle Before
Broken Brake Lever

1981 Schwinn Super Le Tour Restoration - Bicycle Before
Stem

1981 Schwinn Super Le Tour Restoration - Bicycle Before
Head Tube

1981 Schwinn Super Le Tour Restoration - Bicycle Before
Head Badge

1981 Schwinn Super Le Tour Restoration - Bicycle Before
Front Brake Caliper

1981 Schwinn Super Le Tour Restoration - Bicycle Before
Front Wheel Hub

1981 Schwinn Super Le Tour Restoration - Bicycle Before
Front Wheel Rim

1981 Schwinn Super Le Tour Restoration - Bicycle Before
Stem

1981 Schwinn Super Le Tour Restoration - Bicycle Before
Head Tube

1981 Schwinn Super Le Tour Restoration - Bicycle Before
Front Wheel Hub

1981 Schwinn Super Le Tour Restoration - Bicycle Before
Top Tube

1981 Schwinn Super Le Tour Restoration - Bicycle Before
Shift Levers

1981 Schwinn Super Le Tour Restoration - Bicycle Before
Down Tube

1981 Schwinn Super Le Tour Restoration - Bicycle Before
Saddle

1981 Schwinn Super Le Tour Restoration - Bicycle Before
Chicago Decal

1981 Schwinn Super Le Tour Restoration - Bicycle Before
Bottom Bracket

1981 Schwinn Super Le Tour Restoration - Bicycle Before
Cheap 1980's Replacement Crank

1981 Schwinn Super Le Tour Restoration - Bicycle Before
Front Derailleur

1981 Schwinn Super Le Tour Restoration - Bicycle Before
Front Derailleur

1981 Schwinn Super Le Tour Restoration - Bicycle Before
Seat Lug

1981 Schwinn Super Le Tour Restoration - Bicycle Before
Rear Brake Caliper

1981 Schwinn Super Le Tour Restoration - Bicycle Before
Rear Derailleur

1981 Schwinn Super Le Tour Restoration - Bicycle Before
Rear Wheel Hub

1981 Schwinn Super Le Tour Restoration - Bicycle Before
Rear Wheel Rim

1981 Schwinn Super Le Tour Restoration - Bicycle Before
Strange Schwanz Decal

I stripped the Super Le Tour down and found the frame to be very dirty, crusty and dull but hardly a chips or scratch.  Some of the decals are in fantastic condition and some of the decals are very rough.  The red Schwinn Decals never held up.  Overall I think there is one pristine frame in there that I can't wait to see polished out!!  I love this stuff!!  I am already saying I love this stuff and the frame has not even been cleaned yet.....It is one nice frame under the crust!!!!

1981 Schwinn Super Le Tour Restoration - Frame Before

1981 Schwinn Super Le Tour Restoration - Frame Before
Head Tube

1981 Schwinn Super Le Tour Restoration - Frame Before
Head Tube

1981 Schwinn Super Le Tour Restoration - Frame Before
Head Tube

1981 Schwinn Super Le Tour Restoration - Frame Before
Head Tube Lug

1981 Schwinn Super Le Tour Restoration - Frame Before
Down Tube

1981 Schwinn Super Le Tour Restoration - Frame Before
Top Tube

1981 Schwinn Super Le Tour Restoration - Frame Before
Down Tube - Decal is in fantastic condition!!

1981 Schwinn Super Le Tour Restoration - Frame Before
Seat Lug

1981 Schwinn Super Le Tour Restoration - Frame Before
Chicago Decal - Fantastic condition!!

1981 Schwinn Super Le Tour Restoration - Frame Before
Seat Tube Decal - Typical Red Schwinn Decal

1981 Schwinn Super Le Tour Restoration - Frame Before
Seat Tube Decal

1981 Schwinn Super Le Tour Restoration - Frame Before
Bottom Bracket

1981 Schwinn Super Le Tour Restoration - Frame Before
Bottom Bracket

1981 Schwinn Super Le Tour Restoration - Frame Before
Bottom Bracket

1981 Schwinn Super Le Tour Restoration - Frame Before
Seat Lug

1981 Schwinn Super Le Tour Restoration - Frame Before
Chain Stays

1981 Schwinn Super Le Tour Restoration - Frame Before
Chain Stays

1981 Schwinn Super Le Tour Restoration - Frame Before
Drop Outs

1981 Schwinn Super Le Tour Restoration - Frame Before
Strange Schwanz Decal
Check back for more soon!

The frame polished amazingly, just amazing!  The Schwanz decal even removed and the original decal underneath was in good condition. (I am mad because I forgot to take a photo of the decal removed.)  The frame polished just beautiful!  The black paint has a very deep shine.  The paint chips are not to bad at all and the decals are amazing!  The top tube Super Le Tour decals did not survive along with the seat tube bands, but they where very bad.   I am extremely stoked about how the frame polished!

1981 Schwinn Super Le Tour Restoration - Frame Polished

1981 Schwinn Super Le Tour Restoration - Frame Polished
Head Tube

1981 Schwinn Super Le Tour Restoration - Frame Polished
Head Tube

1981 Schwinn Super Le Tour Restoration - Frame Polished
Head Tube

1981 Schwinn Super Le Tour Restoration - Frame Polished
Top Tube

1981 Schwinn Super Le Tour Restoration - Frame Polished
Sown Tube Decal - Amazing!

1981 Schwinn Super Le Tour Restoration - Frame Polished
Seat Lug

1981 Schwinn Super Le Tour Restoration - Frame Polished
Seat Tube

1981 Schwinn Super Le Tour Restoration - Frame Polished
Bottom Bracket

1981 Schwinn Super Le Tour Restoration - Frame Polished
Bottom Bracket

1981 Schwinn Super Le Tour Restoration - Frame Polished
Bottom Bracket

1981 Schwinn Super Le Tour Restoration - Frame Polished
Seat Lug

1981 Schwinn Super Le Tour Restoration - Frame Polished
Seat Stays

1981 Schwinn Super Le Tour Restoration - Frame Polished
Chain Stays

1981 Schwinn Super Le Tour Restoration - Frame Polished
Drop Outs

1981 Schwinn Super Le Tour Restoration - Frame Polished
Fork

1981 Schwinn Super Le Tour Restoration - Frame Polished
Fork Crown

1981 Schwinn Super Le Tour Restoration - Frame Polished
Fork Crown

1981 Schwinn Super Le Tour Restoration - Frame Polished
Fork Blade

1981 Schwinn Super Le Tour Restoration - Frame Polished
Fork Chrome
The function of the headset and bottom bracket where very rough, very gritty and frozen at times. I had to pry out the headset bearings.  The rest of the pieces to the headset and bottom bracket cleaned and polished beautifully!  I replaced all of the bearings and packed them in new grease, the bottom bracket and headset spin very nice now!

1981 Schwinn Super Le Tour Restoration - Headset & Bottom Bracket
Before

1981 Schwinn Super Le Tour Restoration - Bad Headset Bearings

1981 Schwinn Super Le Tour Restoration
Bearings Packed

1981 Schwinn Super Le Tour Restoration
Headset Complete

1981 Schwinn Super Le Tour Restoration
Headset Complete

1981 Schwinn Super Le Tour Restoration
Headset Complete

1981 Schwinn Super Le Tour Restoration
Bottom Bracket Complete

1981 Schwinn Super Le Tour Restoration
Bottom Bracket Complete

1981 Schwinn Super Le Tour Restoration
Headset & Bottom Bracket Complete

One of the front brake levers was broken off.  I replaced the brake levers with very nice Shimano 600 levers.  I think the Shomao 600's go very well on the Super Le Tour but then what do Shimano 600's not go well on? 

The handlebars and stem cleaned very nice and after working through the polishing wheels they look fantastic!  It is so hard to beat polished chrome and alloy and polished black paint!


1981 Schwinn Super Le Tour Restoration
Handlebars Before

1981 Schwinn Super Le Tour Restoration
Stem & Handlebars Before

1981 Schwinn Super Le Tour Restoration
Handlebars Before

1981 Schwinn Super Le Tour Restoration
Stem Before

1981 Schwinn Super Le Tour Restoration
Stem Exploded

1981 Schwinn Super Le Tour Restoration
Stem Exploded

1981 Schwinn Super Le Tour Restoration
Broken & Replacement Levers

1981 Schwinn Super Le Tour Restoration
Replacement Shimano 600 Brake Levers

1981 Schwinn Super Le Tour Restoration
Stem & Handlebars Polished

1981 Schwinn Super Le Tour Restoration
Handlebars Polished

1981 Schwinn Super Le Tour Restoration
Stem Polished

1981 Schwinn Super Le Tour Restoration
Stem Complete

1981 Schwinn Super Le Tour Restoration
Stem & Handlebars - Installed

1981 Schwinn Super Le Tour Restoration
Stem & Handlebars Installed

1981 Schwinn Super Le Tour Restoration
Stem Installed

1981 Schwinn Super Le Tour Restoration
Stem & Handlebars Installed

1981 Schwinn Super Le Tour Restoration
Brake Levers Polished

1981 Schwinn Super Le Tour Restoration
Brake Levers Installed

1981 Schwinn Super Le Tour Restoration
Brake Levers Installed

Next was the seat post.  The seat post polished very nice.  The seat post shim was rusty like all of them.  After cleaning and polishing the shim looks fine.  Overall I like the seat post installed.

1981 Schwinn Super Le Tour Restoration
Seat Post Before

1981 Schwinn Super Le Tour Restoration
Seat Post Shim Before

1981 Schwinn Super Le Tour Restoration
Seat Post Exploded

1981 Schwinn Super Le Tour Restoration
Seat Post Polished

1981 Schwinn Super Le Tour Restoration
Seat Post Installed

1981 Schwinn Super Le Tour Restoration
Seat Post Installed
The brake calipers are nice calipers.  Weinmann 605's, I don't see them often.  After cleaning all the pieces I worked through the polishing wheels.  The brake calipers polished very nice and installed the look incredible against the polished black paint.  I love this stuff!

1981 Schwinn Super Le Tour Restoration
Brake Calipers Before

1981 Schwinn Super Le Tour Restoration
Brake Calipers Exploded

1981 Schwinn Super Le Tour Restoration
Brake Calipers Polished

1981 Schwinn Super Le Tour Restoration
Brake Calipers Complete

1981 Schwinn Super Le Tour Restoration
Front Brake Caliper Installed

1981 Schwinn Super Le Tour Restoration
Rear Brake Caliper Installed
The Super Le Tour is suppose to have a Super Maxy crank, it has one arm of a Super Maxy crank and a bad 1980's replacement crank.  I replaced the crank with an unknown crank but yet a very nice crank.  I cleaned all the pieces and then lightly polished the crank as it had a textured finish.  Overall I am very happy with the results and I think it is a good choice for the Super Le Tour.


1981 Schwinn Super Le Tour Restoration
Old Replacement Crank

1981 Schwinn Super Le Tour Restoration
New Replacement Crank

1981 Schwinn Super Le Tour Restoration
Crank Exploded

1981 Schwinn Super Le Tour Restoration
Crank Polished

1981 Schwinn Super Le Tour Restoration
Crank Complete

1981 Schwinn Super Le Tour Restoration
Crank Installed

1981 Schwinn Super Le Tour Restoration
Crank Installed
The shift levers are nice levers.  They look good and are pretty much bullet proof.  I cleaned all the pieces, worked through the polishing wheels and lubricated all the pivot points.  The shift levers look great installed!

1981 Schwinn Super Le Tour Restoration
Shift Levers Before

1981 Schwinn Super Le Tour Restoration
Shift Levers Before

1981 Schwinn Super Le Tour Restoration
Shift Levers Exploded

1981 Schwinn Super Le Tour Restoration
Shift Levers Polished

1981 Schwinn Super Le Tour Restoration
Shift Levers Complete

1981 Schwinn Super Le Tour Restoration
Shift Levers Complete

1981 Schwinn Super Le Tour Restoration
Shift Levers Installed

The derailleurs are very nice derailleurs, they restore beautifully, have a lot of alloy and function very nice.  They are also pretty much bullet proof in function too.  I broke down the derailleurs and cleaned all the pieces.  I worked through a few aggressive polishing wheels and then the fine wheels and the derailleurs turned out beautiful.  The Super Le Tour is really coming together!

1981 Schwinn Super Le Tour Restoration
Derailleurs Before

1981 Schwinn Super Le Tour Restoration
Front Derailleur Exploded

1981 Schwinn Super Le Tour Restoration
Front Derailleur Polished

1981 Schwinn Super Le Tour Restoration
Front Derailleur Complete

1981 Schwinn Super Le Tour Restoration
Front Derailleur Installed

1981 Schwinn Super Le Tour Restoration
Rear Derailleur Before

1981 Schwinn Super Le Tour Restoration
Rear Derailleur Before

1981 Schwinn Super Le Tour Restoration
Rear Derailleur Before

1981 Schwinn Super Le Tour Restoration
Rear Derailleur Exploded

1981 Schwinn Super Le Tour Restoration
Rear Derailleur Polished

1981 Schwinn Super Le Tour Restoration
Rear Derailleur Complete

1981 Schwinn Super Le Tour Restoration
Rear Derailleur Installed

1981 Schwinn Super Le Tour Restoration
Derailleurs Complete

The wheels perplex me.  The rims are in incredible condition, almost perfect but the wheel hubs are rough.  I broke down the hubs, cleaned out the old grease and grim and polished out the hubs.  The hubs polished very nice.  With the bearings packed in new grease the hubs spin perfect.  With just a little cleaning and polishing the wheel rims are perfect.  New tires and tubes and the wheels are ready to roll!

1981 Schwinn Super Le Tour Restoration
Front Wheel Before

1981 Schwinn Super Le Tour Restoration
Front Wheel Hub Before

1981 Schwinn Super Le Tour Restoration
Front Wheel Rim Before

1981 Schwinn Super Le Tour Restoration
Front Wheel Hub Old Grease

1981 Schwinn Super Le Tour Restoration
Front Wheel Hub Polished

1981 Schwinn Super Le Tour Restoration
Front Wheel Rim Polished

1981 Schwinn Super Le Tour Restoration
Axle Pieces Ready

1981 Schwinn Super Le Tour Restoration
New Tires

1981 Schwinn Super Le Tour Restoration
Front Wheel Hub Complete

1981 Schwinn Super Le Tour Restoration
Rear Wheel Before

1981 Schwinn Super Le Tour Restoration
Rear Wheel Hub Before

1981 Schwinn Super Le Tour Restoration
Rear Wheel Rim Before

1981 Schwinn Super Le Tour Restoration
Rear Wheel Hub Before

1981 Schwinn Super Le Tour Restoration
Rear Wheel Hub Old Grease

1981 Schwinn Super Le Tour Restoration
Rear Wheel Hub Polished

1981 Schwinn Super Le Tour Restoration
Rear Wheel Bearings Packed

1981 Schwinn Super Le Tour Restoration
Rear Wheel Complete

1981 Schwinn Super Le Tour Restoration
Wheels Complete

The Super Le Tour needed a new chain.  I love seeing an perfectly clean chain and freewheel!


1981 Schwinn Super Le Tour Restoration
New Chain

1981 Schwinn Super Le Tour Restoration
New Chain Installed

1981 Schwinn Super Le Tour Restoration
Chain Installed

On to the last steps in the Super Le Tour restoration.  Th only choice for cable housing color is the original red.  Black, chrome and a little red, the perfect color combo!  

1981 Schwinn Super Le Tour Restoration
New Cables & Housings

1981 Schwinn Super Le Tour Restoration
Brakes Wired

1981 Schwinn Super Le Tour Restoration
Rear Brake Wired

1981 Schwinn Super Le Tour Restoration
Derailleur Wired

1981 Schwinn Super Le Tour Restoration
Bike Wired

New black handlebar tape and a saddle.  Black handlebar tape I think is the only way to go for the Super Le Tour.

1981 Schwinn Super Le Tour Restoration
New Saddle & Handlebar Tape

1981 Schwinn Super Le Tour Restoration
Saddle Installed

1981 Schwinn Super Le Tour Restoration
Handlebar Tape Complete

The pedals where way to rough.  I did what i could, they spin great.  The owner will probably replace them.

1981 Schwinn Super Le Tour Restoration
Pedals Before

1981 Schwinn Super Le Tour Restoration
Pedals After

1981 Schwinn Super Le Tour Restoration
Bicycle Complete

I didn't think the Super Le Tour felt like it was tuned well on the stand.  I got it out on the road for some road tuning.  It surprised the heck out of me and was perfect on the road!  It really is a great riding bike!  Somewhat more nimble then the regular Le Tour.  The shifting is spot on and feels very tight.  I really like riding this bike!   If it was only about 4-5 cm larger!

I think the looks are the best!  Black, chrome and red are my favorite combination!  The black paint has a very deep liquid shine!  The chrome looks fantastic all around and the alloy is like a mirror.  I really love this stuff and love this bike!

1981 Schwinn Super Le Tour Restoration - Bicycle Complete

1981 Schwinn Super Le Tour Restoration - Bicycle Complete

1981 Schwinn Super Le Tour Restoration - Bicycle Complete

1981 Schwinn Super Le Tour Restoration - Bicycle Complete
Handlebars

1981 Schwinn Super Le Tour Restoration - Bicycle Complete
Stem

1981 Schwinn Super Le Tour Restoration - Bicycle Complete
Head Tube

1981 Schwinn Super Le Tour Restoration - Bicycle Complete
Front Brake Lever

1981 Schwinn Super Le Tour Restoration - Bicycle Complete
Front Wheel Hub

1981 Schwinn Super Le Tour Restoration - Bicycle Complete
Front Wheel Rim

1981 Schwinn Super Le Tour Restoration - Bicycle Complete
Handlebars

1981 Schwinn Super Le Tour Restoration - Bicycle Complete
Stem

1981 Schwinn Super Le Tour Restoration - Bicycle Complete
Head Tube

1981 Schwinn Super Le Tour Restoration - Bicycle Complete
Front Wheel Hub

1981 Schwinn Super Le Tour Restoration - Bicycle Complete
Shift Levers

1981 Schwinn Super Le Tour Restoration - Bicycle Complete
Perfect Schwinn Decal!

1981 Schwinn Super Le Tour Restoration - Bicycle Complete
Saddle

1981 Schwinn Super Le Tour Restoration - Bicycle Complete
Chicago Decal

1981 Schwinn Super Le Tour Restoration - Bicycle Complete
Drive Train

1981 Schwinn Super Le Tour Restoration - Bicycle Complete
Crank

1981 Schwinn Super Le Tour Restoration - Bicycle Complete
Front Derailleur

1981 Schwinn Super Le Tour Restoration - Bicycle Complete
Rear Derailleur

1981 Schwinn Super Le Tour Restoration - Bicycle Complete
Rear Brake

1981 Schwinn Super Le Tour Restoration - Bicycle Complete
Rear Wheel Hub

1981 Schwinn Super Le Tour Restoration - Bicycle Complete
Rear Wheel Rim

1981 Schwinn Super Le Tour Restoration - Bicycle Complete

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





4 comments:

  1. Nice work... I just inhereited a 35yo all original 1981 Super le Tour in Summercloud White 100% original down to the tires, saddle, and brake pads... Nothing is broken on the bike other than it needs a new saddle, tires and a WHOLE lot of polishing! I was curious what you used to polish? Including tools? I plan on doing this task over the summer.

    Thanks

    ReplyDelete
  2. Awesome bike. I'm currently doing the same one.Mine was rough but all original when it was rescued. I'll send you a before and after when its finished.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Love this bike and what you did...Hopefully im picking up one tomorrow.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Have a friend restoring one. Can you tell me a place to get the decal?

    ReplyDelete