Is this a 1974 Schwinn Continental?
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Is this a 1974 Schwinn Continental?
I picked this up for the pedals, which I know may sound weird, but it has on it an exceptionally clean pair of 80’s KKT bear claws on it. I’m trying to figure out what model the bike is so I can get back out into the wilds of Portland. I think it is a Continental from 74 as it has center pull brakes, 10 speeds, quick release skewers and Araya red label 27” wheels. It has no labeling on it, just pinstriping. It looks like it may still have the original tires on it and if it has been ridden, I can’t tell.
serial number starts with DK.
serial number starts with DK.
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#2
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Looks like it's been repainted(?).
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I picked this up for the pedals, which I know may sound weird, but it has on it an exceptionally clean pair of 80’s KKT bear claws on it. I’m trying to figure out what model the bike is so I can get back out into the wilds of Portland. I think it is a Continental from 74 as it has center pull brakes, 10 speeds, quick release skewers and Araya red label 27” wheels. It has no labeling on it, just pinstriping. It looks like it may still have the original tires on it and if it has been ridden, I can’t tell.
serial number starts with DK.
serial number starts with DK.
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If it were mine, I would add toeclips and convert from TwinStik to barcon shifters. The tubular fork is the other giveaway that it is a Continental, rather than a Varsity.
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Capo: 1959 Modell Campagnolo, S/N 40324; 1960 Sieger (2), S/N 42624, 42597
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"Far and away the best prize that life offers is the chance to work hard at work worth doing." --Theodore Roosevelt
Capo: 1959 Modell Campagnolo, S/N 40324; 1960 Sieger (2), S/N 42624, 42597
Carlton: 1962 Franco Suisse, S/N K7911
Peugeot: 1970 UO-8, S/N 0010468
Bianchi: 1982 Campione d'Italia, S/N 1.M9914
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I picked this up for the pedals, which I know may sound weird, but it has on it an exceptionally clean pair of 80’s KKT bear claws on it. I’m trying to figure out what model the bike is so I can get back out into the wilds of Portland. I think it is a Continental from 74 as it has center pull brakes, 10 speeds, quick release skewers and Araya red label 27” wheels. It has no labeling on it, just pinstriping. It looks like it may still have the original tires on it and if it has been ridden, I can’t tell.
serial number starts with DK.
serial number starts with DK.
If it's a continental, it's a electroforged steel frame with an upgraded fork which yours appears to have.
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A Continental would have had different pedals. The red cage is a nice touch.
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#7
Not so New
The pedal looks like a KKT Lightning, not a bear trap. I bought an 80s Traveler for those pedals and a Brooks Proffessional for a decent price.
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Araya rims on a '74 Schwinn? Doesn't sound original but I'm no expert
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The barrel adjusters on the levers were not on other early ‘70’s Continentals that I own or owned. Those range from ‘71-‘72, with maybe a ‘73 in there. I’d assumed they were from a super Sport or higher level Schwinn. If not an add-on. I do have them on an otherwise stock Schwinn repaint that I haven't yet figured out the year of production on, or the model. Iirc it’s older because 1/2” pedal.
Maybe someone knows whether or not they became standard on Continental by 73-74?
Maybe someone knows whether or not they became standard on Continental by 73-74?
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It isn't weird if it makes sense. I bought a bike for the caps because it was cheaper than I could have got the caps for on eBay.
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It's a Continental fer sure. The Super Sport has more pointed seat stay end and the rear brake braze ons are different. The Continental also did come with the adjuster barrels on the brake lever. 'Agree that Araya rims are not original. One of the previous owners that put them on did good. This is the best upgrade for Varsities and Continentals.
I like the paint job. It looks good in the pictures. This looks to be an excellent rider. Ride and enjoy. By the way, I kind of like the Twin Stik shifters, but I can understand swapping the shifters to suit what you like. One minor problem with the Twin Stik shifters is that the cable is difficult to find. The solution is to get a "sport" shift cable and file it down to fit.
Please get the wheels on it, take it for a spin and get some more pictures and an impression of what you thought about it.
I like the paint job. It looks good in the pictures. This looks to be an excellent rider. Ride and enjoy. By the way, I kind of like the Twin Stik shifters, but I can understand swapping the shifters to suit what you like. One minor problem with the Twin Stik shifters is that the cable is difficult to find. The solution is to get a "sport" shift cable and file it down to fit.
Please get the wheels on it, take it for a spin and get some more pictures and an impression of what you thought about it.
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Here's a web site to confirm your Schwinn date of manufacture : https://bikehistory.org/serial-number.html
They give you a nice little window of confirmation with a catalog picture like this one for my '75 Continental
I also like the Twin Stik levers, It's one of the unique traits of old Varsity's & Continental's and a few others....but I'm wierd as I also like the steel rims. The Conti will never be a performance bike, so I've only taken off the turkey levers and added a better seat, and hose clamped bottle cage. This thread inspired to get mine out for a Sunday ride
They give you a nice little window of confirmation with a catalog picture like this one for my '75 Continental
Last edited by Deal4Fuji; 01-08-23 at 12:47 PM.
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I agree that it's a Continental. The differences between a Varsity and a Continental were: centerpull brakes (with adjusters and QR's on the brake levers), tubular fork, QR front wheel, and aluminum stem. Otherwise they were identical. The Araya rims and KKT pedals are definitely non-stock.
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