1974 Schwinn Varsity - Mint
 

I know it's not a special bike, but look at this thing. Still has the brochure hanging off the bike. Seller says it was stored in AZ 40+ years. He's asking $225

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Not my cup of tea, but at $225 I am surprised this hasn't sold immediately. In my area this is sold instantly at $200 cash for someone's wife to use on Sunday and pub crawls. Sheesh even good photos the bike in this condition are probably worth $225 to the right Schwinn collector! :thumb:

While it looks very nice, I'd wager it will take some labor to go through the headset and bottom bracket bearings. From what I understand, these old Schwinns were supposed to have these bearings serviced at the dealer before sale but were rarely done. I didn't believe that when I heard it but I have taken two old Schwinns apart that indicate this is true. One was barely greased and the other had Cosmoline in the bearings. Even if the bearings were done right, it would still be a good idea to have them gone through so figure the labor costs into this if you can't do that work yourself. I'd think it will need new tires as well so look at another $50 or $60 dollars minimum.

It does look like a nice bike though and while initial asking prices in my area are often in this ballpark, they usually drop substantially before sale. But I could see in a larger market someone paying this for a bike in this condition especially if they had one like it when they were younger.

^ perhaps only as a nostalgic piece. They weren't that good back in 1974 relative to imports like the Fuji Special Road Racer or Peugeot A08.

If it’s something you want, where you gonna find another in that condition. Brings back memories of rows of those things on the local Schwinn dealer floor. Love the lemon yellow.
Tim

Thanks all. I would only consider as a collectable/wall art. I already have an old red Schwinn, and haven't got it ready yet so I'm not sure if a second would be needed, space-wise. It would be quite the color combo!


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Wow, it’s local for you, nice bike, but that Varsity is in way better shape!
Tim

Not my cup of tea also but in that shape for that price, yeah! Service the bearings, fresh rubber, put it into service!

I love that it still has the tag

Agree. I'm always amazed when I see bikes 30+ years old (in this case almost 50) in like-new condition. I just think it's cool :).

The price is indicative of the "NOS" condition. Otherwise not worth the asking price. Ladies bikes typically not worth as much as the mens version unless that's what you want. I am sure someone would pay that for a bike in that condition , just not my cup o'tea. It is cool to look at though , a lot of memories riding around Oxnard California on my root beer brown one (mens version) . Hell , I could jump off curbs on that thing and it survived! Very heavy bike but built like a tank.

I revived an old one. quietest bike I ever rode. & with 28mm armadillo commuting slicks, it had a luxurious ride. grew up with one as well & I'm a big guy so it was no sweat putting a cpl years on the later makeover unit. a bike is worth what a seller can get for it. I think I paid very little for the old used one. was fun having a red bike for a while
as my commuter in 2009

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it came with wide cruiser bars & a giant spring loaded triangle for a saddle. swapped in a taller stem & drop bars

These are our ‘71 Varsities. Granted they are heavy bikes but they ride very smoothly and are a joy to ride. We have a stable of very nice bikes but these still come out a few times a year.
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This is a candidate to purchase, find a men’s frame that has the same length headtube, it frame and fork, swap the parts.

ladies frames just don’t have the interest that men’s frames do. This one could be quite exceptional, I agree deserves a full service.

these Schwinn’s were suitable for riding off curbs with those double walled rims, then running over wayward brat children and stray dogs and keep on ticking. :)

wow, nice fenders! no chain guards?

It's a BUY at that price....varsities in lesser condition will sell to university students in the 75-125 range. As nice as it is I would swap the red one for the yellow any day of the week.
JMO, Ben