My new 1979 Schwinn Continental was one of the last few actually born in Chicago. Japan and Taiwan became the parent countries of Schwinn bikes a short time later. Without going into a mini-history lesson to help extol the virtues of Schwinn bicycles, some real, some imagined...let's just say that to many of us, old and young, the name itself is an American icon.In today's world of trendy carbon frames and carbon components and carbon wheelsets, it's the still the steel (chromolloy to be more precise) that brings home the bacon in bicycle frames. And although my '79 Continental weighs more than twice Lance's or Levi's wheels, it rolls as steady and sturdy as any road bike on the road. Yes, it's called a road bike now. The change in moniker necessitated by the continued addition of more and more gears over the years. One would be hard pressed to find a "new" 10 speed nowadays. The bicycle world now accepts an 11 speed rear cog set as norm...times two in the front...well, you get the pictures. BTY...three speed front cranks, popular for a while, are going the way of the Do Do bird and are said to be owned only by wimps and city slickers who never ride their mountain bikes any longer.
My other Schwinns, in various forms of restoration and part raping, are a Super Le Tour, two Open Roads, a World Sport, and a Le Tour. A couple of these frames will morph into those trendy single speed things that don't require shifting gears. Photos coming soon to a blogsite near you.
To put it simply, being someone who has always thoroughly enjoyed dismantling things and, on occasion, actually putting them back together...farting around with these bikes is a real kick. The 1979 Schwinn Continental that resides in my garage (and the subject of these photos) was acquired recently from my next door neighbor. It had been sitting in an extra room in his house for nearly 30 years. I convinced him to sell it to me and he did, with one condition: I don't sell it, ie, keep it for myself as a collector item. And so, I probably will. The restoration was relatively simple and painless. I took it apart, every nut and bolt. Clean it, repacked all the bearings, both wheel and headset (where the handle bar stem goes), put on new cables and housings and new tires. The old tires exploded when I tried to pump them up! Voila...a near perfect '79, Chicago-made Schwinn Continental...Candy Apple Red. The paint will need a touch up here and there. Other than that, I now own something I only coveted since the age of fourteen.
It's just a piece of steel, chrome, and rubber. But, it is a Schwinn. And, I think I will still refer to it as a 10 speed if that's alright!
By the way, if you know of anyone wanting to sell a vintage Schwinn Paramount (the model just above the Continental), let me know. I've been known to pay way too much for old bicycles!
