phlatlander
07-30-2008, 11:49 AM
So I needed a more suitable bike to haul provisions while riding the Katy Trail w/Mimbresman, 50Mission, Vladimir & Rockhound as posted here (http://www.dirtragmag.com/forums/showthread.php?t=17381)...
Quick summary— I started to restore an old Concord Pacer that I had rescued from the curb on bulk trash day but it needed a few parts upgraded so I found the crankset I needed attached to this bike on craigslist for $35:
24830
Upon further inspection of the serial code I found it was an 80s Schwinn Traveler (mid level quality) & having less and less time in my schedule to tinker w/this project, I realized that this $35 was a more solid bike so I scrapped the Concord resto.
I had great plans for this Schwinn — a complete sandblast or chemical peel — maybe work a deal w/a local powdercoater even. Never got the time so three days out from our embarking on this trip I decide I don't want to see it orange anymore so at 8pm last evening I begin the teardown.
24832
I took the parts out & kept garage-floor-inventory the best I could, then suited up to go out back to the crabgrass patch and apply paint stripper to the fork for starters. Brushed it on and waited the recommended 5-8 minutes. Then it started to pour down rain. Rushed to pick stuff up and bumped the brush or the fork to my wrist and felt the singeing sensation. :eek: I had the garden hose on ready to go so a quick douse took care of the pain before I could see subcutaneous tissue. Big mess.
So I scrap the idea of stripping the orange paint and just take a quick fine grit over the frame followed by 000 steel wool and a quick mineral spirit bath.
24836
While drying I inspect the BB bearings and the drive side bearing race was all warped inside. Luckily I had some from the Concord so I repacked w/Slick50 grease and it should work... should...
24834
...a fine coat or 3 of primer...then some metallic sage green/silver & start putting her back together before the paint is really dry. I left all the cables routed so it was a trick to mask around but it was late (2am) and I didn't care. It'll get a full restoration & powdercoat done right when I have time but this will do for now: :cool:
24835
Natural cork tape, rear rack, chain & my Sacagawea headbadge get installed tonight. :) One more pic to come...
Quick summary— I started to restore an old Concord Pacer that I had rescued from the curb on bulk trash day but it needed a few parts upgraded so I found the crankset I needed attached to this bike on craigslist for $35:
24830
Upon further inspection of the serial code I found it was an 80s Schwinn Traveler (mid level quality) & having less and less time in my schedule to tinker w/this project, I realized that this $35 was a more solid bike so I scrapped the Concord resto.
I had great plans for this Schwinn — a complete sandblast or chemical peel — maybe work a deal w/a local powdercoater even. Never got the time so three days out from our embarking on this trip I decide I don't want to see it orange anymore so at 8pm last evening I begin the teardown.
24832
I took the parts out & kept garage-floor-inventory the best I could, then suited up to go out back to the crabgrass patch and apply paint stripper to the fork for starters. Brushed it on and waited the recommended 5-8 minutes. Then it started to pour down rain. Rushed to pick stuff up and bumped the brush or the fork to my wrist and felt the singeing sensation. :eek: I had the garden hose on ready to go so a quick douse took care of the pain before I could see subcutaneous tissue. Big mess.
So I scrap the idea of stripping the orange paint and just take a quick fine grit over the frame followed by 000 steel wool and a quick mineral spirit bath.
24836
While drying I inspect the BB bearings and the drive side bearing race was all warped inside. Luckily I had some from the Concord so I repacked w/Slick50 grease and it should work... should...
24834
...a fine coat or 3 of primer...then some metallic sage green/silver & start putting her back together before the paint is really dry. I left all the cables routed so it was a trick to mask around but it was late (2am) and I didn't care. It'll get a full restoration & powdercoat done right when I have time but this will do for now: :cool:
24835
Natural cork tape, rear rack, chain & my Sacagawea headbadge get installed tonight. :) One more pic to come...