Follow the Yellow Tricked Road Bike

Alright!  It's done.  Finished the matching bar wrap and tightened everything up just last week and dropped it off to Andy A. in Chicago.  This was a fun restore and conversion project on a beautiful Bianchi frame.  I thought the gold accents would look good but it really exceeded my expectations and makes a striking compliment to the Celeste green.

The bike is running a 46t/17t gear ratio and those are Velocity Deep Vs 700/23 size wheels.

Happy Training Andy!

Bianchi Single Speed Rebuild

Welcome back to Shin Schwinn!  It's been a while because we've moved! The ShSch shop is now located in Batavia, Il!  I'm still working on getting the shop set up just right but for now it's at least up and running!

The first job in the new shop: An 80's Bianchi road bike in their signature Celeste Green color.

This is a restore and rebuild project for my friend Andy A. who is looking to make this a winter single speed.

This bike was obviously well used and is in serious need of a tune up.

Let's strip it naked!

This is the head set laid out.  The bearings are completely seized.

The rear derailleur is totally shot.  Several teeth are broken from the cogs but it's a good thing we're turning this into a single speed so we won't need to worry about this part.

Cleaned Bottom Bracket

Tip#4 When installing cable housings, use a fine tipped applicator and add a few drops of lubricant into the opening.  Preferably the end that the cable will enter through.  This will help keep the cable nice and slick improving performance and longevity.

Hoses are secured down and ready for bar wrapping.

Tip #5 Use bungee cords to secure the fork in place while you work.  This third hand helps when working on the brake levers and cables and prevents the handlebar from crashing into the top tube.

Here's the bike with all the components installed including a new GOLD crank that will match the GOLD Velocity Deep V wheelset that I ordered for this custom build.  There's a lot of Celeste bikes with common color combos but this Gold accent is going to be really unique.

BTW...please excuse my dungeon workshop, the previous owner left a mess in the basement.  But hopefully this summer, we'll get this cleaned up!

1970's Raleigh Sprite Custom

 I've been thinking a lot about what bike I should have as my do-it-all bicycle and I looked into Raleigh and found this Sprite which I absolutely love.  I wanted a nice sized touring frame, 5 speed with strength to support a cargo box and pull a child carrier while not weighing a ton.  Sorry Schwinn...your all-steel frames are beautiful and indestructible but they are WAY to heavy when fully equiped.

Chain guard was in pretty good shape.  I canabalized a gyro unit and lights from a Schwinn Varsity.

Love the green powered lighting!

Woven cable housings from Velo Orange!

No old man bike is complete without a cup holder and "Bing-Bong" bell.

Don't mind the handlebar grips...I'm working on some custom leather ones to match my brown Gyes spring seat

Velo Orange hammered fender set...Ultra Cool.

I found this old wine box that was just the right size and light weight.  I added a U-lock holster and bored holes for a cargo net.  I'm find the time this summer to stain the wood and mark it with the "Shin Schwinn" Logo.

Gyes is a nice alternative to Brooks at half the price of similar models.  I have yet to see that the Brooks brand is better in any way.  As long as you give the leather proper care, it should be just as comfortable and long lasting.

 One final shot of my Super Custom English Cruiser.  It's a VERY smooth ride with a big low gear.  I did have to swap out the original brakes for Wienmanns so it could handle the extra weight and add a stabalizer spring to the front wheel. (It's that funny looking black contraption under the bottom tube in case you were wondering)  Along with the center stand, this bike is as stable as you're going to get!

Happy Riding!