TokyoZack

Whats happening guys! So for a year now I have been hunting the state-side classifieds for a decent classic schwinn only to find overpriced junk. I sort of gave up other than browsing japanese bike shops (that sell American schwinns for $800+) until early this morning. I received a text from my dad who just found me a Schwinn Continental at a Goodwill Store for $20.

I am posting because I live in Japan and the bike will take awhile to get here, I'd like to start locating a 700c setup, and accumulating the components that aren't really re-polish-able. If anyone has a link to a detailed rebuild thread please let me know. Any clue what size this is?
















Im mainly just looking for some advice..."you can save that!" "definitely replace that!" etc...Ill also be repainting and buying new decals, anyone recommend a specific paint? Id like to stick with as close to original yellow as possible.

Mbrgr1

I'm guessing 23in on the seat and top tube, that'll look great all cleaned up!

TokyoZack

I really hope so, I have attempted to rebuild old bikes when I was younger but I want to do a REAL rebuild this time. No half-assing it thing tim. Funny thing is my dad had the exact same bike down to the color when he was a kid.

Chombi

Leave the bike's finish as-is. It's not that bad yet. The flaws on the finish can still be considered as patina. Maybe just an OA bath just to get rid of the rust. They would love that old American bike over there for sure, especially the nice lugless (electro- forged?) frame construction. Just replace any worn out or lame looking stuff like that horrible saddle....
Good luck getting her back on the road in Japan!

Chombi

obrentharris 

I am not a Schwinn expert but I think that color is called "Kool Lemon" and is available from hyper-formance.com.

I like the matching yellow brake lever covers!
Brent

Metacortex

That looks like a '71 or '72 Continental in Kool Lemon with a 24" frame. It is missing the original "Schwinn Approved" (Mesinger) saddle, Atom 440 alloy pedals, Kool Lemon "flexon" handlebar tape, and the entire rear wheel (hub, rim, spoke protector and probably the freewheel). The price is very good, not sure about the shipping though!

TokyoZack

The seat says MESINGER, not sure if its original though. The rear wheel isn't original? Doesnt matter too much...I plan to go to 700c wheels just because I like the look. Yea shipping will be about $100...hoping my dad picks up the bill haha.


Any clue what pedals it has?

Metacortex

The original saddle was a "Schwinn Approved" racing style made by Mesinger, you can see one on eBay here: https://www.ebay.com/itm/290911454966

Note that the eBay seller's description is incorrect, the saddle is vinyl covered and did *not* come on the Paramount. The Mesinger saddle that's on your bike now is not original to the bike, but that's OK, you can replace it with something better, just like the wheels.

The pedals on there now are from a tourist bike (meaning a bike with upright handlebars), the originals were Atom 440 rattraps that looked like these except that they had 1/2" x 20tpi threaded spindles and had reflectors bolted to them: https://velobase.com/ViewComponent.as...4-0e6fb7c716de

TokyoZack

Thanks Metacortex! You seem pretty knowledgeable (No offense to anyone else haha).

Does anyone know what specs/dimensions I should be looking for when shopping for a 700c wheelset?

TokyoZack

After doing some research, i believe ill be leaving the finish on the frame as is. MAYBE attempt to remove some rust, but even doing that could damage the original finish. Looks like ill just be replacing and polishing up components as necessary. I've also started to like the look of the original high quality chrome wheels...Maybe pick up a rear wheel on ebay.

Lug

$800 for US Schwinn bikes !?!? Guess I need to start a vintage Schwinn export business with the derelict Schwinns I have been gifted with.

Pars 

OA won't damage the original paint, but will just kill the rust. Go over it with some scratch remover (Scratch-X, etc.), and wax it. Not sure how available oxalyic acid is there, but it is usually sold as wood bleach crystals here in the US. Vinegar might also work well enough.

TokyoZack

Yea it's insane the amount of markup even common items receive in Japan. Anything vintage is pretty expensive here. I found a no-name "classic looking" road frame for ¥12,000(roughly $120). I've seen a few European bikes for over $1,000.

alletcat

nice bike,,,kool lemon is color,i had a lemon peeler same color,,but these were tough bikes,,friend had one we rode it to peices

TokyoZack

I plan to do the same. I want to put some serious miles on it...My Specialized Langster even with the Sturmy Hub can be a PITA with only 3 speeds and very wide gaps between them. Especially with mountainous terrain in west of Tokyo.

noglider 

I would imagine that shipping a Schwinn Continental from the US to Japan will cost a lot more than $100. And could you tell us why you've had your heart set on a Schwinn? Why not find the best your area can offer?

I'm sure you have your reasons. I just can't imagine what they are.

CenturionIM

Clean it up and sell it for $400 profit minimum.

ironwood

Why ship an old Schwinn to Japan? I doubt you will be able to find parts for it if you need to replace something. I don't know what is available in Japanese bicycle shops, I've heard there are not lot of used bikes for sale, but it seems to me you should be able to find something better. If I lived in Japan, I4d get something from Toie, or Grand Bois, even if I had to go into debt to pay for it.

TokyoZack

You all make very good points giving your knowledge of Japan. The shipping is to a Military installation so I don't pay international shipping fee's.

Anything vintage, especially Japanese made products are insanely expensive. Finding a used bike alone is pretty difficult. Throw in the fact that I'm 5'11" and I'm **** out of luck when looking for a classic/vintage road bike. If its made in Japan, there is a good chance 54 and 56cm weren't sold locally, and they have no reason to import those size bikes due to the populations average height. Japan isn't like the US...it seems that old stuff gets tossed.

The biggest thing is that my dad has been looking for it for months, and I can't just say "hey pops! Leave it in the garage, I'll pick it up in 4 years!"

2112YYZ

I like that bike a lot.

It will be cool that you will have indestructible American Iron over in Japan. Dare to be Different!

TokyoZack

For those of you that think im crazy for spending the money to ship this to Japan. Check out how much a rusty American made Schwinn(missing tons of original parts) goes for in Tokyo:

https://p39-clowns.com/bicyclepage_p39_190.html

Hopefully ill be selling this for a similar price in a few months haha. (thats over $1,000)

mainstreetexile 

It looks like that is an asking price, I'm curious if that actually sold. They're probably the Japanese equivalent of "Budget Bicycle Center," who list bikes for ridiculously inflated prices on ebay. Here is a Continental that they're selling for $400, no one is chomping at the bit:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-Used...-/290819736902

Chombi

Coudl Schwinn Continentals and Varsities be America's "UO8s"??

TokyoZack

"P39 Clowns" is a high end vintage shop in Tokyo who sell lots of bikes. They also sell furniture and antiques. Prices for Vintage american products in Japan cant be compared with a bicycle shop in Wisconsin.

Chombi

"P39 Clowns"??! And I thought it was weird when I saw "Yellow Corn" in big letters on the front and backs of leather motorcycling jackets from Japan....Hmmmm....Must be hard, tough shelled yellow unpopped popcorn corn, they mean..... Only the Japanese can come up with such use of the English language....