I thought I had it correct
#1
I thought I had it correct
I have been try for some time to get my '76 Schwinn Superior in stock original condtions. Well, it turns out I've still got a ways to go. If the first picture of the crank, pedals and pedal arms of a 1976 Schwinn Superior is correct then the same on my '76 Superior is not correct (second Picture). I know the pedals are correct but the rest of it I don't think so.
#2
Senior Member
Look on the internet for some old Schwinn catalogs. I know some are out there, and links have been posted in the Forums before. The catalogs might help you compare your bike to the "original" setup.
#3
Senior Member
One thing you should also consider is the Superior was a low production relatively expensive bike. With that in mind I wouldn't be surprised to see that Schwinn had used several different brands of cranks during the production year. They bought fewer build parts to put these bikes together and when they ran out of one kind they went to the lowest bidder. They probably built 5000 Varsities a week and maybe 20 Superiors. It wouldn't make sense for Schwinn have invested in a large inventory of parts for them. In Schwinn's literature on the bike that is said is the crank is "three piece alloy" and I suspect the above is the reason why. Limited production bikes often have equipment/parts changes during a given year. Good luck on your restoration but I wouldn't get to hung up on things like this. Roger
#4
Senior Member
I am quite certain that the top picture shows the correct cranks that came on that model bike. I believe that they are Stronglite cranks. The bottom picture shows an SR crank that I have never seen on a Superior. However, as stated above, both Raleigh and Schwinn did substitute parts as they were available.
#6
Senior Member
Yes many companies in the 1960s/70s motto was get it out of the plant ASAP. This was true of both bicycles and automobiles. It was use what you had and substitute if necessary but don't stop the assembly line. My friend had a Ford Maverick he bought new with a dash from a Mercury Comet in it because they were produced on the same assembly line and they ran out of Maverick dashes. Roger
Last edited by rhenning; 09-26-08 at 05:42 PM.
#7
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Makes sense, my '76 Moto, which is supposed to have QRs front and rear, only has it on the rear.
Also, the date codes on the hubs makes the front a '74 and the rear a '76, I'm just glad they used the "M" branded nuts on it.
I love those high flange hubs.
Also, the date codes on the hubs makes the front a '74 and the rear a '76, I'm just glad they used the "M" branded nuts on it.
I love those high flange hubs.
#8
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#10
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I once saw a car at a Dodge dealership that was finished out as a Dodge Aspen on one side and as a Plymouth Duster on the other side.
#11
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While it is true that Schwinn (and most other manufacturers) did occasionally substitute parts, especially during the boom years in the '70s, it's exceedingly unlikely that they would ever have put that low end SR crank with the stamped steel chainrings on a Superior. They had plenty of other better quality cranks available that they could have used if they ran low on the 'standard' Nervar. I worked at a very large Schwinn dealership in the mid '70s and I never saw that particular SR crank on any Schwinn. And I never saw anything on a Superior except the Nervar.
#12
While it is true that Schwinn (and most other manufacturers) did occasionally substitute parts, especially during the boom years in the '70s, it's exceedingly unlikely that they would ever have put that low end SR crank with the stamped steel chainrings on a Superior. They had plenty of other better quality cranks available that they could have used if they ran low on the 'standard' Nervar. I worked at a very large Schwinn dealership in the mid '70s and I never saw that particular SR crank on any Schwinn. And I never saw anything on a Superior except the Nervar.
#13
Insane Bicycle Mechanic
While it is true that Schwinn (and most other manufacturers) did occasionally substitute parts, especially during the boom years in the '70s, it's exceedingly unlikely that they would ever have put that low end SR crank with the stamped steel chainrings on a Superior. They had plenty of other better quality cranks available that they could have used if they ran low on the 'standard' Nervar. I worked at a very large Schwinn dealership in the mid '70s and I never saw that particular SR crank on any Schwinn. And I never saw anything on a Superior except the Nervar.
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Jeff Wills
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Jeff Wills
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