1972 Schwinn Super Sport
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1972 Schwinn Super Sport
This is a near survivor Super Sport that I purchased in the late 1980s. It went to a brother for perhaps 15 years, and came back to me and wasn't ridden for maybe another 15 years as it was too large for me. I ride my 73 that I bought in 1975. I was going to give this to my son, but it is a bit large for him at the Schwinn 26" size. I recently acquired a couple more incomplete Super Sports from the bike co-op in the medium size. I will put a complete one together for my son. A couple parts from the co-op bikes went on this one at cleanup and putting back to stock configuration. So this one has most of its original parts on it and a few period correct items from the 1972 or 1973 donors.
1972 Super Sport
Schwinn lists this as 26"
It needs some bar tape, and it formerly had a mirror that I removed.
I swapped out the freewheel years ago when I got it. I put the stocker back on. The RD was on it when I got it. It is a Shimano RD Z501 from the mid 80s I believe. For decades, my 73 wore a Suntour V-GT and this one seems comparable to that. I do have a stock RD from one of the donor bikes that I tried. I relearned why I switched mine 40+ years ago, and why this one is also switched. Pedals from donor bike are the correct Atom 440s.
Mostly stock drivetrain
Both stock Weinmanns are there and are fairly true. Schwinn approved Japanes tires on both ends, but I am not sure if they are the second set. It did have a Dia Compe rear caliper on it that I switched out for a correct Schwinn approved one. The stock Brooks B15 is in great shape.
1972 on hub, as well as on crank
Schwinn approved barely visible.
I love the B15
I went through all the bearings, and changed out the brake cables. The outers are all original I believe. This is not a show queen, and there are numerous chips and scratches on it. It has seen modest wear and has been stored inside. I have a full membership, so may be posting this in the sales section. There is also a bike swap meet coming up soon that I plan to take this too. Thanks for your appraisals.
1972 Super Sport
Schwinn lists this as 26"
It needs some bar tape, and it formerly had a mirror that I removed.
I swapped out the freewheel years ago when I got it. I put the stocker back on. The RD was on it when I got it. It is a Shimano RD Z501 from the mid 80s I believe. For decades, my 73 wore a Suntour V-GT and this one seems comparable to that. I do have a stock RD from one of the donor bikes that I tried. I relearned why I switched mine 40+ years ago, and why this one is also switched. Pedals from donor bike are the correct Atom 440s.
Mostly stock drivetrain
Both stock Weinmanns are there and are fairly true. Schwinn approved Japanes tires on both ends, but I am not sure if they are the second set. It did have a Dia Compe rear caliper on it that I switched out for a correct Schwinn approved one. The stock Brooks B15 is in great shape.
1972 on hub, as well as on crank
Schwinn approved barely visible.
I love the B15
I went through all the bearings, and changed out the brake cables. The outers are all original I believe. This is not a show queen, and there are numerous chips and scratches on it. It has seen modest wear and has been stored inside. I have a full membership, so may be posting this in the sales section. There is also a bike swap meet coming up soon that I plan to take this too. Thanks for your appraisals.
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#2
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The SS is a great bike!!
Very smooth. This one looks in VERY good condition.
Great job on the resto !!!
Some think the SS is too heavy. While it is on the " heavy" side, the SS is VERY stable and sturdy !!!!
I have a few of these and love them. Although I ride primarily a Schwinn Sports Tourer now, along with the Schwinn Tempo, the SS is one of the very best bikes out there.
STEEL IS REAL !!
Very smooth. This one looks in VERY good condition.
Great job on the resto !!!
Some think the SS is too heavy. While it is on the " heavy" side, the SS is VERY stable and sturdy !!!!
I have a few of these and love them. Although I ride primarily a Schwinn Sports Tourer now, along with the Schwinn Tempo, the SS is one of the very best bikes out there.
STEEL IS REAL !!
#3
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$200 (local).
#4
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#5
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One of the few models in which you can feature a chrome-moly frame label and an Ashtabula crank in the same photo.
Very nicely done. Even sports an original reflector. Yeah, the bar tape could use a refresh, but it's in remarkably good shape for its age. I was never a fan of that crinkly translucent stuff BITD, but it's iconic of the time and the brand.
Very nicely done. Even sports an original reflector. Yeah, the bar tape could use a refresh, but it's in remarkably good shape for its age. I was never a fan of that crinkly translucent stuff BITD, but it's iconic of the time and the brand.
#7
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#8
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The SS is heavy but a great riding bike - I own a '71 Kool Lemon and a '72 Lime - my '71 I bought new and came with toe clips. The '72 I inherited. I suggest you ask $325 -$350
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$200ish is about right minus the saddle given the condition of the bike.
#10
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I had this listed local on Craigslist for $250. I got a couple calls and then one from a guy from 50 miles away who still owned his original one in the kool lemon and wanted another. I threw in the stock rd and toeclips and he was happy paying $250. He wasn’t sure if he was going to ride his originally purchased one or this one which is in better shape, but he just wanted to have another one. He was happy, and I was happy it was going to someone who would appreciate it.
I also mentioned in my original post that I was putting one together for my son from a couple co-op donors bikes. It is the medium size and came out so nice I may wind up keeping it and build him another as he might appreciate an upright conversion. I already gave him an 1980 Le’tour years ago. The new stock build I did reminds me too much of my 73 that I get a soft spot whenever I see it. New post coming sometime as I have 3 opaque blue 73s now. A stocker, a slightly modified rider condition one in 12 speed, and an upright city bike 1X6 conversion. After riding my more modern and sporty bikes, I have come to appreciate what the SS is. They ride nice.
I also mentioned in my original post that I was putting one together for my son from a couple co-op donors bikes. It is the medium size and came out so nice I may wind up keeping it and build him another as he might appreciate an upright conversion. I already gave him an 1980 Le’tour years ago. The new stock build I did reminds me too much of my 73 that I get a soft spot whenever I see it. New post coming sometime as I have 3 opaque blue 73s now. A stocker, a slightly modified rider condition one in 12 speed, and an upright city bike 1X6 conversion. After riding my more modern and sporty bikes, I have come to appreciate what the SS is. They ride nice.
#11
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The only gripe I've got about those old Schwinns is that pie plate chain guard that's stamped onto the chain rings. If the chain slips off the big ring & gets in between the rings and the guard you're f#&ked! Don't ask me how I know about all this. So, I love the bike. But, I would ditch the entire crankset for something with chainring bolts and a three piece square taper bracket. That's it. That's all. Done deal. Be good. Have fun.
#12
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I picked up a '67 Super Sport recently. Very neglected condition, but all original. Took maybe 6 hours or so of scrubbing and buffing to bring it back to life. What amazes me is whether its a Sting Ray, Typhoon, Varsity the headset and bottom bracket are all the same. The oversized BB with simple pressed in cups and boat anchor one piece crank is indestructible. 53 year old caged bearings cleaned up like new. Say what you will about one piece steel cranks, but they work, and are just so simple to work on. The same with the headset. Simple, easy to maintain, just a pleasure to work with. Then the real kicker. Every Schwinn that I have encountered, the derailleurs are in perfect adjustnent. The only adjustment I made was to bend the front derailleur cage a smidge, as it was slightly expanded. Shifts frt and rear just like it did 50 years ago. Schwinn built good sturdy bikes. Simple engineering, lots of steel, and great quality control from the frame up to the finished bike.
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#13
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You are so right about the chain rings. Losing the chain off of the front sprocket is not fun day in the park. Have not had that happen in awhile. But now that I mention it, guess what will happen on my next ride. Be safe and thanks for sharing.
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I’ve never lost the chain on the outside or it’s been long enough ago that I don’t remember as I’ve not ridden mine with the protector since about 1976. As for the crank, I liked the concept of the one piece crank and changed out the sprockets to save weight and change gearing on one of my other Sports. Only about a pound heavier that a 3 piece setup.
https://www.bikeforums.net/classic-v...an-t-i-do.html
https://www.bikeforums.net/classic-v...an-t-i-do.html
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That bicycle is amazing! Itruly enjoyed the pictures and the epilogue where she went to a good home!
i drool over Colnagos , Tommasinis and the like, but occasionally a machine like yours comes across and slaps me in the face with how unassumingly cool it is .
i drool over Colnagos , Tommasinis and the like, but occasionally a machine like yours comes across and slaps me in the face with how unassumingly cool it is .
#16
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I am glad some folks appreciate the oldies. The 73 I just did may be even nicer. Sometime in the spring I will post pics on the main C&V site of that and my other 2 modified ones.
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Had a SSS from the '60s or '70s. Beautiful dark brown metallic with impeccable filet brazing and 4130 CroMo. I recall removing the Ashtabula crank and replacing it with a 3 piece crank using some kind of bottom bracket conversion kit. Stripped off the stem shifters and replaced them with bar ends. Also figured out how to remove the kickstand to save another couple of pounds. Changed the drivetrain and wheels out, mostly Suntour components. I remember that I had to machine an adapter so that the Japanese rear derailleur could screw into the dropout hanger that was designed for the French Huret Alvit.
Built some new wheels using Super Champion rims and Suntour hubs. Bicycle served me well for a number of years, was quite a bit lighter than production, and taught me bicycle mechanics and wheel building.
Built some new wheels using Super Champion rims and Suntour hubs. Bicycle served me well for a number of years, was quite a bit lighter than production, and taught me bicycle mechanics and wheel building.
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Great picture's and resource for my upcoming reassemble of a 72 SS. Thanks.
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Did some Super Sports have forged dropouts?