gigerrider

i have a 1973 schwinn Continental, I want to ditch the stock one piece crank. What, if any, options do I have to have more modern parts in my BB? I plan on keeping this thing a ten speed but the frame and paint are the only things staying stock.

marley mission

i was thinking about this question tonight - crazy - i also have a frame i wanted to build up that came with a one piece and was wondering about what needs to happen to convert it to a 3 piece

zukahn1 

I know you can get a conversion kit for the bb for about $30 here is an example of one.

https://www.sickbikeparts.com/Product...20Adapter.html

I for one would not chose a Continental if I wanted to make a lot of upgrades or changes. Instead I would go with a slightly newer or expensive model that already has a three piece crank and possibly alloy rims.

pastorbobnlnh 

It can become an expensive endeavor. Adapter+Cartridge BB+crankset+pedals will run at least $100, but depending on what you spend for a crankset, much much higher.

I've converted 5 Schwinn one piece BB/cranks to three piece. It can be a very satisfying experience, but finding the correct width BB can be a hit or miss experience.

kroozer 

My first 10-speed was a Continental. It really got me into biking, but at the same time I quickly realized what a tank it was. I considered swapping out parts to lighten it up, but no matter how much I would have spent it was still always going to be a heavy tank, because of the frame. I just waited until I could buy a lighter bike, and I'm glad I did. For $100 you can get a decent used bike that weighs about half as much as the Continental. If you like the Continental that much, keep it as it is, but it's not worth spending money on.

John E

The preacher is, of course, the expert on Schwinn upgrades. The one which probably is worthwhile is a fillet-brazed frame, such as a Super Sport. A Super Sport already has alloy rims and just needs alloy cranks, a nice old SunTour rear derailleur, and barcons to replace the TwinStiks.

gigerrider

this looks like the part I was thinking of in my head. there are no specs on the link, is this the correct size for the old BB I know its close to 2in diameter

gigerrider

I realize its a little heavy. I was in Adrenaline Bikes in orange ca today and i was drooling over the full carbon $1800 frames and picked one up, it was like holding a chopstick. I know my bike will be a bit of a tank but I like american stuff new and old from my 67' t-bird to my 03 f-150

pastorbobnlnh 

The black adapter will work, but I can't say for certain if the cups and bearings will work with the traditional spindle needed for your particular crankset. This is where it is hit or miss. I have never been able to make a traditional BB work in one of the adapters. I've only had luck with Phil Wood BB ($$$$$) and Shimano or Tange cartridge BB ($).



Edit: Looking at the above, I spot one concern with this set up--- once the cups are finger tightened into the adapter and its recess, how will you engage the needed tool to complete the installation or even take it a part for servicing? I'd stay away from this and just buy an adapter and a Shimano UN54 BB.

I used the FMF adapter. You can see it peeking through the crank spider.



I've only been to Orange a few times but I seem to remember it being rather flat. If you can keep the ole Continental mostly on flat pavement it can really roll. A few years back I did a major renovation of my '62 Continental, including my first BB conversion and aluminum rims laced to the original hubs. I have to say when I'm on flat stretches I can really make the bike fly. Also it speeds down hills. Climbing is slow and can be painful at times. So keep all this in mind. It will never be a modern CF wonder bike.

gigerrider

thanks for the insite. I was thinking of after installation of the adapter pictured of drilling and tapping a screw hole in each outer piece for the BB install/ service to keep the adapter from spinning.

You don't happen to have a link to the proper adapter?

Orange is pretty flat but my school is on the top of the only hill in the city, dammit, and I do plan on trying to ride this up to school.

pastorbobnlnh 

The adapter won't spin, no worries there.

My favorite is the FMF adapter. Here's one place to buy it.

gigerrider

Cool thanks, last question(well probably not) which BB do I combine with the adapter? is it a specific one or does the adapter open up the options greatly

pastorbobnlnh 

My best suggestions is to look for Shimano UN54s. Click on the picture to link to website.



But--- it depends on what crankset you use. Have any in mind? Is it square taper?

gigerrider

i knew I would have more questions. I have no clue honestly what I plan on using. I suppose what ever fits on the BB. I would like to keep it a 10 speed, but its not set in stone.

gigerrider

ok due to the points brought up in this thread i decided that what I originally wanted this bike to be is just not going to be what i want. So the point being made that where I live is fairly flat and that's where i will be riding it mostly close to home. I have decide to make it a Fixie as soon as I can figure out how to post pics I will show the progress thus far. I have cut, grinded and and files all of the old tabs for shifters and rear breaks off as I will likely be using none or maybe just the front.

gigerrider

from beginning to end







here's my 1 week 73' resto conversion

Henry III

You can also buy american size square taper bottom brackets and not have to mess around with any adapters. You can get ones with nice sealed bearing, titanium spindles, chromoly spindles...BMX bikes used american size bottom brackets before switching over to Spanish and god knows how many other styles they've used recently. If you've got a shop that has been around for awhile they could possibly have something or know of something. I used a loose ball bearing square taper american size bottom bracket on a Schwinn klunker project I finished recently. The one I used was from Tioga.

photogravity

Looks sweet. I like the way the colour combination turned out. I'd put a front brake on it at a minimum. Those old Schwinns are just neat bikes, even if they are heavy as a boulder. The bike I ride most often is a 1970 Schwinn Collegiate that I converted to a 5-speed Sachs Pentasport IGH a while back.


1970 Schwinn Collegiate - 4 by Sallad Rialb, on Flickr


1970 Schwinn Collegiate - 2 by Sallad Rialb, on Flickr

Zaphod Beeblebrox 

Nice lookin Paint work That's not done with Rattle Cans is it?

dbakl

A Campagnolo crank on a Continental? I think I'm... I don't know what!

gigerrider

rattle cans and 4 days worth of of total work.
1. Two coats of primer, white then grey
2. Wet sanding
3. Coat with silver paint until complete coverage achieved
4. No wet sand on the metalic paint.
5. About 5 light coats of high gloss
6. Wet sand entire bike/forks.
7. Two heavy coats of gloss
8. Spot sand any rough spots then final coat of high gloss.

key component is to not rush i have always moved to quickly in the past on paint projectsand f***ed them up before they are completely dry.

gigerrider

the most technical part would have been removing the kickstand mount and the cable brackets and making them appear as though they were never there. I used a angle grinder for the most part then finished with a hand file. A little tedious but perfect results are achieved

sillygolem

There are still plenty of manufacturers that make 3-piece BB kits for American shells, but you'll be limited by spindle sizes since their intended for single speed cranks.

As for which crankset, I suggest poking around on a gearing calculator and figuring out what setup you want, then pick up a crankset and the BB to fit it. Personally, I like this one because it has values for a lot of older freewheels built in:
https://home.earthlink.net/~mike.sherman/shift.html
The main decision will be whether you want a regular or compact crankset.