Tale of 3 in Opaque Blue

[OldBaldie]

Here's a little story.

Back in 1973 my wife and her first husband purchased 2 Schwinns, when they first got married. A 10 speed Surbuban and a 10 Speed Continental, both in Opaque Blue. Fast forward 37 years when we met, she still had the Surburban.

We were living in South Florida and I noticed an ad for a 5 speed Surburban in Opaque Blue and decided to get it. It was originally purchased in NJ, and needed a complete service. Had to travel from the east coast to the west coast to pick it up, a fun road trip.

During 2017 we moved to the Indianapolis, IN area and at a family event we ran into her ex-husband and his wife. She asked him if he still had his Schwinn and he said yes. Then asked if he wanted to get rid of it. He said No, his wife said YES!

Well about a year later he called me and asked if we were still interested. I said yes and about an hour later he showed up at my house and dropped off the bike.

 I took it apart for a full service and found the front hub cracked and the rear rim was all dented up. Replaced both of them, cables, brake pads, tires and greased all the bearings.

[schwinnman67]

Nice! Opaque Blue is one of my favorite Schwinn colors

[Schwinndemonium]

Want a dealer modified 1974 ladies Varsity Tourist in Opaque Blue?
A hundred bucks and it's yours. Will not ship it though. I've had it for about 25 years, now.

Ready to ride.

Jim.

[JeffC]

The Opaque blue holds up pretty good. It's pretty interesting that you got the ex-husband's Continental. That is a Schwinn collector's story for sure. I've got a '72 Opaque Blue Super Sport. I only have pictures of it when i brought it home. Like my other bikes I need to get some photos of the refurbishments.

[OldBaldie]

Schwinndemonium - No thanks I don't need another at the moment

JeffC - Lookin Good.

I forgot to mention that the rear quick release axle was bent also, replaced with a solid axle that I had on hand. I also found a shop that had all OEM handle bar tape and have 2 rolls but haven't wrapped the handle bars yet.

This shop also had a complete set of Schwinn touch up paint, little bottles in the original cardboard box. Unfortunately they were all dried up.

[JeffC]

I like to replace the axles on the rear with solid axles. The support for the axle at the bearing is too far inboard for hollow axles and they bend far too easily. In later models of the Continental I'm thinin' 1976 and beyond the Continental only has quick release on the front.