Wednesday, September 26, 2018

Bill's Schwinn Varsity Restoration - Original Owner! Great Color!

This is Bill's Schwinn Varsity.  Bill is the original owner which makes it even cooler.  I have a very soft spot for Schwinn Varsity's.  My first "rear" bike was a hand me down red Schwinn Varsity from my aunt.  It was a male frame that was probably the smallest they made.  I was probably 9 or 10 years old.  The Varsity fit me perfect!!  I remember how fast it was compared to my bmx bike.  I road that bike for two or three years before I got another bike.  I loved that bike!! Just loved it!!  So many miles on it!  I don't think for the whole time I had the Varsity i ever took it out of the highest gear!

Bill's Varsity definitely has some pretty rough areas.  I don't think the ares are to rough to bring back.  The Varsity will receive a total restoration along with new cables, cable housings, bearings, tires, tubes and original handlebar tapes. 

I can't wait to see the Varsity complete and to test ride it! And to be brought back to my red Schwinn Varsity.
 

Bill's Schwinn Varsity Restoration - Bicycle Before

Bill's Schwinn Varsity Restoration - Bicycle Before
Handlebars

Bill's Schwinn Varsity Restoration - Bicycle Before
Generator Light

Bill's Schwinn Varsity Restoration - Bicycle Before
Front Wheel Hub

Bill's Schwinn Varsity Restoration - Bicycle Before
Stem

Bill's Schwinn Varsity Restoration - Bicycle Before
Head Tube

Bill's Schwinn Varsity Restoration - Bicycle Before
Fork Crown

Bill's Schwinn Varsity Restoration - Bicycle Before

Bill's Schwinn Varsity Restoration - Bicycle Before
Seat

Bill's Schwinn Varsity Restoration - Bicycle Before
Seat Tube

Bill's Schwinn Varsity Restoration - Bicycle Before
Bottom Bracket

Bill's Schwinn Varsity Restoration - Bicycle Before
Crank

Bill's Schwinn Varsity Restoration - Bicycle Before
Pedal

Bill's Schwinn Varsity Restoration - Bicycle Before
Rear Brake Caliper

Bill's Schwinn Varsity Restoration - Bicycle Before
Rear Derailleur

Bill's Schwinn Varsity Restoration - Bicycle Before
Rear Wheel Hub

Bill's Schwinn Varsity Restoration - Bicycle Before
Rear Wheel Rim
With the Varsity broken down the frame looks rough but it really doesn't have many chips or scratches.  The decals also seem to be in good shape.

Bill's Schwinn Varsity Restoration - Frame Before

Bill's Schwinn Varsity Restoration - Frame Before
Head Tube

Bill's Schwinn Varsity Restoration - Frame Before

Bill's Schwinn Varsity Restoration - Frame Before
Seat Lug

Bill's Schwinn Varsity Restoration - Frame Before
Seat Tube

Bill's Schwinn Varsity Restoration - Frame Before
Chicago Decal

Bill's Schwinn Varsity Restoration - Frame Before
Bottom Bracket

Bill's Schwinn Varsity Restoration - Frame Before
Bottom Bracket

Bill's Schwinn Varsity Restoration - Frame Before
Bottom Bracket

Bill's Schwinn Varsity Restoration - Frame Before
Seat Stays

Bill's Schwinn Varsity Restoration - Frame Before
Seat Stays

Bill's Schwinn Varsity Restoration - Frame Before
Seat Stays

Bill's Schwinn Varsity Restoration - Frame Before
Drop Out

Bill's Schwinn Varsity Restoration - Frame Before
Chain Stay

Bill's Schwinn Varsity Restoration - Frame Before
Fork

Bill's Schwinn Varsity Restoration - Frame Before
Fork Crown

Bill's Schwinn Varsity Restoration - Frame Before
Fork Crown

Bill's Schwinn Varsity Restoration - Frame Before
Fork Blades

Bill's Schwinn Varsity Restoration - Frame Before
Fork Drop Outs

Bill's Schwinn Varsity Restoration - Frame Before
Fork Blades

Bill's Schwinn Varsity Restoration - Frame Before
Crown Cover Removed


I gave the frame a good deep cleaning and then worked through the polishing grits being very careful around the decals.  The frame polished just beautifully!  I could be happier with the results!  I love this stuff!


Bill's Schwinn Varsity Restoration - Frame Polished

Bill's Schwinn Varsity Restoration - Frame Polished
Head Tube

Bill's Schwinn Varsity Restoration - Frame Polished
Head Tube

Bill's Schwinn Varsity Restoration - Frame Polished
Head Tube

Bill's Schwinn Varsity Restoration - Frame Polished

Bill's Schwinn Varsity Restoration - Frame Polished
Down Tube

Bill's Schwinn Varsity Restoration - Frame Polished
Top Tube

Bill's Schwinn Varsity Restoration - Frame Polished
Seat Tube

Bill's Schwinn Varsity Restoration - Frame Polished
Bottom Bracket

Bill's Schwinn Varsity Restoration - Frame Polished
Bottom Bracket

Bill's Schwinn Varsity Restoration - Frame Polished
Bottom Bracket

Bill's Schwinn Varsity Restoration - Frame Polished
Seat Stays

Bill's Schwinn Varsity Restoration - Frame Polished
Seat Stays

Bill's Schwinn Varsity Restoration - Frame Polished
Fork

Bill's Schwinn Varsity Restoration - Frame Polished
Fork Crown

Bill's Schwinn Varsity Restoration - Frame Polished
Fork Blade

Bill's Schwinn Varsity Restoration - Frame Polished
Fork Blades

Bill's Schwinn Varsity Restoration - Frame Polished
Fork Blades

Bill's Schwinn Varsity Restoration
Fork Crown Cover Before

The headset is a little rough but the bearing races are good.  I put the pieces through the crock pot and then spent sometime on the polishing wheels.  The headset surprised me how nice it turned out!!  Fantastic!


Bill's Schwinn Varsity Restoration - Headset Before

Bill's Schwinn Varsity Restoration - Shift Levers
Before

Bill's Schwinn Varsity Restoration - Shift Levers
Before

Bill's Schwinn Varsity Restoration - Headset Polished

Bill's Schwinn Varsity Restoration - Shift Levers
Complete

Bill's Schwinn Varsity Restoration - Shift Levers
Complete

Bill's Schwinn Varsity Restoration - Pressing Headset Cups

Bill's Schwinn Varsity Restoration - Headset Cups
Pressed

Bill's Schwinn Varsity Restoration - Headset Bearings
Packed

Bill's Schwinn Varsity Restoration - Headset Complete

Bill's Schwinn Varsity Restoration - Headset Complete

Bill's Schwinn Varsity Restoration - Headset Complete

The handlebars and stem has some rough areas but overall not bad.  I worked through he cleaning and polishing.  The handlebars and stem turned out fantastic!

Bill's Schwinn Varsity Restoration - Cockpit Before

Bill's Schwinn Varsity Restoration - Stem & Handlebars Before

Bill's Schwinn Varsity Restoration - Handlebars Before

Bill's Schwinn Varsity Restoration - Stem Before

Bill's Schwinn Varsity Restoration - Stem Before

Bill's Schwinn Varsity Restoration - Handlebars Polished

Bill's Schwinn Varsity Restoration - Handlebars Polished

Bill's Schwinn Varsity Restoration - Stem Polished

Bill's Schwinn Varsity Restoration - Stem Polished

Bill's Schwinn Varsity Restoration - Stem Complete

Bill's Schwinn Varsity Restoration - Stem & Handlebars
Complete

Bill's Schwinn Varsity Restoration - Stem & Handlebars
Complete

Bill's Schwinn Varsity Restoration - Stem & Handlebars Complete

While other part where soaking I worked through the wheels.  I was nervous about the wheels.  The rims looked really rough and the hubs looked very bad.  The hubs and rims cleaned nicely and with a good deal of polishing work the wheels look fantastic!!  New bearings and grease and the wheels spin perfect.  I am stunned at how nice the wheels turned out and how great they look installed to the frame!! I am super happy with the wheels!

Bill's Schwinn Varsity Restoration - Rear Wheel
Before

Bill's Schwinn Varsity Restoration - Rear Wheel Hub Before

Bill's Schwinn Varsity Restoration - Rear Wheel Hub Before

Bill's Schwinn Varsity Restoration - Rear Wheel Rim Before

Bill's Schwinn Varsity Restoration - Rear Wheel Hub Old Grease

Bill's Schwinn Varsity Restoration - Rear Wheel Hub Polished

Bill's Schwinn Varsity Restoration - Rear Wheel Hub Polished

Bill's Schwinn Varsity Restoration - Rear Wheel Rim Polished

Bill's Schwinn Varsity Restoration - Rear Wheel Bearings
Packed

Bill's Schwinn Varsity Restoration - Wheel Axles Ready

Bill's Schwinn Varsity Restoration - Front Wheel Before

Bill's Schwinn Varsity Restoration - Front Wheel Hub Before

Bill's Schwinn Varsity Restoration - Front Wheel Hub Before

Bill's Schwinn Varsity Restoration - Front Wheel Rim
Before

Bill's Schwinn Varsity Restoration - Front Wheel Hub
Old Grease

Bill's Schwinn Varsity Restoration - Front Wheel Hub
Polished

Bill's Schwinn Varsity Restoration - Front Wheel Hub
Polished

Bill's Schwinn Varsity Restoration - Front Wheel Rim
Polished

Bill's Schwinn Varsity Restoration - Front Wheel
Bearings Packed

Bill's Schwinn Varsity Restoration - Front Wheel Complete

Bill's Schwinn Varsity Restoration - Front Wheel Complete

Bill's Schwinn Varsity Restoration - Front Wheel
Complete

Bill's Schwinn Varsity Restoration - Rear Wheel Complete

Bill's Schwinn Varsity Restoration - Rear Wheel Complete

Bill's Schwinn Varsity Restoration - Wheels Complete
The very first bicycle components I restored many many many years ago where the brake calipers on my Schwinn Varsity.  That was near 32 years ago!  I may have gotten better at it over the years.  They did not turn out as nice as these calipers!  New brake pads will have the Varsity stopping much better. 

Bill's Schwinn Varsity Restoration - Brake Calipers Before

  
Bill's Schwinn Varsity Restoration - Brake Calipers
Polished

Bill's Schwinn Varsity Restoration - Brake Calipers
Complete

Bill's Schwinn Varsity Restoration - Front Caliper
Installed

Bill's Schwinn Varsity Restoration - Rear BRake
Caliper Installed

Bill's Schwinn Varsity Restoration - Brake Calipers Installed

The crank is a little rough to start with.  I soaked the parts for quite a while and then worked through the polishing wheels.  The crank turned out amazing and it looks perfect installed!

Bill's Schwinn Varsity Restoration - Crank Before

Bill's Schwinn Varsity Restoration - Bottom Bracket
Before

Bill's Schwinn Varsity Restoration - Crank Exploded

Bill's Schwinn Varsity Restoration - Crank Polished

Bill's Schwinn Varsity Restoration - Crank Complete

Bill's Schwinn Varsity Restoration - Bottom Bracket
Polished

Bill's Schwinn Varsity Restoration - Pressing Bottom Brackets
Cups

Bill's Schwinn Varsity Restoration - Bottom Bracket Cups
Pressed

Bill's Schwinn Varsity Restoration - Crank Complete

Bill's Schwinn Varsity Restoration - Crank
Complete

Bill's Schwinn Varsity Restoration - Crank Complete
The brake levers where very dull but they still pivot nicely.  I cleaned, polished and lubricated the brake levers.  The levers turned out fantastic considering where they started.  I love this stuff!

Bill's Schwinn Varsity Restoration - Brake Levers Before

Bill's Schwinn Varsity Restoration - Brake Levers Before

Bill's Schwinn Varsity Restoration - Brake Levers Polished

Bill's Schwinn Varsity Restoration - Brake Levers Installed

Bill's Schwinn Varsity Restoration - Brake Levers Complete
The seat is in descent shape, I treated it and it looks great.  The seat post and binder polished beautifully!  Installed they look great.  I am always amazed at how well the Varsity seats hold up.


Bill's Schwinn Varsity Restoration - Seat Post & Seat Before

Bill's Schwinn Varsity Restoration - Seat Post Before

Bill's Schwinn Varsity Restoration - Seat Coupler Before

Bill's Schwinn Varsity Restoration - Seat Binder Bolt
Before

Bill's Schwinn Varsity Restoration - Seat Binder Polished

Bill's Schwinn Varsity Restoration - Seat Post
Polished

Bill's Schwinn Varsity Restoration - Seat Post Complete

Bill's Schwinn Varsity Restoration - Seat Post Complete
The derailleurs are in rough shape, I was a little worried how they would turn out.  I broke them down, put them through the crock pot, soaked them in oil for a couple weeks and then worked through the polishing wheels.  The derailleurs look better then I could have thought and they function super smooth.  I couldn't be happier with the derailleurs!! I love this stuff!
  
Bill's Schwinn Varsity Restoration - Front Derailleur
Before

Bill's Schwinn Varsity Restoration - Front Derailleur
Before

Bill's Schwinn Varsity Restoration - Front Derailleur
Exploded

Bill's Schwinn Varsity Restoration - Front Derailleur
Exploded

Bill's Schwinn Varsity Restoration - Front Derailleur Polished

Bill's Schwinn Varsity Restoration - Front Derailleur Complete

Bill's Schwinn Varsity Restoration - Front Derailleur
Installed

Bill's Schwinn Varsity Restoration - Front Derailleur
Installed
New cables will make all the difference and I think the darker gray housings are perfect for the green color.
Bill's Schwinn Varsity Restoration - New Cables
& Housings

Bill's Schwinn Varsity Restoration - Brake Cables
Complete

Bill's Schwinn Varsity Restoration - Brake Cables Complete

Bill's Schwinn Varsity Restoration - Brake Cables Complete
The pie plate was a little rough but it polished up very nice.  I flushed and soaked the freewheel in oil for quite a while.  The freewheel spins amazing now!  They look great installed.

Bill's Schwinn Varsity Restoration - Pie Plate Polished
Freewheel Ready

Bill's Schwinn Varsity Restoration - Freewheel
Complete

Bill's Schwinn Varsity Restoration - Seat Ready

Bill's Schwinn Varsity Restoration - Seat Complete

Bill's Schwinn Varsity Restoration - Seat Complete
The rear derailleur got the same treatment of the front derailleur.  The rear derailleur also turned out fantastic!
Bill's Schwinn Varsity Restoration - Rear Derailleur Before

Bill's Schwinn Varsity Restoration - Rear Derailleur Exploded

Bill's Schwinn Varsity Restoration - Rear Derailleur
Polished

Bill's Schwinn Varsity Restoration - Rear Derailleur Complete

Bill's Schwinn Varsity Restoration - Rear Derailleur
Installed

Bill's Schwinn Varsity Restoration - Rear Derailleur Installed

Bill's Schwinn Varsity Restoration - Chain Installed

Bill's Schwinn Varsity Restoration - Derailler Cables
COmplete

Bill's Schwinn Varsity Restoration - Derailleur Cables Complete

Pedals are rough.  They have been cleaned, polished, flushed and are currently soaking in an oil bath.  They should comeback pretty nice soon!

Bill's Schwinn Varsity Restoration - Pedals Before

1 comment:

  1. Hi John, I'm restoring this same bike as you currently, only it's yellow. What method are you using for removing rust from each of these parts? Thanks for your help

    ReplyDelete