1947 Schwinn New World

This time of year brings sudden thunderstorms, and today we had a solid downpour. I waited for it to pass, then took a ride on the 1947 Schwinn New World. I like to make sure I'm clear of the lightening when I go. Fortunately, the skies cleared and we had drier weather after the downpour. It remained hot and very humid though.

 I've been fiddling with the spokes on both wheels. I noticed last night that several spokes were loose on the front wheel.  I tensioned them, trued both wheels, and returned to the road.

 One thing that people overlook is a good bicycle bell. The best bets today are the old, West German bells on eBay. I usually get them for under $20 with shipping included. They are well made.

 I bought this Brooks B73 from a vintage bicycle exchange member, tensioned it, and applied some Proof Hide after letting it sit in newly tensioned state a couple of days. The B73 is great on this bike.

I am awaiting two bottles of John Deere Ultraguard to try to soften these grips a little. They're in good shape for being almost 70 years old, but a little petrified. Oil of Wintergreen helped a little, but I fear it might be too strong for these.

Schwinn Lightweight Fork: "Torpedo Tube"

Early Schwinn lightweights, particularly many of those made in the 1940s-50s, feature a variety of unique parts that set them apart from English three speeds, or even three speeds made in the U.S. 

One such part is the somewhat odd, "torpedo" tube fork. While not all Schwinn lightweights used this fork (many used a "flat top" fork, while Paramounts had a different fork), you do see many New Worlds, Superiors, Continentals, World Travelers, and World Varsities with this fork.

Fresh from the parts bin is this bare torpedo tube Schwinn fork. Many people associate the flat-bladed, "ashtabula" style forks with Schwinn lightweights, but this torpedo fork offers a look at earlier approaches to a 26 x 1-3/8 inch bike fork.




The fork is solidly made, but not overly heavy. It has a clean drilling for a caliper brake bolt, and smooth joining between the steerer tube and the fork tubes. The dropouts are also cleanly made.

The only drawback here is the proprietary headset threading, which requires a Schwinn headset instead of a generic type.

These forks offer a look at the good quality and unique elements of the early Schwinn lightweights from the 1940s and 50s.

Brooks B73 Saddle and Schwinn New World

I recently refurbished a Brooks B73 saddle. Several years ago, I repaired the carriage of a Books B66.

The B73 is distinguished by having three coil springs- with one coil at the nose of the saddle, instead of a plain bolt (B72 and B66) or a hairpin spring.

Last weekend I repaired the leather of a Brooks B73. This was not particularly difficult, though care was needed. I tensioned the saddle carefully using the tensioning nut. I let that "set" for several days, then applied a coat of Books Proofhide.






Today, I put the B73 on my Schwinn New World. The saddle "looks the part" and matches the bicycle's condition nicely. The leather is in good shape, but the saddle has enough honest wear to work well with this project.