1967 Schwinn Racer "BMX style"

[F_Rod81]

Here we go with a new project for the summer. I recently came across a 1967 Schwinn Racer (aka speedster/ camel-back) frame that I got off ebay for cheap. It got Saturday and here is what it looks like... I plan to build a BMX racer out of it and put a motor on it of course . The frame out of the box looked way too small for my size. I thought I made a bad decision at first. I did a quick build with spare parts and it looks better with wheels, forks and a seat. About the same height as my BTR. Project still on!

takes 26" wheels and has a 19" frame

 

[runnermike]

Looking good.....2stroke?

 

[F_Rod81]

I took a day off from work today. Not really. I took it off to work on the bike . The way I received the bike, well, it was a mess and needed to be stripped asap. No chemicals here, just the right tool. The frame cleaned up very nice. I'm thinking about leaving it raw now...

 

[BonusParts]

Good looking frame!

 

[bairdco]

i built a 24" speedster for my last race bike. i also have a 26 that's still a bicycle. i love those frames.

one problem you're gonna run into is tire and chain clearance. those bikes are designed for 1 1/38 rims and you'll need to stretch the rear triangle to squeeze fatter tires in there.

there's a how-to on here somewheres, or you can google "sheldon brown frame stretching."

other than that, it's a simple build. plenty of room for a motor with those frames. bolts right in...

good luck.

 

[F_Rod81]

i built a 24" speedster for my last race bike. i also have a 26 that's still a bicycle. i love those frames.

one problem you're gonna run into is tire and chain clearance. those bikes are designed for 1 1/38 rims and you'll need to stretch the rear triangle to squeeze fatter tires in there.

there's a how-to on here somewheres, or you can google "sheldon brown frame stretching."

other than that, it's a simple build. plenty of room for a motor with those frames. bolts right in...

good luck.

Your right Baird, they are really nice frames! Your build was part of the inspiration. I like the strength and simplicity of these frames. I did a quick mock build with some spare parts and I was able to get a 26x2.125 in there, that I stole temporarily off the wife's cranbrook. There was maybe a 1/16" of clearance on each side of the tire both top and bottom of the triangle with the tire 90% inflated. I think I should be able to run 1.75 maybe 1.95 and be okay. I need to beef up the welds in few places and then I can paint it or leave it raw, I still cant decide. Thanks for the kind words!

More to come...

 

[culvercityclassic]

I like this build and I really like Baird's build. Seen it in person and on the race track and it was well built. Good choice in frames!

 

[bairdco]

if you can weld, beef up the top tube/seat tube junction and the bottom bracket to rear chain stays junction. those are the weak points.

 

[knightscape]

Those old "electroweld" frames have such a cool look around the headtubes. Gets that fillet brazed shape on the cheap. Looking forward to seeing your progress.

 

[F_Rod81]

So shoot me! I took another day off from work to make it a 4 day weekend for fathers day . Plus work on the bike

Morning project complete. Per Baird's advise I welded up the seat junction, underneath so it looks untouched from the top. I also beefed up the rear triangle with a round gusset that I made from a handle bar cut in 1/2. I still might add a flat plate on top of the round one for added strength (kinda like a double wall rim).

Progress...

 

[mapbike]

Nice looking frame, the old Western Flyer frame I have is gonna get some welding and some bracing in the future when I take it all down for a decent paint job, the rear dropouts will get welded to the frame and maybe a couple gussets for added strength.

Cant wait to see what you end up with when this project is done...

Map

 

[curtisfox]

Nice bike frame.. How about replacing the front down tube with one from a step through.
Especially the old Schwinn girls down tubes have a nice curve to them...........Curt

 

[Moisstink]

That looks like one sweet start to a motorized bike! Very cool.

 

[F_Rod81]

A little more progress...

 

[2door]

You know I'm watching this one Frank. Your builds are always so nice. It's fun to see the progress and the final results. Keep us posted.

Tom

 

[mapbike]

Nice clean looking bike so far F_Rod81

Im gonna be glad when I have time to get back on a couple of my bikes, just working to much and its way to hot in these parts right now...

I'll be watching this nice bike coming together here also.

Map

 

[F_Rod81]

Okay, so the bike is all wired up. I ran the cables and fuel line, and cut them to length. I also installed the peanut tank temporarily till I can find a different tank that I like for the bike. That being said, I wire wheeled the top of the tank to match the rest of the bike. I left the bottom of the tank black to look like a top tube pad like on the older bmx's. Rather then using the stock mounts that are with the motor I used SBP mounts for the front and rear. They say that it isn't designed for the rear but it works very well. I just needed to shave 1/8 off the chain side of the rear mount. Extremely soild!!! Just an old Dax engine floating on the mounts, but at least you can see how it sits. I think this bike is going to get my old grubee engine and a new reed setup. Should be a screamer!

 

[F_Rod81]

To be honest, I don't know how long the rigid forks will last on this bike. Rigid forks work on my other bike but this is a totally different build. Only time and miles will tell. Looks good in the mean time.

 

[onellesen]

What type of cklitch are you running I have never seen any with that potrusion

 

[F_Rod81]

"Morini era" KTM expansion chamber to use...



Wire wheeled, welded to the stock pipe, and painted with some bbq grill high-temp paint.