TenGrainBread 

My special trick re: cleaning the roller cams was being the first one to open the bag These were new-old stock. I lubricated the bushings but didn't need to do any cleaning. I wouldn't hesitate to use some scotchbrite on the aluminum if it is oxidized, followed by some polishing compound such as Mothers.

You picked up a High Sierra at St. Vinny's? The one on Willy St? They usually only have crap there. I live right by there. Nice job!

madpogue 

Oh, that's cheating!! The aluminum's pretty good on mine, it's just those rollers that are tarnished.

There were two, actually, smoke-chrome '87s. identical except for size. Minor use wear; his &hers garage queens donated together. By the time we saw them, another couple had selected the smaller one and the wife was really smitten, so alas, they didn't get "adopted" together.

You'd be surprised what you find there, provided you get in line BEFORE 9:00. Some of the regulars there are real sleazy "vultures"; one guy hounded me to let him buy a bike I'd picked out, by offering to pay me. Sorry, but I'm not that petty. Wife and I actually assisted the couple that got the other High Sierra, told 'em about the value and the cool brakes, helped them set it up, made sure the stem and seatpost weren't stuck, etc. We were happy for them.

friday1970

Old thread, but good read. I picked up an 18" 1986 High Sierra a week and a half ago for $35. Trust me, it probably wasn't worth much more than that. Surface rust on stays, worn tires, etc... a perfect candidate for powder coat and a conversion. So far, I've stripped it down and now the powder coat shop has it. It's going to be repainted with a color similar to beige Jeeps and black components as part of a drop bar conversion. Here's a pic of the bike as purchased.

Hudson308 

madpogue 

^^^^^^^ That saddle....

mitchito

I just picked up a High Sierra the other day. Was thrown in a shed when almost new and now owner is tearing down the shed and I got the bike. The original tires have partially disintigrated but have no tread wear. Chain was rusted so I replaced it, same with cables. Lots of surface rust on fasteners, but that is what Evaporust is for. Unfortunately the frame is all scratched up from being thrown from place to place in the shed. It was free so I guess I did alright.

tmnguuyen 

Sorry to highjack this tread but I thought I may get quicker commentary by piggyback on an existing one....

Just picked this one up today. I've been intrigued by the the roller cam brakes and the funny fork. Paid $150 for it. All the ones i looked at are listed for over $250 and may be in worse shape than this one. This one is pretty original with the exception of the seat and seat post. Now, i have to go look for a seat post with quick release, I think the original seat had quick release. The black anodized rims are not too common on the High Sierras of this vintage. Chain ring matching the rims color is a nice touch. Not sure if this one is 1987 or 1988. I'll need to go look at the sn. My shoulder injury is preventing me on handling the bike a the moment. The Shimano group set was found on the 1988 Cimarron. I wonder if this one is a transition model between HS and Cimarron. What say you?

Thanks

C9H13N 

Yours looks a lot like mine, except I think mine had a silver outer Biopace chainring on the original crankset, FC-B124. I replaced that with a Deore MT60 crank to match the rest of the drivetrain (and because I hate Biopace). Neither of my rims are original so I have no idea what they looked like.

The bullmoose bar is also obviously not original, mine had the same gold/bronze looking stem that used to be black. My front hub is the same color.

These are the only good pictures I have handy. Mine has done great service as a utility bike, grocery getter, and baby hauler.

merziac

Nothing funny about the fork, lugged unibrow instead of plain generic ones that almost all were later.

Stronger, yes a bit heavier but way cooler for not being cool.

Korina

Pardon me for hijacking the hijack, but what are those gorgeous panniers?

C9H13N 

They are a special run of Ortlieb Back Rollers from several years ago. I think I got them on close out at Sierra Trading Post.

tmnguuyen 

After the purchase of that yellow High Sierra, i was wondering what's the difference between the Cimarron and the High Sierra. I found a Cimarron in my size on CL not too far from me. Someone please talk me out of it. I ran out of room but i have a habit of buying stuff in pairs. This Cimarron does not get me as exited as the High Sierra. The HS has that roller cam brakes, the unicrown ford and the high flange hub which i like. The Cimarron looks is not as exiting... Not sure if it has significant better performance than the HS.

https://losangeles.craigslist.org/sf...583330592.html


Thanks

merziac

DANGER WILL ROBINSON, $300!!!

These are fine but not at that $$$, run away IMO.

OTS 

@tmnguuyen
You definitely don't want to visit this thread.

Let's see your vintage Schwinn Cimarron

madpogue 

Component changes mid-model-year aren't unusual, so it's still a HS. That red CL Cimarron appears to have a headbadge date-code number of 1297, which translates to a build date of early May 1987 (last digit is the year, first three are the "ordinal" (1-365) day of the year). Look on your HS for a similar number, that will tell you the build date. If the build date is fairly late in the year (Sept or later, roughly), it's probably the next model year.
Cimmaron tax, similar to the Stumpy tax on Specializeds. Honestly, if I had a Cim to sell during high demand, say mid-spring, clean and ride-ready, I would price it at $300, and accept $240-250.

tmnguuyen 

You're helping..... but what's, in your book, the' can't walk away from' price for this example? or In Merziac vernacular 'run don't walk' pricing.

merziac

Uh, maybe $150, what do I know, maybe $100 run don't walk?

If they are selling for that $$$ then buy the Cim, swap parts around, HF hubs and whatever else then sell the other one back off, maybe?

Again, what do I know, sounds like @madpogue might have a better grasp than I.

C9H13N 

There’s a red Cimarron on Seattle CL listed for $340. Probably a little optimistic.

Also a stripped 23” yellow High Sierra frame like mine for $300 on eBay.