Retroman69

When I first bought this 1973 Super Sport it was 100% original but neglected for 45 years and needed help.
The original Brooks B17 saddle was toast, almost literally.
I threw a modern saddle on that I had laying around, but it didn’t do it justice.
She’s now back to “spec”.
cantvwait for it to stop raining so I can take the bike out for a break-in ride.

Retroman69

Previously....

3speedslow

Enjoy the miles!....

With a good cradle, a new leather can be mounted.

Bianchi84

That's a beautiful Schwinn; enjoy it! Those almost look like Schwinn Puff tires - what are they?
(Since I gave away my Fastback and Krate to my nephews I'm Schwinn-less. I feel, somehow..... empty. It may be time to start looking for something....)

Retroman69

Interesting idea, I’ll hang onto the old seat frame.

Retroman69

Thank you!
Those are Duro gumwall touring tires. Just generic tires of that type, but they have a cool retro touring tread pattern I liked!
https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?m...2F263403030308

PhotonDon

Nice SS! I fondly remember my '71 model. Dad had a Sports Tourer, and we did our first century on them. I still have the B15 saddle, too. Though still intact, I dare not put my 215 lbs on it!

Retroman69

Thank you!
That’s cool that you kept the saddle off the bike.... what color was yours? I love the Schwinn colors from this period.

PhotonDon

I don't remember the name of the color but it was a celeste-y green. Dad's Tourer was the same color. I was growing like a weed around that time and dad had another seat post welded to the top of the original so he wouldn't have to buy me a new bike every six months. No, I don't think I can ever get rid of the saddle. It'll always be hanging in a garage wherever I am. A constant reminder of us riding all around the foothills of North Alabama. Thanks, Dad!

Retroman69

Cool memories, it’s part of why I get more fun out of riding and wrenching on vintage bikes rather than new ones.
Your color was probably Campus Green.

Reynolds 531 

1. My guess is Opaque Blue. Very popular, and Celeste Green has a lot of blue in it.

cqlink 

Not opaque blue. Schwinn did have that opaque/ light green paint for those bikes around that time that looked close to the Bianchi Celeste color.

Lol. Give this five min. and someone will have the answer.

ryansu

Nicely done! one of my first refurbs was a mid 70 Schwinn Varsity and when the middle aged lady I sold it too came back from her test ride she had a huge smile on told me "that was like being 13 again"

cqlink 

I think it's called Opaque Green..

Retroman69

Interesting! That color wasn’t listed in the 1971 catalogs. But I wonder if it was available through special order or something?

Retroman69

Okay, a FINAL, final touch.....

francophile 

Great job on this! I saw the original condition on the bar tape thread.

That said, don't even think about tossing that Brooks saddle! @rhm does a fabulous job of re-leathering saddles. If you don't want to toss the coin at that, I'm sure he'd be interested in taking the carcass maybe for a future project?

Here's a sample of what he's capable of, they ride as good as they look!: https://www.bikeforums.net/classic-v...-restores.html

TiHabanero

In 1975 I bought a opaque red Super Sport, however it came with the B15N saddle on it. Was the B17 the stock saddle and I never knew it?

Retroman69

Thank you!
Actually the bike on the bar tape thread is a different project, an earlier ‘67 model SS.

I definitely won’t toss the old saddle, it may well find use with someone.
Nice restoration jobs on the other thread, thanks for the link!
The original (as found) condition of this SS is the last photo in the original post above (just below the closeup of the dried out saddle). It looked worse in person, all the components caked in dirt and dried grease, the original tires melted to the rims, the paint badly oxidized and the pedals frozen solid.
But there was little rust and almost no wear on the derailleurs, tire treads, tape, or brake pads.
I would guess this SS was only ridden a few times when new and just put in storage until I got my grubby hands on it!

francophile 

Ouf! Sorry, I don't speak Schwinn (but I suspect the '67 could be just as pristine and original after a clean-up)

Yikes, the other SS was blue too! Man!

Retroman69

On the ‘75 catalog, it says that a “Brooks Professional” saddle was optional on the higher end road bikes, but doesn’t specify the model. The period photos show what looks like a Brooks, but not a B17 from what I can tell.
So your B15 might still be correct for ‘75.

Retroman69

No prob!
The blue ‘67 cleaned up pretty nicely as well, but has a lot more wear on it and a handful of finish scars, and it had been converted to a cruiser. I’m putting her back as close to original as possible with a few minor liberties!

pastorbobnlnh 

I've had several Super Sports and Sports Tourers in my fleet over the years, plus several more in the shop to assist with restorations, and all were equipped with the standard Brooks B15 of the late '60s to mid '70s era. For the most part they were a dark brown, almost black, but not quite black to a medium brown. The B15N saddles from that era were also dark brown. The B15Ns were more often seen on Raleighs and other European brand bikes.

This is a side by side comparison of B15 and B15N, both from the early '70s (better lighting would help reveal the brown verses black).



The original B15 had remarkably thicker leather than a modern B17. They were very sturdy and thus heavier than a Professional of the same era. The B15 was a natural choice for Schwinn, which at the time, wanted its bikes to be very durable and to stand up to whatever punishment a rider could deliver.

Brooks continues to make the B15, albeit in a version also known as the Swallow, which is a very different saddle.

irideiam

Vary nice ride!!

himespau 

Super cool