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Registered
Join Date: Dec 2005
Posts: 3,384
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Got a cool old bike for FREE!
A friends neighbor had a bike sitting outside with a Free sign on it! It needs work but looks awesome. Its a Schwinn Continental. Only question I have for the experts is: the front wheel has the chrome/coating peeling where the brakes scrub. Is there an accepted method to make this an even finish all around so the brakes drag smooth?
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11-14-2014, 01:56 PM
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least common denominator
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: San Pedro,CA
Posts: 22,506
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Back when I was a kid WD40 and steel wool... however keep in mind my Schwinn had coaster brakes.
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Gary Fisher 29er 2019 Kia Stinger 2.0t gone  1995 Miata Sold 1984 944 Sold I am not lost for I know where I am, however where I am is lost. - Winnie the poo. |
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11-14-2014, 01:58 PM
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Registered
Join Date: Dec 2005
Posts: 3,384
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Quote:
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11-14-2014, 02:04 PM
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abides.
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Short answer: replace them with some inexpensive aluminum rims.
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Graham 1984 Carrera Targa |
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11-14-2014, 02:10 PM
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least common denominator
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: San Pedro,CA
Posts: 22,506
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Quote:
But if you are only concerned with function I think the steel wool/WD40 would be okay. Obviously it won't look as nice as new rims... however I presumed it is a rusty old free bike so I gave you the cheap solution. FWIW my wife dumped $100 on an old Schwinn for our daughter for college and then (much to my ire) they spend another $100 fixing it up... when for $200 we could have bought a shiny new (made in China) beach cruiser.
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Gary Fisher 29er 2019 Kia Stinger 2.0t gone 1995 Miata Sold 1984 944 Sold I am not lost for I know where I am, however where I am is lost. - Winnie the poo. |
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11-14-2014, 02:29 PM
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weekend wOrrier
Join Date: May 2011
Posts: 6,269
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my one glass of wine response,
I pulled some schwinn continentals out of a trashcan once myself! Great find! If you go the way of aluminum rims/ new tires remember (I think) they are 27x1 inch rims, not 700c. The thing that is cool about your find is that they are free. If you are really going to ride it, remember steel rims wet suck on braking, so that rust actually helps you stop. The alu rims are light years ahead of the steelies, but cost $. p.s.- when I got mine, I pulled the front cranks off, and drilled/mounted a rear cog on the front (something like a 24 tooth cog), making a granny gear for mountainbiking (this was before mountainbiking really and all I could afford) WHAT A BLAST! The bike could motor through anything. What a fun time! Good luck, Ron |
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11-14-2014, 02:59 PM
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abides.
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You can find cheap aluminum wheel sets, but I guess that the old freewheel wheelsets might be getting a little harder to find in decent shape.
There are brake sets out there that are specifically for 27" to 700C wheel conversions.
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Graham 1984 Carrera Targa |
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11-14-2014, 03:20 PM
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1984 Porsche Carrera Targa
