Schwinn Traveler - In Rust We Trust

Sometimes you just have to spend money on something, whatever the possible outcome.
I decided to go with a mate to a bike sale to look for a frame or bike to convert for my tourer project. There were a few classics to choose from, mostly in 60cm frames for some reason. Then i spied a Schwinn, which appeared in a fairly good state, despite being a good 25-27 years old.

until i cleaned it and found this......... can it be fixed? Or have i just bought a load of scrap metal?

Ziptie should sort it.

Ziptie should sort it.

i was thinking more along the brazing or welding option.

Not as good as zipties but I guess it could work. Talk to Ryan of oak cycles.

The bars look nice without the sponge, there are so many interesting features on this bike ( frame issues aside ) such as the quick release brakes, kickstand attachment, gear shifters on the stem etc. That is why i hope to get the seatstay repaired and then refurbish the mechanics of the bike. The brakes seem okay, the rear mech/derrailer is a little off ad the front mech needs adjusting. The other worry is a rattly BB. There must be something missing or boken inside as the cranks wobble when moved. I suppose i should take the whole thing apart to investigate. If a brazing/respray job is imminent then i guess stripping the whole bike is a must anyway. If anyone has any Schwinn parts they want to sell me i'm all ears.
Pedals of that era would be nice, and some panniers/racks to fulfill my '80s Tourer ideas.

The stamp on the badge indicates this bike was built on the 86th day of 1985, according to a web search i made.

Plenty of clearance for guards and knobbly tyres. The diacompe brakes are in good nick.

Apparently they started using this type of frame in the mid to late 80's. Apart form the dodgy welding on the stay it's done well.

Good to know!

I love these quick release lock things, never seen them before.

Also like the Suntour shifter position too.

You don't see Sugino components much these days, do you?

Not as good as zipties but I guess it could work. Talk to Ryan of oak cycles.

I saw the thread on his work, looks great. Not really local to me though, and as i'm car-less at present i need something near to Cambridge. Good to see in that thread that a broken seatstay is not the end of a frame's life.

This is as far as i can strip the bike until i get a larger spanner for the headset and an appropriate crank puller, my one doesn't fit.

Monster dropouts!

Bits and bobs (minus saddle and pedals). All looks in a fair condition, although the seatpost looks a bit handmade or altered in some way. The inner chainring might be a replacement but the outer one is a sugino. Gear mechs look okay, need a clean. Love the diacompe brakes, going to give them a good clean and polish.

http://bikecatalogs.org/SCHWINN/1985/LightWeight/Traveler.html

This is how it would have looked back in the day.

So, i buffed up the drops and brake levers with a combination of wet aluminium foil! and some light scouring followed by lashings of Brasso. They have come up well, the scratches are all part of the character. Sorry the picture isn't too representative, when i have done all the other chrome bits i'll take a pic with my camera, not my phone.

The wheels are the originals as far as i can tell. I reckon they will need a pro to give them an overhaul/ recommend chucking out. I am planning on getting some decent touring tyres with plenty of grip and low rolling resistance.

I had another go with my crank puller and with a little more effort it actually worked! Then i managed to get the bottom bracket out fairly easily. It looked well used, after a clean up i reckon it could be alright to use. But it has a plastic sheath round it, for waterproofing, that has seen better days and will have to go. I'll have a look round at similar BB that might be an improvement, especially as i plan to do long trips on this bike.
Also, i had a reply from Ryan at Oak Cycles about repairing the seat stay. Sent him a pic, now awaiting a quote.
While giving the cranks and other bits a clean and polish i am realising that certain parts may not be as useable as i originally thought. The cranks and chainrings are fine and the gear mechs look serviceable, but the spring on one of the brakes has had it, also some of the fittings on the brakes are beginning to perish.
Once the frame is repaired and re-sprayed i will re-assess what components to keep and what to replace, this is not really a restoration project.

Just found this on the VeloSolo website, i reckon it might be worth getting as a replacement for my slightly used one. Not sure where to get another waterproof plastic thing though.

Thing is, my BB has bolts holding the cranks on, not nuts, so i'm not sure this would work.

If it's the right size and taping it'll work.

More like this style, from Tokyo Fixed. Although this is the Sugino 75, it looks more like my BB than the one previously pictured. Slight price difference, as this goes for about £87.

^Also it's for single speed track bikes as far as i can tell.

If it's the right size and taping it'll work.

Yeah, you're probably right. I'll do some measuring.

Looks nice, good luck with the repair!

SJS cycles, have a look there for your bottom bracket spares. The plastic sleeve you're after is a £5.

Looks nice, good luck with the repair!

Cheers. Once the frame is done i'll be happy.

SJS cycles, have a look there for your bottom bracket spares. The plastic sleeve you're after is a £5.

Thanks, i'll have a look. I'll post a pic of my BB to show what a 27 year old one looks like.

Just had a brainwave, i work in operating theatres. Anaesthetic airway tubing is pretty much the same as the plastic sheath, it's concertina like too, so will stretch or compress as needed. Mmm, next time we are about to chuck an old one out i'll snip off a section and try it out.