sd5782 

I recently tore apart and did much mechanical rehab on my 73 SS. I have posted before, most recently about a chainring upgrade on the Ashtabula crank. Another repair was to correct bearing troubles in the steering head. Previously I also corrected a very bad bearing problem on an old Raleigh 3 speed. I can say that an old bike really comes back to life with the steering sorted out.

l was quite surprised how sporty the old SS felt now. Searching here showed frame angles somewhere between 72 and 73 degrees. I was swapping some Brooks saddles around on a few bikes, and therefore had an impromptu comparison. I rode the old SS first with the cheap Kendas and was really pleased with how lively it was, but still steady and stable. The frame was just so so over the uneven pavement where I live.

Fast forward 10 years to a full 531 framed 83 Trek 700 sports tourer. I know, tires, air pressure, etc. The Trek rode on Panaracers and rode wonderfully, especially over the uneven pavement. It turned nicely and was smooth and stable too. Surprisingly, the old SS seemed a bit sportier handling. Maybe even a bit more fun. Of course with the lighter newer bike with higher spec components, I could easily average a faster time.

For some casual riding in the flatland suburbs, the old SS is not so dated as it may seem, especially with my updated gearing. Blasphemy spoken too in the the well adjusted turkeyfoot brake levers are quite handy to use on casual suburban rides. Nice to finally update this old friend.

bikemig 

Looking forward to seeing the pics.

Darth Lefty 

When I briefly had a Super Sport, I ran it on the wheels from my Paramount. It was like a dang juggernaut. It didn’t whip or flex or “plane” or anything but once it was going it felt like nothing could stop it. All of the Varsity style features that made it an everyday bike worked great. I liked it a lot.

sd5782 

Nothing too special, just an old Supersport. Getting more into this hobby in the last few years showed the neglect by me of this old bike. Lots of cleaning done. New cables and rear derailleur and the previously mentioned gearing. Also added a new/used brooks B15. Riding condition now but needs some touchup paint and perhaps a tire upgrade too.





Suntour VXs RD, 14-28 six speed freewheel and 34-46 front rings

BFisher

They do ride nice. Mine was very stable, very smooth.

bikemig 

Great looking bike. I like turkey levers as well and use them on my Sekine SHS 271; they came stock on the bike. They're good for around town riding as long as you keep them adjusted.

Alexbaker67

That's a beautifully set up and refined Super Sport... I wears it's updated originality very nicely!

juvela

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Thanks so much for posting.

Has been fun to follow along with the changes.

Excellent example of making alterations to accommodate one's requirements.

Wondering where on earth you found those ProAce pedals with the 1/2" thread needed for the Ashtabulas...


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sd5782 

I wondered if anyone would notice those pedals. They actually came on a 72 SS that I acquired in about 1980, so someone else actually found them. That bike is pretty stock and in much better condition than my 73. I am putting it back stock for my son. For 40 years I rode the old atoms on mine that my dad welded so as not to have the play in them.

Recently learning just a bit more about things bicycle, I researched those and found them to be quality. I didn’t see any in my searching mentioned as 1/2” however. They do need a good cleaning, but they spin nice. I don’t wear bike shoes, so I may grind down the little nubbin on the front inner top part to make that spot flat. Hope that doesn’t offend too many people. Good eye.

67tony 

You probably know that these are cool and rare filet-brazed frames, described by Sheldon Brown here.

Mine was a '72, refitted with Suntour Sprint throughout, and sold to a guy from Chicago. It rode and shifted marvelously, and I hated to see it go. There are quite a few really nice Super Sports in this forum, a search will turn them up. I especially remember Pastor Bob's excellent example.

sced

In the summer of 1973 before starting my senior year in HS I'd sold my bike to order another which was late arriving. At the end of the summer I was able to borrow a light blue Supersport to bike tour a week through the back roads of central VA with 4 of my best buddies. We had a truly wonderful time with several inspiring moments that I've shared with my wife and kids over the years. Thanks for taking me back with pics of the light blue beauty!

ollo_ollo

Here are pics of my 2 SS: 1966 and 1971, got both for the 2016 BF $100/100Km Clunker Challenge. 1st is the 66 on July 4th 2016 in full Clunker trim, then the 66 as modified Spring of 2017 after the $100 ceiling was past. last is the 1971 as it looked when I gave it to a teen in our church who had outgrown his old bike. He is now too tall for the SS but still rides it.

1966 SuperSport Clunker Challenge bike+ my son on his Zeus

1966 SuperSport as modified after Challenge

1971 SuperSport

67tony 

1972 Super Sport, Tiagra, that I had powder coated. I'm sure some of you will gag at the cockpit...but it was what my lanky, younger, son-in-law wanted, about 8 years ago.

dddd

I've got two of the 1971 SS's, a green one and this one that I came across a photo of today.

These maybe feel a little slow to accelerate, but can handle all the power I can put out without feeling flexy. Handling is neutral, angles being 73 degrees.

As I've put miles on mine, I eventually had to Loctite the crown race onto the steerer to eliminate play.

I found 1/2" clipless pedals so use those.

Fun thing about these bikes is that they look so much like a Continental or Varsity, yet perform in a far more sporting fashion.

sd5782 

The slow to accelerate problem was relieved a fair bit on mine with the crank spider upgrade. That took out over a pound of rotating weight at the sprocket and maybe a pound and a half compared to sprocket and pant protector shield. Fast accelerating no, but way improved and quite enjoyable. The respectable driveline complements the handling now.

Funny you mention the head bearings. Mine were in need of a new upper cone so they must have loosened at one time too. I will have to pay a bit of attention. On another note, on such a durable bike, it was strange that Schwinn specked such terrible stock pedals as the original Atoms.

BluePx10

I commuted for four or five years on a Super Sport. Wish I still had it. To second the other comments here, a well designed and nice riding bike. But it takes a really strong rider to make it come alive. Usually it wasn’t until midseason that I could make that bike jump. Made me appreciate the skill and knowledge that went into making those old Schwinns.

bikemike73 

I have several of these bikes and love them !!!

Sturdy and steady !!!

I could not afford one in HS and rode a Continental. Only ONE person in our group had the SS.

GREAT BIKES !!!!!!

The cro-mo frame makes a BIG difference

I ride a Sports Tourer mostly now. I didn't even know they existed back in the day.

Lighter with the 3 pc crank!!!!!

TenGrainBread 

I had a Sports Tourer for a while and it was definitely an awesome-handling bike.

dddd

Also, with respect to the bike's handling and fit, these Supersports have frame angles that are a whopping three degrees steeper than on the Varsinentals!

This affects fit greatly, as the Varsinental's slackened seattube angle pulls a good 2-3cm out of the toptube's effective reach.
Compounding this, the Varsinentals don't handle right with much longer stems than 9 or 10cm, especially when pedaling while off of the saddle.

I wouldn't object too loudly if someone put Continental decals over a Supersport's paint, quite the sleeper it would be!

top506

The Cadillic of bicycles:





Top

Jeff Wills

Hole-y crankset, Batman!

67tony 

Definitely wins the "quote of the thread" award!