It's About Time - 1985 Schwinn Tempo Frameset
01-08-17, 08:36 PM
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It's About Time - 1985 Schwinn Tempo Frameset
The planets finally aligned because I finally have a frameset to build into a bike. I am the proud owner of a 1985 Schwinn Tempo frameset.
I plan on making the build with parts that I already have in order to save on cost. The frameset came with Shimano 600 friction downtube shifters. I have a long cage Light Action rear derailleur, 105SC front derailleur, RX 100 brake levers, Tektro dual pivot brakes, and a few other pieces. I will source the rest of the parts between now and the end of next month. I'd love to be riding this in March. It would be fun to show up at the spring charity rides going C&V.
I will continue this thread as I work on this project. What's next? Cleaning the bike and touch up painting scratches - gotta love black frames.
Dennis
I plan on making the build with parts that I already have in order to save on cost. The frameset came with Shimano 600 friction downtube shifters. I have a long cage Light Action rear derailleur, 105SC front derailleur, RX 100 brake levers, Tektro dual pivot brakes, and a few other pieces. I will source the rest of the parts between now and the end of next month. I'd love to be riding this in March. It would be fun to show up at the spring charity rides going C&V.
I will continue this thread as I work on this project. What's next? Cleaning the bike and touch up painting scratches - gotta love black frames.
Dennis
01-08-17, 08:40 PM
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That will make a really nice road bike when completed, I always liked those Tempo frames. I'm doing a bare frame build at the moment too, and going the same route - using decent parts I already have on hand and picking up the rest on eBay and CL. 
01-08-17, 08:42 PM
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01-08-17, 08:46 PM
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Tempo? It's definitely about time!
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● 1971 Grandis SL ● 1972 Lambert Grand Prix frankenbike ● 1972 Raleigh Super Course fixie ● 1973 Nishiki Semi-Pro ● 1979 Motobecane Grand Jubile ●1980 Apollo "Legnano" ● 1984 Peugeot Vagabond ● 1985 Shogun Prairie Breaker ● 1986 Merckx Super Corsa ● 1987 Schwinn Tempo ● 1988 Schwinn Voyageur ● 1989 Bottechia Team ADR replica ● 1990 Cannondale ST600 ● 1993 Technium RT600 ● 1996 Kona Lava Dome ●
● 1971 Grandis SL ● 1972 Lambert Grand Prix frankenbike ● 1972 Raleigh Super Course fixie ● 1973 Nishiki Semi-Pro ● 1979 Motobecane Grand Jubile ●1980 Apollo "Legnano" ● 1984 Peugeot Vagabond ● 1985 Shogun Prairie Breaker ● 1986 Merckx Super Corsa ● 1987 Schwinn Tempo ● 1988 Schwinn Voyageur ● 1989 Bottechia Team ADR replica ● 1990 Cannondale ST600 ● 1993 Technium RT600 ● 1996 Kona Lava Dome ●
01-08-17, 08:59 PM
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aka: Dr. Cannondale
Tempo = some of the best riding bikes out there and worth every penny you invest.
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01-09-17, 03:10 PM
#8
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Agreed, they are great frames. I keep on trying to change mine up all the time. Off the top of my head, I don't remember the paint colour for 85, is this the original coat?
01-09-17, 05:44 PM
#10
Death fork? Naaaah!!
Built one up this summer, an '89 with Tenax SL tubes. Rides a lot like a Centurion Ironman, which is a good thing. I'd love to know where mine was made, and by whom.
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You know it's going to be a good day when the stem and seatpost come right out.
(looking for a picture and not seeing it? Thank the Photobucket fiasco.PM me and I'll link it up.)
01-09-17, 06:42 PM
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Dennis
01-09-17, 10:17 PM
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Congrats on your first Tempo. I own a blue '85 and it's a joy to ride. Speedy yet comfortable.
As an '85, yours would have originally had the graphics package like the one pictured below (not my bike).
As an '85, yours would have originally had the graphics package like the one pictured below (not my bike).
01-09-17, 11:12 PM
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Congrats on the Tempo find! As a former '89 Tempo owner, these are great bikes and I/we think you will enjoy yours.
01-10-17, 09:33 AM
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05-09-17, 10:21 PM
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The build is done! I will post more pictures after some fitting and its shakedown ride.
Here's a teaser.
I deviated from my plan on keeping the bike outfitted with parts from its era. It became a resto-mod since I had more modern parts sitting around. I'll dive into that in more detail later in the thread.
Dennis
Here's a teaser.
I deviated from my plan on keeping the bike outfitted with parts from its era. It became a resto-mod since I had more modern parts sitting around. I'll dive into that in more detail later in the thread.
Dennis
05-10-17, 03:28 AM
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Looks great. I live in a rural area and have found that 28c tires make for a more stable ride. Like the stem you put on this.
05-10-17, 08:21 AM
#17
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Judging from the stem and seatpost, I'm guessing the frame may technically be a little small for you. I "up-sized" my Tempo as well and I really like the nimble response of the smaller frame.
05-10-17, 09:23 AM
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I love it when a plan comes together!
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Commence to jigglin’ huh?!?!
"But hey, always love to hear from opinionated amateurs." -says some guy to Mr. Marshall.
05-10-17, 04:26 PM
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The wind is blowing pretty good now, so I'll do a shakedown ride in my neighborhood this evening after the wind dies down some. The ride positioning felt good in the stand. I'll have a better idea tonight.
Dennis
05-10-17, 05:20 PM
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I don't know if you meant for it to be that way, or it was just serendipitous, but having the "tempo" script, and only the "tempo" script is sorta low key BA in a way. Really, all one needs to know is that it's a tempo, and those in the know can fill in the rest. I really liked the name logo's of that year, so low key cool.
05-10-17, 06:27 PM
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I don't know if you meant for it to be that way, or it was just serendipitous, but having the "tempo" script, and only the "tempo" script is sorta low key BA in a way. Really, all one needs to know is that it's a tempo, and those in the know can fill in the rest. I really liked the name logo's of that year, so low key cool.
Dennis
05-10-17, 10:20 PM
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I like the nearly un-decal'd look, too.
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Tom Reingold, tom@noglider.com
New York City and High Falls, NY
Blogs: The Experienced Cyclist; noglider's ride blog
“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments.” — Elizabeth West, US author
Please email me rather than PM'ing me. Thanks.
05-10-17, 10:34 PM
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As much as I love my Tempo, the name is the last thing I try to draw attention to. Growing up in the 80s, I can't help but stir up images of this when I hear Tempo.
