1971 Schwinn Varsity | Full Restoration

[@thisoldbelair]

Nicely done. Just got a couple incomplete Suburban’s. They number 5 and 6 for me. This winter I’ll start building one of them. Love doing restorations on vintage bikes. Very rewarding

[@conssido356]

A 50-year-old bike has started to look like new! Very beautiful bike!

[@retro_rev]

Thanks!

[@brianchisnell1548]

Just did a '71 Super Sport and a '71 Sports Tourer. New stainless spokes also. Both Sierra Brown. Beautiful old bikes.

[@Bill23799]

Oh wow, my sister had an orange 71 Schwinn Varsity. I had a 71 Schwinn Continental. One thing I remember most was how much heavier her Varsity was compared to my Continental.

[@retro_rev]

Sick

[@suealdridge4735]

Anh hát bằng cả trái tim bảo sao mà cứ ngọt lịm như vậy. Bài nào cũng cảm xúc luôn

[@alexeych7407]

The guy is a great fellow! Everything was done very carefully, scrupulously and competently. And most importantly, he film it correctly and on time! Hands and head in right place. And I like this magical remedy that removes rust from chrome parts (is it acid-based? And the guy doesn’t use gloves), I haven’t seen anything like it here in Russia (send me a bucket !!!!). And of course the hellish work of cleaning, polishing, and so on, which was left behind the scenes, fully killed hands and so on. And guess what, Schwinn still makes those stupid heavy cranks for simple bikes !!! )))) Definitely like!

[@retro_rev]

Thanks so much! For the chrome I just used Aluminum foil and water, then that wax. For corroded aluminum I used the CLR and foil and then sanded it. The Metal Rescue which I used for the parts is 100% biodegradable! Yes about 95% of the work is off camera, and the new Schwinns don’t have those cranks. The new ones are a Chinese off brand. The 1 piece ones are a lot easier to install, Sadly they don’t roll amazing due to those huge bearings.

[@teatonaz]

Found the long version,… this was GREAT !!! What do you means “sadly they don’t roll amazing due to those huge bearings” ? Do you mean they designed the bearings in the crank too large to roll smoothly ? (Thx)

[@JustinDoesTriathlon]

This is great work, really well done. I'm just about finished with a rework of my '71 Suburban; the bikes are cousins!

[@Longistheroad]

Hello, beautiful work.👌

[@retro_rev]

Thanks!

[@Bill23799]

Rebuilding bikes was a hobby of mine when I was a young teen in the early 70's. We did not have all the choices people have today for rust removal. I asked a car mechanic what he used to remove rust on the chrome of cars he worked on. He said the best thing to remove rust was " Navel Jelly ". I found out he was right but I could only get a small amount of Jelly from my Navel. You know you have a great girlfriend when she will let you use a Q-Tip to harvest her Navel Jelly.

[@retro_rev]

Nice! I’ve tried that stuff before I like aluminium foil a lot better

[@keithskustoms2311]

Always pack the bearings with grease before you install them, I noticed you put them in dry.

[@VirtualBikeKitchen]

Thanks for sharing

[@EdgardoBenitezchavez-x3o]

Un excelente trabajo , yo tengo una bici lo que es marca CONDOR modelo sarina creo que del año 83 ,está completa original ,es casi igual a esa schwinn

[@dm7646]

I noticed the rear derailleur cogs have no teeth and you used a modern chain with no apparent shifting issues. Did you need to use a special chain or just a typical SRAM or KMC chain for 5-7 speed?

[@retro_rev]

Yea any typical 5-7 speed chain will work

[@kmemz]

I picked up an almost identical bike, same frame and fork, without the mudguards or rack, as well as a different seat and handlebar type. Do you think it could fit 27.5" wheels? I'd restore the original wheels, but the tires are rotten, the stems on the tubes are chewed up, and I doubt 27" can be had easily anymore. Your restoration looks great, by the way. I've never thought of using aluminum foil as a rust abrasive, will have to give that a shot once I finish some of my other bike projects and get to proper work on the Varsity

[@retro_rev]

Glad you enjoyed the video! Yes a few companies still make 27” tires. There are some Kenda gumwalls that are pretty cheap. Good luck on your resto!

[@enyaisrave2831]

♡

[@theejoeylee]

I have a blue continental low entry, probably a 72-74. any idea what its worth restored?

[@retro_rev]

Nice bike! In restored condition prolly $175-250

[@theejoeylee]

@@retro_rev nice!

[@Azav312]

Are you using aluminum foil/ water to buff the metal to a shine?

[@retro_rev]

Yes I used that and wax

[@Azav312]

@@retro_rev any particular brand? I am very interested in treating my bike chrome to the same treatment. Thank you

[@retro_rev]

I used Quick-Glo wax but any chrome wax like Mothers should work great

[@Azav312]

@@retro_rev thank you.