vanttila

I picked this up for $30 for a friend through a FB post by the previous owner. How'd I do?
Looking at the cassettes and the rims (which I of course forgot to grab a pic of), it seems like it hasn't been ridden at all. And what about that funky orange on the brake levers?

Metacortex

It is missing the original Schwinn Approved "Comfort Form" saddle (made by Mesinger for Schwinn), but (assuming you want it to be original) those are pretty easy to find. The mattress saddle on there now is from an upright tourist handlebar bike like a Suburban. The rest of the bike however looks to be 100% original and is worth well more than $30 in parts alone, so I think you did very well! In particular the dealer installed Schwinn fenders are relatively hard to find for these. If you didn't want them you could probably sell the fenders alone for $50, making that a "free" bike. The Schwinn Approved "Super Sport" generator set also sells for up to $50 or more in good condition. The gold/orange anodized brake pull up bolt and quick-release lever were standard for the Schwinn Approved (made by Dia-Compe) brake levers around that time.

JanMM

My first bike as an Adult (ha!) was a blue '73 Conti. Got hooked on cycling on that bike. Rode it for three years - it tolerated my lack of maintenance pretty well. (But, haven't missed it for a minute since I moved on to other bikes.)
Orange anodizing on the brake lever quick release adds some flash.
Teeth on the cogs look unworn.

PatTheSlat 

Great score, it weighs about a million pounds but will last about a million years. I've had Contis with that saddle before, it's entirely possible it was swapped at the dealership when the bike was new. I'd re-wrap the last bit of that bar tape where it's unravelling, before it gets any worse. I'd also suggest getting some new brake pads on it (Dia Compe Grey Matter pads work great and are less than $10 shipped from Amazon), even if the old ones have material left they're sure to be hard as a rock.

vanttila

Many thanks for all your help and insight. It does, in fact, weigh a ton: precisely 44 lbs. The brake pads are miserable, thanks for the tip Pat. I had no idea about the fenders or the generator - I may just want to get rid of the latter; I feel like a proper LED light with Lipos may fit the intended usage better. Now with the bar tape, how big of a no-no is it to replace what's on there with something moderately soft and comfortable, like modern bar tape?
Oh, and it also had a Schwinn speedo/odometer on it (something like this: https://www.ebay.com/itm/VINTAGE-SCHW...-/151054305894 ), except it's unfortunately missing the part that goes into the front hub. Is that something worth trying to sell?

bikemig 

Gotta love a bike that will last more (years) than it weighs (pounds).

tarmusic

I bought a Continental new in 1974 (same color as yours). Still have it, and still ride it! My memory is that I paid @ $135 (in 1974 money) for it.

DMC707

Holy Smokes ! I had no idea these 'ol rigs weighed that much

More than a downhill bike --- (but im sure this one will roll downhill pretty capably too - of course stopping at the bottom may be exhilarating )


It does tickle that retro-kitsch funny bone though, looks like it could be a fun bike for casual tooling about

ramzilla

Like I've said a million times. When the planet explodes, those old Schwinn bikes will be floating around in the universe for eternity.

Daveysprockets1

You Scored !! That's a really nice bike man ! Clean and regrease the bearings....that thing will last forever

Mstull61

My mother had one of these. Very nice

branko_76 

How did you do? That can only be answered after you've completely torn it down to every bearing, removed all of the old dried up grease, lubed and reassembled it.

branko_76 

gideo8

So blue!