Schwinn Superior Gets New Tires

 I took my Schwinn Superior for a ride the other day and all went well... until about 3/4 of the way through the ride. I started noticing a cyclical "clunking" and bouncing from rear wheel. Usually this means either a rim is out of round or the tire has developed a bulge. 

I found the rim wasn't bad, but the tire had developed a bulge in one area.

The tires were a few seasons old. They're basic, Kenda white walls for Schwinn S5/S6 rims. This particular set has not aged all that well. The white walls have faded faster than usual and now the rear tire developed a bulge that made the bike uncomfortable to ride. 

So off the white walls went... and on went a set of low mileage, blackwall Kendas.

I had a set of Kenda black wall tires with low mileage on a set of spare Raleigh Clubman wheels, so I decided to repurpose those tires. Black wall tires would have been original to this particular bike anyway... so why not?

English-style "white tail" on the rear fender

The bike rode better with the new tires, but then I noticed the front wheel had gone out of true. So I trued the wheel... This bike has always been kind of a maintenance hog compared to my others. I'm not sure why. I've fiddled with the wheels and tires several times over the years. Fortunately the hubs are very good, smooth rollers. "Takes all kinds", I guess... 

Anyway, the bike is back on the road and the weather is getting warmer again...

 I also took some time to swap the saddlebag from a vinyl, black bag to a very nice, brown canvas Acorn bag. I love Acorn bags and fortunately accumulated a few extras before they went out of business.

 The lapel pin is from a period (1949-50) Pontiac. I like adding small, period touches like that. This is certainly an unusual bike, based on my experience - 1949 or 50 Superior.

And I'm not the only one out there enjoying some warmer weather...

Bullfrog on a lily pad