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- Опубліковано 1 чер 2022
- SCHWINN LE TOUR CRAIGSLIST FIND SERIES PART#1️⃣🔧🚲
Watch the neglected and rusty Le Tour get repaired and restored. Although it was listed on Craigslist as a 1974 model year, it is a 1981 Le Tour, got it for a really good price, but unfortunately, there was a few issues besides scratches and rust. Stay tuned to watch the project unfold as we bring this vintage Schwinn back to its former glory👍🔧🚲 - Навчання та стиль
I love the vintage bike
Thanks! I hope you get the chance to see part II she cleaned up well 👍👍🔧🔧ua-cam.com/video/zSbsQGqBeL4/v-deo.html
I just found your channel a week ago. I am enjoying it immensely. Thanks for the time and effort you put into your videos.
Thanks! glad you are enjoying the content, I appreciate your comment and thanks for watching👍👍🔧🔧
I knew you'd end up repainting that frame! That's a sharp-looking Schwinn. I appreciate all the detailed tips on rust removal. To get sticky gummy residue off, without melting decals, plastics or paint, I use WD-40, let it sit on there a minute. It also cleans old paint pretty well. Thank you for all the time and effort to make these videos.
Yep, I was trying to keep the original paint and decals, but as you predicted, I had to paint and apply all new decals, she turned out good the decals were replaced with exact Velocals reproductions. Replace the hoop and now relacing the rims this week to finish the project. Thanks for the helpful tips and thanks for watching👍🔧
Nice! let the magic begin, this Le Tour is going to turn out nice, the frame came out great, the new decals are going to look great on that new paint, looking forward to seeing the project develop, thanks for sharing👍👍
Thanks Mark! as always I appreciate your comment, stay tuned for part 2 👍🔧
Love it! What a great idea for a theme..70s Schwinn!!
Thanks for watching👍👍🔧🔧
Greetings. Looks like another one of your masterpieces in progress. Looking forward to next chapter. Take care.
Hi Alex! good to see you and thanks for watching👍🔧
Greeting Alex, The next chapter is up, the Le Tour cleaned up well ua-cam.com/video/zSbsQGqBeL4/v-deo.html
Waiting for part 2 👍🏻
Nice! she's almost done, rebuilding the wheelset this weekend and editing the video before the end of September.
Thanks for standing by👍🔧
Hello Alejandro, Part II has been uploaded, she cleaned up well ua-cam.com/video/zSbsQGqBeL4/v-deo.html
I talked to you a bit about your 1974 LeTour restoration. I have one too. I'm just riding it on the original paint job. I wished I had the confidence to rattle can round bike tubing as you do. I never could definitively find out the differences between the LeTour and the Super LeTour other than running gear. Some sources said the frame pieces were double-butted on the Super. Other than that, I think with the right components, you could make the LeTour as light as the Super LeTour? This is great stuff as always!
The pedals do come apart but not in a conventional way. On the CABE site, the guys told me how to do it, but I never did. You pinch/release those pounded pieces that go through the pedal frame as you commented about. Should be plenty of meat to put them back as original. 50% acetone/50% ATF mixed is a FAR better rust penetrant than WD 40.
Thanks for sharing that detail, the best place to compare the Le Tour models throughout the years is the Schwinn catalog, see link below
I just uploaded part 2 of the 1981 Le Tour, I cover the paint process and complete restoration
ua-cam.com/video/zSbsQGqBeL4/v-deo.html
This page provides year by year images and info quoted from Schwinn catalogs for the Le Tour from 1974 to 1988.
bikehistory.org/bikes/letour/
Thanks for watching 👍👍🔧🔧
Working more of your magic! can't wait to see part 2!
Thanks Chris! good to see you, I think she will clean up well and look forward to completing the project, stay tuned , Thanks for watching 👍🔧
Im new to cycling and got my first bike second hand from FB marketplace, from the serial number i believe its a Le Tour 1982 but im not sure how to confirm that exactly but it does look almost exactly like this bike minus most of the stickers/decals
Very nice bro. Evapo rust, is the king of rust removal
Good to see you! Yep... Evaporust works 👌
Thanks for watching 👍🔧
I'm looking at a Sprint, probably a 25" frame (a little tall). I've rust and rotten tires. But, except for a missing bolt at a shift lever, and sitting here for two decades, this Schwinn Sprint is one I'm going to restore. This bike has the same decals' font....
Nice, does the Sprint have the curved seat tube? The Schwinn Sprint was made in 1974 and 1975, however in 1976, Schwinn offered 1975 Schwinn leftover warranty frames with the 1976 newly introduced decals. I have Sprints, a 1974 and the 1975.
@@that70sschwinn Hi there. No, the vertical tubing is straight with absolutely no bend. It's sat on my porch for decades and not been out in the weather ☁️ but it's open some and only sparsely heated. Nevertheless, I see a pretty good condition and I'm gearing up for a refurbishing.
I've been a Schwinn Rider for quite a while. I rode the Tornado,.... Collegiate,..... Varsity,..... Continental and I have this Sprint now.
Actually, I believe that this is a model newer than 1980. I've been watching your UA-cam Videos and this has font letters that are late model. I hope to get this one going.
Oh,... what has happened to the kickstand.
@@johnhillside9105 Nice, yes the Sprint was reintroduced in 1978 and made though 1988 with the straight seat tube, (see link below)
the 1981 Sprint was offered in a very similar color as this Le Tour, if you watched part II it looks just like it with the red bar tape.
I removed the kick stand as I do all of my Panasonic plant Schwinns as it's too bulky and it looks more like a European race bike without it. I appreciate you watching the channel 👍👍🔧🔧
bikehistory.org/bikes/sprint/
@@that70sschwinn Thanks 😊. I enjoy your UA-cam Videos and I'm going to have to roundup some parts. I have to have a kickstand! I'll get with this supply on line. Thanks again.
@@johnhillside9105 The kick stand does come in handy if you are riding the bike on a regular basis, mine get displayed next to each other and ridden randomly, good luck with your Sprint project and let me know how it goes. 👍👍🔧🔧
Looking forward to more videos!
Thanks for watching 👍🔧
Looks good Oscar!
Thanks Rich👍
Interesting, I have a Schwinn Super LE Tour, Red bike. I bought it my Freshman year in High School. Great stuff!
Nice! I will be restoring my Super Le Tour 12.2 sometime this summer, I finally fount the decals.
Stay tuned and Thanks for watching👍🔧
@@that70sschwinn That would be a video I will watch. Thanks!
@@DG-mo5kr Thanks DG🤜
Greetings! Part II has been completed
she cleaned up well ua-cam.com/video/zSbsQGqBeL4/v-deo.html
Great work, love your videos.
Thanks! I appreciate your comment and thanks for watching👍🔧
Hi Ronald, if interested, Part II has been completed,
she cleaned up wellua-cam.com/video/zSbsQGqBeL4/v-deo.html
Beautiful job on the pedals. The frame is going to be beautiful too. Love the silvery metallic color. The fork looked pretty bad. Glad that you were able to find a replacement. We always learn from your videos. What kind of paint do you use?
Thanks! Yes I was super lucky to find the exact fork for only $20 bucks. I used Rustoleum paint from Home depot, Metallic silver for top coat and aluminum silver as base coat, plus clear coat, wet sand and buff to a smooth shiny finish. Part II will cover the frame restoration. Stay tuned
Thanks for watching👍🔧
Greetings Virtual Bike Kitchen, Part II is good to go, she cleaned up well ua-cam.com/video/zSbsQGqBeL4/v-deo.html
I actually own one of these
Cool! I like the silver with red and white decals, a very understated and classic color combination.
Thanks for watching👍🔧
Hello. I just discovered your channel and have to congratulate you for the impressive work in all your builds. You've definitelly motivated me to restore several vintage Schwinns I'm lucky to own (1967 Varsity, 1974 Typhoon & 1972 Twinn Tandem). Noticed that in some of your restorations you replaced the steering bracket bearings with individual bearings. Can you tell me which size of bearings you used and how many you installed in the steering? Thanks!
Nice! Congrats on the vintage beauties you listed, the standard bearing size for the headset is 5/32, you can get them at your local bike shop for next to nothing. Loose bearings are nice. however the classic Schwinn cage bearings work well and install faster. The bearing inside the cage should be 5/32, I use 25 to 26 bearings, the rule of thumb is to fill the bearing cup diameter and then take 1 or 2 out.
Thanks for watching and good luck with your projects 👍👍🔧🔧
@@that70sschwinn Much appreciated! Take care.
Hi Karen, if interested, Part II has been completed,
the bike cleaned up well ua-cam.com/video/zSbsQGqBeL4/v-deo.html
At the 1:26 time stamp, you can see my serial number first 2 characters 1E the 1 stands for 1981 the E stands for May, that's the frame manufacture date, there is also a series of numbers on your head badge that identifies the final production date.
What are the numbers you see?
Is there a step by step process on how to remove decals and install new ones? I've found videos of everything but decal removal and replacement for schwinn bikes.
I did an example around the 15 minute time stamp on this video ua-cam.com/video/r9gs-dryaoU/v-deo.html
Hi! Everybody is welcome to check out my latest Rusty Schwinn Restoration video!🛠😉 Thank you so much for watching!😊🙏
Oscar, did you end up stripping and repainting the whole bike, or did you just touch up the rusty nicks?
Hi Rita! good to see you, my initial intentions were to touch up the frame, but as I worked through it, I made the decision to sand off the original finish and respray to a factory smooth finish, the new decals will go on nicely and the bike should look much better once done. Thanks for stopping by👍🔧
Nice video as always. At 38:19, what is the tool you used to hammer out and remove the press fit chrome trim rings on the fork tube of the frame? Can the same be done to remove the trim rings on the crank tubes of the frame? Doing a full restoration/repaint on a '72 Continental and would like to remove these pieces rather than mask them off to get a better paint job. Your advise is appreciated!
Nice, that 72 Continental is going to look great, here is an Amazon link for the Park Tool bearing cup remover, it's a bit expensive but it works on head tube and bottom bracket
Thanks for watching 👍🔧
www.amazon.com/dp/B00426BAGQ/ref=emc_b_5_t?th=1&psc=1
If interested, Part II has been completed, she cleaned up nicely ua-cam.com/video/zSbsQGqBeL4/v-deo.html
How did you get started with Schwinn?
I grew up around the brand, I always wanted a Schwinn Sting-Ray Krate Muscle bike but had to settle for the department store brand look alike. 50 years later, I wanted to get a bike to ride around and got sticker shock at my local bike shop, I asked the sales rep, where are the $200 bikes? he laughed and pointed me to Craigslist to look for a Schwinn Varsity, I went to Craigslist and found 2 examples and bought my first Schwinn, it was a 1970 Campus green Varsity in pretty good shape and took it home.
She weighed a ton but it rode like a champ and was quick and agile. I started to do some research on the bike and I decided to restore it to look like the catalog images. I took the bike to a local bike repair shop to see if I could find parts, I rolled the vintage beauty into the shop with all it's chrome gleaming and freewheel clicking nicely and the customers and shop guys loved it and reminisced about the brand and how durable well made they were.
At that point I realized that nostalgia made these bikes special. The next day I went to the pawnshop and picked up my 2nd Schwinn, a 1971 Sierra Brown Varsity. The more I learned about the brand, the more I wanted to find my next bike, I started to collect every model in the lightweight category, From the entry level Varsity to the high-end Paramount. I was able to get them all and have restored them all to look as they did when they rolled out of the Schwinn Dealer sales floor. Later I decided to get the Sting-Ray Krate line up and got all of them as well.
I have over 50 bikes lined up indoors and ride them around the neighborhood, my neighbors love the bright '70s impact bright colors as well as the geometry of the vintage frames and old school componentry.
These bike are ready to survive another 50 years for future generations to enjoy 👨👩👦👦🚲🚲
Hope you get to see part 2, this Le Tour cleaned up well Thanks for watching👍👍🔧🔧
Where do you get decals ?I need some for my 79 le tour
I got the top tube Le Tour and downtube Schwinn water transfer decals on eBay, see links below.
The fork and seat tube decals were purchased from a company named Velocals that closed shop at the beginning of 2023. If you can save your original decals do so as needed. I was lucky to find the entire kit to restore the bike as originally presented in 1981. Good luck with your project and thanks for watching👍👍🔧🔧
Top tube decals
www.ebay.com/itm/333128573730?hash=item4d9002a322:g:plEAAMXQ3kRQ8b2C&amdata=enc%3AAQAIAAAA8FZap3xIY5C8DmqIw4zng0eI0YAR%2FKUe%2BJmTaM%2F0fgtw1%2BrKnu6zOLNpEszYlFVDCRr3ybsY1kUVKrxm6e65rzhRHfMhgv%2BL45GUeVGqqDh6vxblYHWC%2BJ8n%2BEC75ZmnXZzorkZyfPi%2BbeSAuS7ulNpU7dOqKjfjcx%2Bi2YmIQiq1PikwCG4m1NuT34dF2BypZk7KXyXx5a%2FZ5%2BqXi6TagC6%2FVFFZhrPWG2C8%2B9YJgh%2BCJAYXshr6NZcYnETrL%2Fi6PJ7uZw8WVT87YcP4xgysK9bwNvctSrFSXygls0j3FN7GpbwLtwj4GqamZQUygWVkAw%3D%3D%7Ctkp%3ABk9SR5bu48aBYw
Downtube decals
www.ebay.com/itm/312580001448?hash=item48c7384ea8:g:PAIAAMXQ3kRQ8HRB&amdata=enc%3AAQAIAAAA0CGcBn%2B4rX14KUgLIB6wcKDbC5baSF8aPBIprcj%2Bo3kp65%2FNtu5yd6z1e%2F2iAQhTlDPDUDBZRRKBoE5YRLYWTK9hydTYF%2BmhXzeCxak7Pp%2Fd3hZxL2iLqNrVmCzcQlKlL0igMP7ABMhpust4ZCd2WasVKg4pwF8DsFwuBb5TtKmg4tgEbmqwpsX13wzbhzSBZ8B56UMqVoujONMGrYEeznXiLDSl%2BUWnsFX%2B%2FJw0P0xSnz9SUh%2F6ehWfKwaLz4AvbVSEw3j6yjvNZZke%2FVu18Ak%3D%7Ctkp%3ABk9SR5ru48aBYw
@@that70sschwinn thank you
Any tips on removing the stubborn bits from the head tube? I've got an 80s Le tour and am having trouble removing the pieces from the head tube.
Ideally tips for someone who doesn't have that tool.
The headset threading can get pretty rusty, I used some W-D40 and let it soak and penetrate for a few minutes and then used channel locks to remove the cone which is normally hand tightened, try not to damage the edges if possible. Mine was really stuck due the the hanger being off the thread key washer slot. checkout the timestamp at 24:33 to see if this is what you are talking about.
@@Mcklog15 Channel lock plyers are not to expensive or you could take the frame to your local bike shop and they may remove it for free or a minimal fee.
@@that70sschwinn hey thanks for getting back to me. I think we’re on slightly different pages. I’m talking about removing the head tube cups like how you do at 38:20. I built a version of that tool using some pvc, but it just doesn’t wanna come out
@@Mcklog15 That makes sense, the bearing cups can be removed with a long flat screwdriver , just tap evenly around the cup after spraying some WD-40 from the inside of the headtube . Try not to damage the edges, or of you have a sold piece of wood you can cut to fit in the headtube that could work as well. I only remove those if they are super rusty or damaged. Otherwise I usually clean and polish while on the frame. Those tools are over priced for what they do. Hope that works for you 🔧🔧
Hi Oscar! Looking good so far! What year? Is that really a Panasonic badged as a Schwinn?
Thanks Brian, I thought the same thing, looking at the Le Tour History link, it appears the Le Tour was manufactured in Chicago in 1979, 1980 and possibly used Chicago frames in 1981 with Made in Japan seat tube decals, here is the description of the 1980 Super Le Tour, I also noticed they dropped the "Schwinn Approved" after 1978. But yes the head badge definitely reads Chicago ..take look and let me know what you see.
Schwinn Super LeTour 12-Speed
Lightweight responsive and agile, the 28 pound 12-speed Super LeTour is an X-tra Lite cycle with features rarely found in this price range.
Self-centering rear derailleur with six-cog cassette freewheel. Downtube shifters for smooth, quiet, positive shifting, and Schwinn's own made-in-Chicago X-tra Lite torch brazed lug frame... plus many other extra-quality equipment features that make this an execeptional bicycle you'll be proud to own.
bikehistory.org/bikes/letour/
@@that70sschwinn Wow Oscar. Quite a read. I had no idea of these bikes as I was driving full time by '75. I can agree that these are killer bikes! I would love to restore one someday. Thanks for that link!!
@@brianchisnell1548 Thanks Brian, yes the Le tour went through many phases and name changes, Like Le Tour, Super Le Tour 12.2 , Le Tour II, Le Tour III , Super Le Tour II, Super Le Tour 12 speed, Le Tour IV , some were more high-end than others. Definitely one of the most sold based on price and dealer availability.
I have 3 Le tours and the best of mine is the Super Le Tour 12.2
Where did you source the decals?
I got the Le Tour Top Tube and Schwinn downtube decals on eBay, see link below for several Le Tour options
www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_trksid=p2380057.m570.l1313&_nkw=schwinn+le+tour+decals&_sacat=0
I got the a;; the seat tube decals and fork and seat tube red stripes from Velocals, I just finished the frame, decals look nice.
velocals.com/
Greetings, uploaded part II, the decals look great on the bike ua-cam.com/video/zSbsQGqBeL4/v-deo.html
Howd you find the master on the chain lol
It was certainly rusty and now it's functioning like a champ, check out part II. These chains take a chain breaker to push out any pivot rod until you can separate the links. Thanks for watching 👍
I have a Schwinn Le Tour bicycle. Yellow color. Serial number 4H01958. Can someone tell me what year this bike was manufactured
Nice! Kool Lemon August of 1974 Le Tour
4+1974 H= August
Why would they advertise that the frame is built with AISI 1020 tubing? 1020 is garden variety mild steel. It's dirt cheap (compared to, e.g., 4130), which is why department store bikes are typically made of 1020 or similar, which is often euphemistically called "Hi-Ten." It's not much different than black pipe, AKA: gas pipe, from your local hardware store.
The Le Tour was offered in several options, the 1020 tubbing was the popular and more affordable Le Tour, they also offered the Super Le Tour and World Voyageur with the 4130 frames, Schwinn was pretty transparent with their import builds.
@@that70sschwinn That's interesting that they made versions with 4130 tubing.
I have an old made-in-Japan road bike that's branded "Puch," and it has a sticker that says "012 Hi-Tension." I assume they meant 1012, because there's no such thing as "012" steel. 1012 is even lower on the totem pole than 1020.
Also, whoever came up with the term "Hi-Tension" was confused. High tension is an electrical term which means high voltage, as in, "high tension wires" (which doesn't mean "tight wires"). The word they were looking for is "tensile," even though 1012 doesn't really have a high tensile strength (and neither does 1020, for that matter).
@@MaximRecoil The chrome Super Le Tour seen in the background will be a project in the near future, it reminds me of my 1972 Chrome Paramount with the Reynolds 531 tubing. the Super Let Tour details below
MODEL:
Schwinn-Approved Super Le Tour 12.2.
FRAME:
Available 19", 21", 23" and 25" frame sizes (48.3cm through 63.5cm).
4130 Chrome molybdenum double butted top and bottom tubes. Single-butted seat mast. 1020 carbon steel forks and stays.
All joints are lugged and brazed.
Tubular front fork, with chrome plated crown and 6" of front fork ends.
FRAME FINISH:
Scarlet, Black, Silver Mist, and full chrome. NOTE: $50.00 extra charge for full chrome
@@that70sschwinn Nice. Chromoly main triangle with mild steel chain/seat stays is what's commonly called "Tri-Moly," (the "tri" part refers to the three main tubes), or at least it is in the BMX world. I have a mid-1980s Univega BMX that has a "Tri-Moly" frame. It actually has a sticker on the seat tube that uses the term "Tri-Moly."
As for Reynolds 531, that's some proprietary stuff, unlike e.g., 1020 and 4130. It's legendary though; I've always wanted a Reynolds 531 frame, even though modern air-hardening steels, like Reynolds 853, are better. When I was a kid in the early '80s I'd go to the library and read every book I could find about bicycles, most of which were written in the 1970s. Back then a lugged & brazed Reynolds 531 frame was the thing to have (with regard to road bikes).
There was even at least one make/model of BMX frame made with Reynolds 531 tubing: the SE Racing Quad-Angle.
@@MaximRecoil Very cool detail 👍🔧
Hello. My wife would like to contact you. She has a 1974 Schwinn Collegiate Sport that she is trying to restore. If possible and you are willing, how can we contact you?
Hello Anthony, thank you for your question, I'm flattered that you and your wife are inquiring about my services, unfortunately, this is only a hobby for me and I only restore bikes I buy and collect. My videos have inspired and helped many of my viewers to get their diamonds in the rough out of storage and giving them a little TLC. Here's is a link of a 5 part series that cover the entire process
Bike restoration can be expensive if done correctly by a professional, in most cases, more that the bike is worth. This Le Tour is a perfect example. I paid $100 bucks and have put more than $200 in parts and many hours of labor, The bike will look like new when I'm done but probably not worth what I put into it, the reward for me is doing it and sharing the results with my viewers.
If tools and mechanical skills are an issue, you can take the bike to your local bike shop for a tune up and bearing overhaul, you guys can wax the paint and polish the chrome to make the old Schwinn gleam again, these bikes clean up well..
Feel free to ask questions on any of the videos for more details if needed. Thanks for watching👍
ua-cam.com/video/VSPJJb8voWw/v-deo.html
Thanks for your kind reply and supplying the videos. We really appreciate them.
One question my wife has…do you have a basic tool kit you recommend to take off parts for cleaning?
If you ever decide to do online classes with a person or group, we will sign up. Thanks for your expertise!
@@anthonyduer9849 I would only recommend tools if you were going to use them regularly, if this is a one time project, you could spend hundreds on just tools. I got my tools one at a time as I needed them, now I have many and some I have used sparingly and others all the time. Below is an Amazon link of a few examples of the tools I like from Park Tool, there are much less expensive options if you search for just Bike tools. It may be cheaper to take the bike to a local bike shop and get an estimate on a complete tune up and bearing overhaul, they may be able to advise on some basic tools you can buy if you decide to do it yourself. I watched and still watch how to videos while working on my projects, I like to to get things right and I'm very meticulous when it comes to period correct details, I certainly enjoy the process.
www.amazon.com/s?k=park+tool+tool+kit&crid=1XHTJLAZJW2EC&sprefix=park+tool+tool+kit%2Caps%2C117&ref=nb_sb_ss_ts-doa-p_2_18
Thanks so much for the information!
@@anthonyduer9849 Glad to help, let me know if you have any other questions
Regards,
Just buy a new chain
That was my first thought, and then the rust came off and decided to go with original OEM chain based on the condition once restored. Check out part II, the entire bike came out very clean ua-cam.com/video/zSbsQGqBeL4/v-deo.html Thanks for watching 👍👍🔧🔧