1941 Schwinn Excelsior Clunker build!

[sandmangts]

I finally got the wheels finished today. They had proven to be the most difficult part of this entire build. I got sick of holding out for a Union front.

I don't have the right tires yet so I threw on some Kendas for now.

I still need to get a longer seat post but overall I am pretty pleased. It rides well and feels solid. Braking is very good and shifting will be ok once I can re-train myself to use thumb shifters. I can't take all the credit though, I had help.

 

[BobCatMax]

great stuff!

I can almost see it sliding down and round some dusty trail corners

 

[bduc61]

lovely
always happy to see some good old french TA cranks on these klunkers
lifelong quality and luckily it goes on for the company
cannot be said for most "retro" ones :?

 

[biglev]

Proper good job there fella. :shock:

 

[yeti-man]

back to the roots, nice!

 

[sandmangts]

I finally got some 13/16 aluminum rod to make a longer seatpost. I have done some rides around the block and I am very pleased with the stopping power of the drums. Once they got broken back in they are very powerful, much of which I am sure comes from the oversized levers. The bars are super wide but I like it. The control they give is great. Shifting takes alot of getting used to but I think once I get it dialed in this bike is going to be lots of fun. I often host group rides for skill building with beginner mountain bikers. I like to take my old bikes on those rides to handicap myself.

 

[sandmangts]

So I changed the stem back to the original and got some riding in.

 

[Jamis Diablo]

Wow, very nice build, and with the original paint!

 

[eclipse]

that frame is awesome the lines are lush