Question concerning a chrome frame 1972 Schwinn (Varsity?)
12-03-20, 10:53 AM
#1
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Question concerning a chrome frame 1972 Schwinn (Varsity?)
I found yet another bike I think may be uncommon. It's a 1972 Schwinn serial number MH545972. It has a chrome frame. The chrome in the area around the bottom bracket has lost it's luster, or maybe that was the way it was manufactured? My question is: if the chrome somehow got damaged, is there a way to restore it short of having the whole thing rechromed? I tried a little Brasso on it and it didn't appear to make a difference. Thanks in advance for any advice.
12-03-20, 11:58 AM
#2
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Most people now seem to like to use aluminum foil to clean up chrome. My preference is Turtle Wax Chrome cleaner. It seems to be less abrasive and better at polishing. That doesn't mean that you chrome will be converted. Only that I think it is you best chance.
From the pictures, it looks like the chrome near and around the bottom bracket has changed. You might need more than one application of the chrome cleaner. See if it starts getting better. If not, I don't know.
A chrome Varsity! One of our members had come across one of these. I don't think they were ever listed as an option in a Schwinn catalog. Do you have serial number on it? It is funny, just a few weeks ago someone posted a Varsity that one of our forum member said "You have an Oxymoron, a rare Varsity". This might be another of those "Rare Varsities".
From the pictures, it looks like the chrome near and around the bottom bracket has changed. You might need more than one application of the chrome cleaner. See if it starts getting better. If not, I don't know.
A chrome Varsity! One of our members had come across one of these. I don't think they were ever listed as an option in a Schwinn catalog. Do you have serial number on it? It is funny, just a few weeks ago someone posted a Varsity that one of our forum member said "You have an Oxymoron, a rare Varsity". This might be another of those "Rare Varsities".
Last edited by Velo Mule; 12-03-20 at 12:30 PM.
12-03-20, 12:29 PM
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I remember as a kid, I would collect Hot Wheels cars. Many of us did at the time. These were available at department, toy and hobby stores. Mattel had a special edition that was only available by mail order. It was a chrome plated car.
I wonder if the chrome plated Varsity was some special edition from around the same time? Chrome was cool in the '70's.
I wonder if the chrome plated Varsity was some special edition from around the same time? Chrome was cool in the '70's.
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12-03-20, 12:32 PM
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12-03-20, 03:20 PM
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Yup, I've observed that the chrome isn't as nice at the bottom bracket as it is on the rest of the bikes, for all fully-chromed bikes.
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12-03-20, 03:24 PM
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You're right that this is the effect of masking or shielding of the electric field in the plating solution.
My own chromed heavyweight is this rare 27"-wheel Huffy frame/fork, which not coincidentally features identical dimensions and geometry as a 24" Varsity or Continental.
12-04-20, 02:02 AM
#7
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Thread Starter
I remember as a kid, I would collect Hot Wheels cars. Many of us did at the time. These were available at department, toy and hobby stores. Mattel had a special edition that was only available by mail order. It was a chrome plated car.
I wonder if the chrome plated Varsity was some special edition from around the same time? Chrome was cool in the '70's.
I wonder if the chrome plated Varsity was some special edition from around the same time? Chrome was cool in the '70's.
12-04-20, 02:07 AM
#8
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12-04-20, 02:10 AM
#9
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Thread Starter
You're right that this is the effect of masking or shielding of the electric field in the plating solution.
My own chromed heavyweight is this rare 27"-wheel Huffy frame/fork, which not coincidentally features identical dimensions and geometry as a 24" Varsity or Continental.
My own chromed heavyweight is this rare 27"-wheel Huffy frame/fork, which not coincidentally features identical dimensions and geometry as a 24" Varsity or Continental.
12-04-20, 02:14 AM
#10
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Thread Starter
12-04-20, 02:20 AM
#11
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Thread Starter
Most people now seem to like to use aluminum foil to clean up chrome. My preference is Turtle Wax Chrome cleaner. It seems to be less abrasive and better at polishing. That doesn't mean that you chrome will be converted. Only that I think it is you best chance.
From the pictures, it looks like the chrome near and around the bottom bracket has changed. You might need more than one application of the chrome cleaner. See if it starts getting better. If not, I don't know.
A chrome Varsity! One of our members had come across one of these. I don't think they were ever listed as an option in a Schwinn catalog. Do you have serial number on it? It is funny, just a few weeks ago someone posted a Varsity that one of our forum member said "You have an Oxymoron, a rare Varsity". This might be another of those "Rare Varsities".
From the pictures, it looks like the chrome near and around the bottom bracket has changed. You might need more than one application of the chrome cleaner. See if it starts getting better. If not, I don't know.
A chrome Varsity! One of our members had come across one of these. I don't think they were ever listed as an option in a Schwinn catalog. Do you have serial number on it? It is funny, just a few weeks ago someone posted a Varsity that one of our forum member said "You have an Oxymoron, a rare Varsity". This might be another of those "Rare Varsities".
Last edited by myz34; 12-04-20 at 02:22 AM. Reason: Additional info
12-04-20, 06:32 AM
#12
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Calling cudak888 !!!!
Many years ago, maybe even a decade plus, IIRC, Kurt had a pair of chromed Women's Varsities, which again, IIRC, no one had seen before. My feeble
aging memory fails me for any other details.
Many years ago, maybe even a decade plus, IIRC, Kurt had a pair of chromed Women's Varsities, which again, IIRC, no one had seen before. My feeble
aging memory fails me for any other details.
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Enjoying the GA coast all year long!
Thanks for visiting my website: www.freewheelspa.com
