T Stew

I have not used the Crazy Bars yet but the attraction there for me was to use them like drop bars/bullhorn bars on the tops and horns, with the swept back parts for rough/offroad or just another more relaxing position, so I assume I want the fit more like a drop bar of bullhorn.
I checked nashbar but those are pretty ugly & they don't even have a short offering (I'm considering 70mm or less to be short). I guess the main attraction to me for quill is more classy appearance, but I think some threadless adapters look much better than ugly welded quill. I also failed to mention I'm trying to do this all in polished but I guess black would look ok on the red frame if I decide not to repaint it. The seller did offer to take it back, I did pay way more than I should have for this frame I admit so it is tempting while I keep the hunt for a smaller one, but I've never shipped before seems like such a pain to package and high cost. Wish I had parts ready to go to test the fit.

badger_biker 

Thanks. Have you considered trekking bars as an option? This was my first experience and my Cimarron is also larger than what I generally ride. The controls are comfortable for me even with a longer stem. With a shorter stem you could bring them back to about the headset line. Just a thought since I've been really happy with the new bars. My approach to the Cimarron was to set it up for general city riding but after using the bars I would definitely consider them on one of my touring bikes.

T Stew

Yeah I have been thinking about them lately, I just have so much going on and a couple other frames I'm wanting to build that I'm not in any kind of rush. The trekking bars do look like they would help, might be worth a shot. Cheap enough to get a pair to try regardless.

Chiky

I know this post is waaay old, but I was wondering if you still had the wheelsets. I live in SoCal also.

justinsdrake

Looking for some advise. Should I spend the money on new (read used) VO Grand Cru hub (read) and Kasai Dyno (front) and Rhino lite rims and Rat Trap pass tires? About $350 Or should I just stick with the heavy but bomb-proof ACS Hubs and Araya RM 20 rims. Bike just feels really sluggish compared to the other bikes I ride. Maybe I just need to get used to it.

Anyone want to buy the ACS Hubs and RM20 rims to help finance the new goods?

dweenk

Completely by accident, I finally found a 1986 Cimarron. I took a found WalMart Mongoose BMX to my LBS this morning as a donation to the local coop. The lead mechanic was the only one around, so we started a long conversation. He had been to the Westminster Bike Swap last Saturday, so I was asking questions about what he had bought and what he had seen. Eventually I asked if he seen a Schwinn Cimarron at the show, and that I had been looking for one for a couple of years. He smiled and said that he had not seen one at the show, but had taken one as a trade back in November. He rolled it out of storage and apologized that he hadn't got around to cleaning or servicing it. Then he said, "I'll give you a deal on it".

A little negotiation took place, and $60 later it was mine. It is filthy, the paint is rough, there are scratches from locks & chains & bike racks, but it is mostly original. As far as I can tell the only non-original parts are pedals, stem, seat, grips, and possibly the seatpost. I went for a test ride and everything works (in a basic sense) but it does need some tuning. It is also a bit on the small side for me (20"), but I do like the ride.

dweenk

First impressions on the test ride:

1. The chain is too long
2. The FD low limit setting tosses the chain off of the small chainring
3. I didn't try to shift the RD onto the big ring, even though it has a humongous plastic dork disk

dweenk

After closer inspection this bike seems to be a mix of '85 and '86 components with a paint color that is not on the spec sheet of either year. It is a Chicago built Schwinn, but I was wondering if the company was using up parts near the close of Chicago. BTW: the headbadge is stamped 1756.

I understand that the Chicago factory closed in 1983, so that would make this a Greenville bike with a Schwinn/Chicago headbadge.

dweenk

I have been working on the Cimarron frame, some wet sanding, some brush touch-up, some spray touch-up. I found a decent match to "Schwinn Sunrise Red"; and guess what, it is Testors Red #1203 . It is not exact, but close enough from 5 or 10 feet. I have to wait for the paint to cure and then do a polish with a bit of rubbing compound and auto polish. Photos soon.

dweenk

The paint matches pretty well. I hope the compounding and polishing blends it with the original. The decals are intact, but gold on light red does not provide much contrast.


Badly backlit, sorry.

scale

That is looking great! Nice work.

dweenk

Thanks. I was dancing on the line between "good from 10 feet" and "just sand it down and have it PCed". I am a cheap bastard by nature, so I chose the former path - at least for now. The main problem is that I tend to become impatient at times, and paint requires patience.

dweenk

Impatient me decided to polish the three main tubes today. I should have waited longer, but no real damage was done to the paint. The down tube looks great (home of the hardest paint I think). The seat and top tubes look really good, but not like the down tube. After polishing, the paint still retains a bit of orange peel as a testament to my skills, but I'll take the results. Now I have to sit on my hands for a couple of days before touching it again.

BTW: Testors Red #1203 is nearly a perfect match to Schwinn Sunrise Red after it dries.

scale

What the hell kind of 1 inch headset nut is that? Looks like it has a cable hanger built in? Or is it some kind of weird cap that goes over the nut?

dweenk

It is a Suntour head binder/cable guide. It slides over the top of the steerer tube above the headset locknut, and is tightened by a 4mm allen bolt.

scale

cool. i havent seen one like that before. Post a picture if you get a chance. I like how it appears to fit over the top nut.

dweenk

Here we go.

dweenk

Update on the Cimarron.
It is touched up and nearly ready for assembly. Several parts need attention, but the paint is OK for a budget restore. Here are some photos.

dweenk

Here is where I am today. I still have many pieces in an Evaporust bath. I would love to find the proper bolts for A Sun Tour Surperbe seatpost.

dweenk

Got the brakes mounted today and fashioned a couple of cable guides for the underside of the bottom bracket shell that was being scored buy the shifter cables.

AdventureManCO 

So, there was one of these near me, but the frame was too big. I don't think it had the original fork. In any case, how do these ride? How is the frame weight? I'm assuming it is more with the lugs/fillet brazing, but I have no idea what tubing is used on these. I've heard a lot of QC issues around alignment with these bikes (and other Schwinns at the time @ MS plant) - has that affected ride quality much?

I'm keeping my eye out for one. They sound interesting!

dweenk

I didn't weigh the frame & fork when I had it apart, but fully assembled the weight was 29lb +/-. The bike rides well and tracks well, and has a bit quicker handling than my High Sierra (which has a slightly longer wheelbase and weighs about a pound more). I had heard about rear triangle alignment issues with some of the Greenville bikes, but this one doesn't seem to have that problem.

AdventureManCO 

Thanks for your thoughts!

dweenk

Way better than when I started.



I don't mind Bio-Pace.



VO silver braided cables.


The clamp is ugly with removed rust, but it is original.

At this moment I am lacking straddle cables and a chain for the Cimarron. I took a few photos this afternoon.

OTS 

@ dweenk

Your Cim turned out pretty sweet.
Now we need a ride report !