I just got an old Schwinn Varsity from an auction house/trade booth out in my area. I would use the original rims, but they're all bent and unusable. So I'm gonna get a flip-flop hub with a track and a freewheel. I'm completely restoring a lot of the bike too, but any suggestions on the conversion?
Sounds like your on the right path. Dont forget about the braking system. I just have the front brake on mine. It is okay stopping power, there have been some times during my commute when both front and rear would have been nice to have to stop my big butt ( not to mention the Varsity being a tank in itself) I used brake handles from a mid 60's Racer, only because I wanted to keep this bike all-Schwinn. Make it yours man! Post a vid of your progress~!
@JerryMopar well, with the track hub on the flip flop, I could stop just by back pedaling. I have nearly everything original except the seat and crankset. But I'm gonna make everything as close to original as possible.
Yep, original wheel/everything mack there/ The only thing I changed on the crankset was I removed the outer chainwheel, that's it. The bike cost me about $40 to build. (for the white cheng-shin tires) I got the bike for FREE after the floods in '08. It was pretty rough when I got it.
All I did was use the stock cassette since it is a free-wheel Some people will say it will skip using the OEM derailer freewheel, but it never has skippied on me AT ALL. I then just shortened the chain using a chain tool to hvae it so I can tension it up properly in the dropouts. I have put on about 2-300 miles on this bike since I made the video. It is rock solid reliable.
Hey craig, why do you say that? It was on the bike when I originally got it. It was a totally stock Varsity when I got it. Has Schwinn approved all over it???
cool, there is another fellow here in my town that converted his 27" road bike into a haul-all, I see him cruising around alot, seems to put alot of miles on the bike. I currently have the chain bopped down to the smallest sprocket. Chain line isnt as good as before, but i dont spin out when going at a faster clip!
I just got an old Schwinn Varsity from an auction house/trade booth out in my area. I would use the original rims, but they're all bent and unusable. So I'm gonna get a flip-flop hub with a track and a freewheel. I'm completely restoring a lot of the bike too, but any suggestions on the conversion?
FluffyMuffina 1 month ago
Sounds like your on the right path. Dont forget about the braking system. I just have the front brake on mine. It is okay stopping power, there have been some times during my commute when both front and rear would have been nice to have to stop my big butt ( not to mention the Varsity being a tank in itself) I used brake handles from a mid 60's Racer, only because I wanted to keep this bike all-Schwinn. Make it yours man! Post a vid of your progress~!
JerryMopar 1 month ago
@JerryMopar well, with the track hub on the flip flop, I could stop just by back pedaling. I have nearly everything original except the seat and crankset. But I'm gonna make everything as close to original as possible.
FluffyMuffina 1 month ago
okay so the back gears are the exact same as the original? and u just changed the crank set?? about ho much did this cost you??
baseball1264 1 month ago
Yep, original wheel/everything mack there/ The only thing I changed on the crankset was I removed the outer chainwheel, that's it. The bike cost me about $40 to build. (for the white cheng-shin tires) I got the bike for FREE after the floods in '08. It was pretty rough when I got it.
JerryMopar 1 month ago
did you pay for someone to rebuild the rear wheel to single speed? or did you do it your self? if so how did you make the rear wheel single speed?
xantbeezy123x 2 months ago
All I did was use the stock cassette since it is a free-wheel Some people will say it will skip using the OEM derailer freewheel, but it never has skippied on me AT ALL. I then just shortened the chain using a chain tool to hvae it so I can tension it up properly in the dropouts. I have put on about 2-300 miles on this bike since I made the video. It is rock solid reliable.
JerryMopar 1 month ago
Good job...im about to make a custom fixi on and old 72 speedster except im going to use titanium and carbon components to make it ultra light
CyberserveATX 6 months ago
Good job...im about to make a custom fixi on and old 72 speedster except im going to use titanium and carbon components to make it ultra light
CyberserveATX 6 months ago
love the handlebars and tires, like the frame and brake. Hate everything else...and the seat post looks bent.
taradead 6 months ago
The rear wheel is not the original
craig1974 6 months ago
Hey craig, why do you say that? It was on the bike when I originally got it. It was a totally stock Varsity when I got it. Has Schwinn approved all over it???
JerryMopar 6 months ago
used a more upright bar setup, and made a HAUL-ALL outta it. Then did the same idea (minus the baskets) to a red speedster.
MyTrx1 6 months ago
cool, there is another fellow here in my town that converted his 27" road bike into a haul-all, I see him cruising around alot, seems to put alot of miles on the bike. I currently have the chain bopped down to the smallest sprocket. Chain line isnt as good as before, but i dont spin out when going at a faster clip!
JerryMopar 6 months ago
nice idea, i did the same thing, but used a CB rear rim and the 39/17 gearing is PERFECT!
MyTrx1 6 months ago