Winding Down the Riding Season

 We're into the last week or so of the core riding season. Typically for me, the season "ends" when the clocks change during the first weekend in November. I may get a couple more rides in on warm weekend days, but my nightly rides after work finish up the last week in October or the first week in November. The clocks change early this year - November 2nd to 3rd. 

The start of this week was dry but cool. We're supposed to have some warmer weather (perhaps record warmth) later this week. 

 

I took out my 1964 Schwinn Traveler to start the week. I've been enjoying this bike more ever since I fiddled with the handlebar and saddle fit a little. It's a good, solid rider.

Pictures from a Warm Autumn Week...

 No complaints about the weather this week - very warm and very dry. I don't recall it ever being this dry in October. I've been riding every evening that I have some free time. This week, I've been out on the 1964 Schwinn Traveler and the 1970 Raleigh DL-1. The only downside of this weather is that the roads have become very dusty (see final photo with the DL-1 - that's a road dust cloud ahead).

Into the Second Half of October...

 It's hard to believe we're already into the second half of October. The riding season sure has gone by fast... The riding season here, at least for me, ends in early November usually. Once we go back to Standard Time, there's not enough daylight in the evenings to ride during the week. I'm confined at that point to occasional weekend rides, and that assumes the weather stays warm. Some years we have snow on the ground by the middle of November... (hopefully not though). 

I took my 1957 Schwinn Traveler for a ride last night. It's a nice contrast to the Raleigh DL-1 I recently rebuilt. The Schwinn, heavy though it is, is sporty compared to the DL-1. There's a lot to like about both bikes though. Anyway, I hope there's at least a couple more weeks of riding here for me. We shall see...

This time of year, it is important to dress in layers and have working lights on both the front and back of the bike. I use retro-style LED lights for an extra measure of safety and visibility.

1970 Raleigh DL-1 Rod Brake Roadster

This 1970 Raleigh DL-1 is pretty much ready. This bike came from an online sale at a fairly discount price, considering it was a low-mileage bike. The 24 inch frame on 28 inch wheels is as large as I would care to go, but it rides very nicely. 

 

Before:

 

After:

 

 

This bike has a large, 24-tooth rear cog (48-tooth front) and oversized Schwalbe tires. It has a very low gearing, which combines with those tires to create a "slow but steady" feel. The oversized tires are nice to have on dirt paths or rougher roads. 

 

The rod brakes are set up and adjusted. They stop about as well as rod brakes will stop a bike. The low gearing generally keeps the speeds pretty low anyway. The long crank arms and low gearing are nice to have on the hills around here.

Summary of work done:

• All bearings cleaned, oiled/greased and rebuilt.
• Everything disassembled and cleaned.
• Hubs disassembled, cleaned in ultrasonic cleaner, rebuilt. 
• Replace crank cotter pins. 
• Add new-old-stock Sturmey Archer shifter (metal face)
  
• New rubber grommets on fender wire brace mounts.
• Replace stripped/damaged screws and bolts.
  
• Rim washers added to wheels.
• Wheels tensioned and trued.
  
• New tires and rim strips.
• New brake pads (Kool Stop rubber)
• New MKS 3000S pedals
• New shifter cable and cable cover.
• Replace plastic fulcrum stop and pulley wheel with vintage metal.
  
• New chain (KMC nickel plated)
• New rear cog (24-tooth Sturmey Archer)
• Paint polished and touched-up.
• New old stock 1970s Raleigh handlebar grips.
• New saddle - Wright's Olympic roadster.
• New retro LED light set (Kiley/Soma)
• Replace wornout decals/graphics with new ones (H. Lloyd's)
  
• New Acorn saddlebag. 
• Vintage Raleigh bell.
  
  

Here are some close-ups - those H. Lloyd replacement decals are great.

 

 

1947 Schwinn Continental and Schwinn Double Adjustable Stem

 

We're well into autumn now, with cooler temperatures and less daylight. The ride season continues, at least for the time being. Normally, the season here lasts into early November, then the clocks change and the weather really begins to cool off. 

 

I took my 1947 Schwinn Continental for a ride last evening. We're getting more fall color now...

The Schwinn Continental was one of the bikes that received the "double adjustable" stem. This type of stem features two pieces, which could be adjusted to give handlebar rides or drop. The stems came in various lengths so you could raise and lower the handlebars as needed. Unfortunately, these stems are now very expensive because they were used on high-end balloon tire Schwinn bikes for a number of years. This stem was quite expensive to acquire, but it has a wide range of adjustment and is the right stem for this 1947 Continental.

 

On a final note, I am pleased to announce that this 1947 Schwinn Continental, along with my 1953 Raleigh Lenton, won the 2024 BikeForums "On the Road Again Challenges" in the "Restoration" category. Both are wonderful riding, quality vintage three speed bikes.

Fall Rides - 1957 Schwinn Traveler

 

Good luck with the weather continues: warm, dry weather that is great for riding. We're already into the first week of October, and though the daylight is getting shorter, the weather has been cooperative so far. 

I recently took out this 1957 Schwinn Traveler three speed for a nice, evening ride. Schwinn's version of the three speed bike just has a durable, solid feel to it. Granted, it's quite heavy for a three speed bike with a diamond frame, but it has a durability and "substantial" feel that is hard to match. 

The Weinmann 810 brakes ("Schwinn Approved" branding on the caliper) were ahead of their time when you consider how lightweight they are and how intuitive they are to service. I will grant that they can be a bit fiddly to adjust, but once they are dialed-in, they're great.

This time of year you need a good set of lights. This bike has a Kily/Soma retro headlight (LED in a vintage-style chrome metal shell) and taillight (LED Soma stainless steel torpedo rear). 

I recently swapped the handlebars to a set one size larger (22 inches across with a little more rise and pull back). I wanted a little more substantial set of bars, but not something overly large. I think these are a great balance of control and compactness. Some of the later 1960s and 70s bikes had oversized bars as would be found on a cruiser type bike. I think those are a bit too big for a bike like this. These medium  bars are quite comfortable and give good control when taking a sharp turn or hitting a bump.

I wrote recently about frame weights on vintage three speed style bikes (see HERE). This bike is an example of when weight is only one of several concerns, and where it is fairly far down on the list of priorities in building a bike. Yes, the Schwinn is "heavy" for this class of bike, but the weight really is not a bother when you consider how comfortable and durable the bike is.

Fall Colors, 1947 Schwinn Continental

So far, autumn here has been mild and fairly dry. We are about 7 to 10 days behind schedule as to fall colors and falling leaves, I would say. The first full weekend of October usually has lots of color and leaves already on the ground. This year, we have some color but many trees are still green. Some leaves have fallen, but many are still up. The warm, dry weather has allowed more time in the saddle, which is always a plus at the end of the season. Winter can be pretty long here... so time to get the rides in while you still can.