updating a Schwinn Superior

[dauphin]

A friend was going to take this one to the dump but was convinced to leave it with me. I would like to dismantle it and rebuild it with modern components and wheels. Has anyone here undertaken such a project? I'm wondering what kind of tools I will need to remove the bottom bracket, headset, etc. Thanks for your input.

[sporty65]

Man, What some people throw away! I'd love to find that bike for sale somewhere,been looking for a while. Those parts you want to replace are pretty good to begin with,unless the're bent. My 2 cents.


Pat

[super_sporter]

That's a hand brazed frame with euro bottom bracket. If you really love it, fix it up. If you're looking for a nice bike, sell it for ~$300 and buy something lighter. I did build up a bike around a similar frame, it's a nice rider, but you're paying a 3-4 lbs penalty for that frame and fork. Biggest issue is trying to find different stems, the 0.833 stem really limits options.

[rhenning]

Oil it, clean it and ride the heck out of it. It is worth a fair amount of money now and if you mess with it it will be worth less. It is only original once. It will be a great ride with just cleaning and care. Roger

[bartcycle]

That would be a shame to thow that bike away. The 21.1 stem and BMX size headset will limit your upgrades there but the other components would be upgradable.

[kenaroni]

Why on earth would someone want to take that bike to the dump?? And I have to play the Retrogrouch and wonder why you would want to dismantle it? Those old components (the decent quality ones) work great when tuned up. I love those bar end shifters.

[Greenephantom]

What kind of upgrades specifically?

The thing with upgrading bikes bit by bit is that it gets really expensive really fast. The original parts on these are actually pretty good, so any upgrades are going to be pricey for the return you get. You could upgrade to STI shifters, but then you're also looking at new wheels. (And new tires.) (And a pricey cassette.) (And derailleurs front and rear.) (And a chain.) (And cables and housing.) With new wheels you're also looking at spreading the rear triangle and likely filing out the front fork drops to fit the modern hubs. And with the STI levers you're also into replacing the brakes. The cost alone on the parts is prohibitive, and unless you do all the work yourself, the labor cost will also add significantly to the cost. I don't want to rain all over your parade, but I've seen people get about half-way through a project like this before figuring out the true cost.

My two cents: If it fits you, have a shop install some new tires and brake pads and repack the bearings. Ride it for a while and enjoy it. And if you want a lighter and faster bike, bite the bullet and drop the $600+ or so for a decent modern road bike.

There's quite a few people on this forum who would likely buy your Superior right now, they're neat bikes. If it was green instead of silver, I'd be one of those people too.

Cheers, Geoff

[bab2000]

Originally Posted by dauphin

1. I would like to dismantle it and rebuild it with modern components and wheels.
2. Has anyone here undertaken such a project?

1. Why? What changes do you wish to make? Index shifting would be the only major enhancement I cold think likely, and that would involve the Rear Derailleur, maybe the rear cog for correct gear spacing, and shifter for the RD. The front should be fine as friction with only the big and small F chain rings.

2. Several here have taken the time to restore, rehabilitate, and also enhanced such a bike.

Let us know what you have in mind, if you are crazy we will not be shy

There a couple of favors i would like to request of you. First is pertaining to the Bar end shifters. Could you please take some close up pictures of the cable guide bracket on the down tube, where the cables casings are attached? Second, if you could locate a make or name of the bar end shifters that are present?

I have a 1976 Superior project, and have been holding back on completion considering installing BE shifters to replace the down tube mounted that are present in place. Here are pictures of mine - http://i333.photobucket.com/albums/m...IMGP1553-1.jpg
http://i333.photobucket.com/albums/m...6/IMGP1556.jpg
http://i333.photobucket.com/albums/m...6/IMGP1564.jpg

This is a 26" frame.

You can determine your model year by locating the 4 digit code stamped on the head badge. The first three numbers is the day of the year, the last number will indicate the year.

Also the frame will have s erial number, located on the head tube base, near the forks, often right side. the first two characters will reveal the month and year the frame was built. The frame s used for Superiors in 76, 77 and 78 (?) were from left over stock of Sport Tourers, except the rear dropouts are spread to 126 mm, for a wider rear axle, and I think all were Huret dropouts.

If you which to update the handle bars, and shifters, let me know, may have interest in the Bar end shifters as well as the cable guide clamp, actually the whole handle bar assembly, brakes with hoods as well.

[dauphin]

My Superior is serial number GJ806795 which wouldl make it July 1973 according to http://www.geocities.com/sldatabook/serial.html

The bar end shifters are Suntour. The other components appear to be Schwinn brand. I rode it for about 20 miles today. Not sure of the frame size. The top tube measures 22 1/2 inches and the seat tube measures 24 inches. Would anyone know what size the frame is and how that translates into centimeters?

it's curious that the superior decal is missing from the top tube

sup4.jpg

[ozzmonaut7]

I guess I'm with everybody else in that I would not change this bike. The parts that are on it were probably top of the line for the time . It was probably good enough for some professional racers of the time.

[dauphin]

Originally Posted by ozzmonaut7

I guess I'm with everybody else in that I would not change this bike. The parts that are on it were probably top of the line for the time . It was probably good enough for some professional racers of the time.

I'm leaning toward keeping it as is...but would like to make sure it is in top operating condition...

[rhenning]

To your questions. 24" seat tubes in Schwinns is equal to 58 to 60 CM bike. 24" is the frame size. The bike is newer than the frame date as the first Superiors used up left over Sports Tourer frames from the 1973 era. On the Head badge there should be 4 digits stamped into it. Very small and hard to read. The first 3 are the day of the year and the 4th is the year. 0236 would for example be Jan. 26, 1976. My guess is your bike is a 1976 or 1977 sold bike. Sun Tour shifters were the ones used by Schwinn. Roger

[bartcycle]

The Superior was a little different from the later Sports Tourer. The Superior had a kickstand bracket instead of a built in kickstand and the Superior had downtube shifters instead of the cable stops for stem shifters.

[dauphin]

Originally Posted by rhenning

To your questions. 24" seat tubes in Schwinns is equal to 58 to 60 CM bike. 24" is the frame size. The bike is newer than the frame date as the first Superiors used up left over Sports Tourer frames from the 1973 era. On the Head badge there should be 4 digits stamped into it. Very small and hard to read. The first 3 are the day of the year and the 4th is the year. 0236 would for example be Jan. 26, 1976. My guess is your bike is a 1976 or 1977 sold bike. Sun Tour shifters were the ones used by Schwinn. Roger

I found that number on mine and it is 2266. How do you get Jan 26 out of 023?

I think the frame is too large for me. Perhaps I will sell it.

[rhenning]

I wasn't watching what I typed. I should have said Jan. 23. Roger