ilyaz

Hello Everyone. Not sure if this is the right thread for my post. I just joined, so this is my first post aside from an intro.

The other day I almost literally pulled out of a dumpster this Schwinn Speedster bike. It was part of a shed cleanout, and it was hanging in this shed for many years. I don't know much about bikes but it seems to be almost fully functional: even the tires hold air although they did make a creaking noise when I pumped them a bit.

1. How can I figure out its age? Was looking for any stamps on the body. Didn't find any but I suspect I might have been looking in wrong places.
2. The rear and front lights powered by the dynamo did not light up when I engaged the dynamo. I am suspecting the bulbs are bad. Can I find replacements? How do I figure out what bulbs I need?
3. Should I avoid riding it? I am assuming tires might have some dry rot. Are they likely to blow up if I put my slender 200+ lbs body on it? :-)
4. Since I am a total newbie, how should I go about restoring this bike to usable condition? Is there a "basic list" and an "advanced one"?

I have a bunch of photos of the bike but can't post them yet since this is my first post.

Thank you!

cb400bill

Welcome. We have moved your post to its own thread.

Pic Assist - https://www.bikeforums.net/g/album/20254231

BFisher

Welcome!
The serial number is likely stamped on the head tube just below the oval Schwinn badge. Use this link to find the age of the bike https://bikehistory.org/serial-number.html
The rear hub will also have a two digit date code. The bike looks 1970's to me.

ilyaz

Thank you @BFisher!! Found it:

So looks like a 3-Speed caliper brake model

bikemig 

Cool bike and nice find. You will want new tires and tubes for this bike. Other than that you will want to overhaul the bike (new ball bearings and grease for the hubs, bottom bracket, and headset) and replace the consumables (that includes the tires/tubes and also the cables and housing and brake pads). Plus you just want to clean it up. Once you've done that you have a new old bike that you can pretty much ride forever. Old Schwinns were made to survive the zombie apocalypse.

ilyaz

Got it thank you. Do you know if I get bulbs for the lights? I can't yet post links, but on the bikehistory page for 1977 it shows a photo with 5 sets ("SNAP! And you add lighting safety"). The one I have is in that photo in the upper right, the one with the rectangular-shaped headlight.

dedhed

When replacing tires on old Schwinns be aware of what the tire sizing is. Best to figure out what you have andlook for tires using the ISO/ERTO sizing rather than 26 x whatever
https://www.bikeforums.net/classic-v...ion-w-pic.html

ilyaz

Great to know thx

dedhed

https://www.bikeforums.net/classic-v...ight-help.html

notthe1freeman

I am so peanut butter and jealous

smontanaro 

BTDT. I converted my Speedster to 650A wheels (ISO 590) a few years ago. Not all that much more tire selection these days, but I was able to get Panaracer Col de la Vie tires. They are so much better than Kendas (about the only ISO 597 tires you'll find) that I considered the effort well worth it. I also got aluminum rims and a rear drum brake to boot.

John E

You may want to slide that saddle back a bit.

2cam16

Welcome and cool find! When you get adventurous, here's something to try out:

Velo Mule

Nice save ilyaz ! The bike appears to be in good overall shape. Add a few squirts of 30 weight oil in the rear Sturmey Archer hub with a good old fashioned oil can. At some point, you will either have a local bike shop re-grease the bearings or you will do it yourself. We'll help you out with that if you are willing. That is, unless your already know how. It's a Schwinn so it's not too difficult.

Ride it some and then plan your maintenance and updates. I'm with smontanaro with changing the wheels over to 26" x 1-3/8 (590), however, save that for later, if the wheels are good. The advantage of the 590 wheels is much better and more tires that are available.

Bike shops used to carry a supply of these old light bulbs. Find an old bike shop and give that a try. Otherwise you may be able to order it online but you may pay more for shipping than for the bulbs.

Advice varies on cleaning chrome. This bike has a lot of chrome and large sections on the fenders. I like the Turtle wax chrome cleaner it doesn't scratch the chrome, however, many like aluminum foil. Try it on a small section before doing the fenders. By the way, you don't actually have to clean it up.

You can enjoy it just as much as you found it. One of the things that I like about these Schwinn's is the chrome and the paint usually holds up well so just waxing the paint and cleaning the chrome can make it look great.

Many people don't like those mattress style saddles, however, I think that they are comfortable.

Keep posting so that you can show more pictures. We like pictures.

smontanaro 

Looks like the clamp is rotated 180° from its usual orientation.

Jeff Wills

I agree. However, some people like the very upright position...

Ilyaz, the bike looks like it's in very good shape. Schwinn paint is quality lacquer- some light polishing compound will make it shine. The chrome plating is also good quality- feel free to use whatever chrome cleaner you like. When I worked in a Schwinn shop, we used Quick-Glo: https://www.quick-glo.com/