Inauspicious Beginnings: 1961 Schwinn American.

mogollonmonster

mogollonmonster

Member
Original Bendix rear hub is apart and clean, awaiting arrival of properly sized tires. Fenders beckon my gentle paint prep.
Frame.... Can't get the G@&°¡[`¿^] crank apart! I can't even get the pedals off! Everything's been soaking in break free for days! I'm going to degrease with carb cleaner and try P.B. Spray next. I tried gently heating with a propane torch at one point, to no avail. I've tried a pipe over the wrench and gentle beatings (lol), nada!

A most empathetic, HELP
 
One of them should be left hand thread. I believe the left one is. So turn it clockwise to disassemble.
 
Thank you, I am aware, the problem is nothing will move AT ALL. Hopefully, a good penetrating lubricant will help. If not it's back to square one.
 
A Park brand pedal wrench #PW3 has served me well for years but sometimes they're like welded it and nothing breaks them loose. Don't sacrifice the frame trying too hard. There's lots of Schwinn pedal cranks available just like yours. Cut it off at the left nut and use a socket. Saves a lot of grief and time trying to save something easily replaced. Just a suggestion because I've done it before.
 
I have a grinder, and cut-off wheels. I just wanted to know how the pros would do it. After all the bike is all original, the better and the worse. I'll take a. FUBARed cank, the Bendix Redline is museum quality under the grease. I've always been a proponent of coaster breaks.

Let the controversy begin! Look for the thread.

Keep your eyes on this thread to see what becomes of "The Troll"!
 
The pro's never force it......they always get a bigger hammer. LOL I cut them off and use a socket and impact air wrench.
 
Corrosion can do some awful things. Use a torch if you're really set on keeping it original. And heat it up a lot. A LOT. Lightly heating it won't cut it if it's seized on bad enough. I've had tonget some bolts red/orange hot before they begin to turn.

But I would replace the crank and never speak of it. Who's going to know, aside from you?
 
That same crank is probably common to other Schwinn middle weights. No one will know or care if it is original. I've had a couple of 63 American deluxe models and the hybrid trike I'm building is a ladies version. Well made bikes with good components. I'm also a fan of the Bendix coaster brake. Keep it greased and it will go forever. You'll want a front brake, even if just caliper. Schwinn made an add on adapter for that fork and they sometimes come up on ebay. Good luck with your build.
SB
 
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Thanks SB I'll certainly need all the luck I can get, lol. Still have some tuning to do on the "Tanglebones" project before the wife will let me dig in to this in ernest. Or at least put money out...for that reason I'll likely just heat it more as I was planning, just have to get a better torch and this bike to meet in person.

We'll see how things go...
 
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