The Schwinn Twinn Tandem bicycle, a symbol of collaborative cycling and vintage American craftsmanship, is a fascinating piece of cycling history. Recently, a vintage Schwinn Twinn Tandem, possibly from the early 1970s, entered the workshop for a complete restoration. This Steve Schwinn Bike, while showing its age with sticky grease, chipped paint, and some rust, held the promise of a beautiful revival. This project documents the journey of bringing this classic tandem back to its former glory, detailing each step from initial assessment to the final gleaming bicycle.
Side view of the Schwinn Twinn Tandem before restoration, showcasing its original condition.
Initial Assessment and Teardown of the Vintage Tandem
The first step in any restoration is understanding the starting point. This Schwinn Twinn Tandem, a notable model in the Steve Schwinn bike lineup, presented a typical set of challenges for a bicycle of its age. Years of use and storage had left their mark. The initial inspection revealed layers of old, sticky grease clinging to components, paintwork marred by chips, and chrome surfaces exhibiting rust pitting. Despite these cosmetic issues, the underlying structure seemed sound, offering a solid foundation for the restoration work.
The teardown process began, carefully dismantling the bicycle piece by piece. Penetrating oil proved to be an invaluable ally in loosening stubborn seat tubes and the stem, components often seized after decades of inactivity. Fortunately, most other parts came apart without excessive force, a testament to the original build quality of Steve Schwinn bikes. The frame, once stripped of its components, revealed the extent of the grime accumulated over time.
Close-up of the rear crankset of the Steve Schwinn bike before cleaning, highlighting the grease buildup.
Image showing the rear coaster brake hub of the vintage Schwinn tandem, covered in old grease before overhaul.
Detailed shot of the Schwinn S-7 stamp on the rear wheel rim of the Steve Schwinn Twinn Tandem, before cleaning.
Front view of the Schwinn Twinn Tandem prior to restoration, showing its complete but unrestored state.
Bottom bracket area of the Schwinn Twinn Tandem before cleaning, illustrating grease and grime accumulation.
Frame Cleaning and Polishing: Revealing the Original Shine
With the frame stripped bare, the cleaning process could begin in earnest. Despite the initial layer of dirt and grease, the frame of this Steve Schwinn bike cleaned up remarkably well. After a thorough cleaning, polishing commenced, revealing a surprisingly lustrous finish underneath. While the paint retained numerous chips and scratches, signs of its age and history, the overall result was satisfying. The frame, now clean and polished, provided a renewed sense of optimism for the rest of the restoration.
Schwinn Twinn Tandem frame with components removed, showcasing the dirty frame before cleaning.
Close-up of the dirty frame around the rear bottom bracket area of the Steve Schwinn bike before cleaning.
Detailed view of the chain tensioner area on the dirty frame of the vintage Schwinn tandem prior to restoration.
Dropout area of the Schwinn Twinn Tandem frame showing dirt accumulation before the cleaning process.
Bottom bracket area of the Steve Schwinn bike frame after polishing, showcasing the improved condition.
Polished frame of the Schwinn Twinn Tandem, demonstrating the significant improvement after cleaning and polishing.
Bottom Bracket and Crank Restoration: Smooth Rotation Returns
Moving onto the bottom bracket, a notorious area for old grease, this Steve Schwinn bike did not disappoint. The bottom bracket grease had solidified into a caulk-like consistency, a common issue in vintage bicycles. Removing this stubborn grease from the bearing cages proved to be a time-consuming task. The components of the bottom bracket and headset were gently simmered in soapy water in a crock pot to loosen the grime. The crank arms, coated in grease with some rust and pitting, and the cogs, which were in surprisingly good condition thanks to Schwinn’s durable chrome plating, were also addressed.
After cleaning, the cranks and components were polished, revealing a significant improvement in their appearance. A combination of bench buffer and hand polishing techniques was employed to achieve the desired shine. Remarkably, the bearings and cups showed minimal wear, a testament to the robust construction of these vintage Steve Schwinn bikes. The bottom bracket assembly was straightforward, and the resulting smooth rotation of the cranks was a clear sign of progress.
Crankset and components of the Schwinn Twinn Tandem before cleaning, showing grease and dirt accumulation.
Close-up of the white, hardened grease found in the crank components of the vintage Schwinn tandem.
Crank arms of the Steve Schwinn bike cleaned but not yet polished, showing initial improvement.
Polished crankset and components of the Schwinn Twinn Tandem after restoration, highlighting the renewed shine.
Front crank cup being pressed into the frame of the vintage Schwinn tandem during reassembly.
Rear crank cups being pressed into the frame of the Steve Schwinn bike, part of the bottom bracket installation.
Front crank installed on the Schwinn Twinn Tandem, showing progress in the bottom bracket restoration.
Rear crank installed on the vintage Schwinn tandem, completing the bottom bracket assembly.
Both front and rear cranks installed on the Steve Schwinn bike, showcasing the completed bottom bracket and crankset.
Rear Wheel and Coaster Brake Overhaul: Ensuring Reliable Stops
The rear wheel, featuring a coaster brake, received attention next. Disassembly of the coaster brake and hub required penetrating oil and soaking to overcome years of stiction. Inspection of the internal components revealed minimal wear, but the grease and oil had deteriorated significantly. The overhaul process proceeded smoothly, cleaning and polishing each part before reassembly. Schwinn’s commitment to durability was once again evident in the robust construction of the coaster brake mechanism.
New tires were ordered for the Schwinn Twinn, a crucial step as the original tires were undoubtedly past their prime. A slight complication arose with the rear rim being smaller than the front, an S-7 Schwinn rim requiring specific tire sizes. Finding tires that balanced size and availability for the tandem proved to be a minor challenge. The front rim, suspected to be an S-10, added another layer to the tire sourcing process.
Rear wheel hub brake side of the Steve Schwinn Twinn Tandem before cleaning, showing dirt and old lubricant.
Rear wheel hub cog side of the vintage Schwinn tandem before restoration, highlighting the condition of the components.
Exploded view of the coaster brake mechanism of the Schwinn Twinn Tandem, ready for cleaning and reassembly.
Rear wheel hub of the Steve Schwinn bike before cleaning, showing the extent of grease and grime.
Rear wheel rim of the vintage Schwinn tandem before cleaning and polishing, displaying rust and wear.
Rear wheel rim of the Schwinn Twinn Tandem after initial cleaning and polishing, revealing improved condition.
Rear wheel hub of the Steve Schwinn bike cleaned and undergoing initial polishing, showing progress in restoration.
Cleaned and polished coaster brake components of the Schwinn Twinn Tandem, ready for reassembly and installation.
Rear wheel hub and brake system of the Steve Schwinn bike overhauled and ready for tire installation.
Rear wheel hub and brake of the vintage Schwinn tandem overhauled and polished, showcasing the restoration work.
Headset, Stem, and Handlebar Revival: Steering and Control Restored
Moving to the front of the bike, the fork and headset assembly were next. The fork, in decent condition, surprisingly still retained a portion of its original sticker on the fork tube, a rare find on a vintage Steve Schwinn bike. Cleaning and polishing the fork was done carefully to preserve this detail. The headset threads were cleaned up using a die, ensuring smooth operation. The headset components, while showing some wear, were deemed serviceable, benefiting from fresh grease and reassembly. Schwinn headsets, known for their robust bearings, were appreciated for their longevity.
The stem and handlebars, typical areas for rust and pitting, were also addressed. The stem polished up nicely, while the handlebars required more effort to remove pitting. Bench buffing effectively removed the rust, leaving acceptable, though not perfect, handlebars. Proper polishing necessitated removing the handlebars from the stem and carefully detaching the original Schwinn handlebar grips. These grips, being old and brittle, required gentle heat application and lubricant to remove without damage. The restored headset, stem, and handlebars collectively improved the aesthetic and functional aspects of the Steve Schwinn bike.
Headset components of the Schwinn Twinn Tandem cleaned and polished, ready for reinstallation.
Headset cups being pressed into the frame of the vintage Schwinn tandem, ensuring proper fitment and alignment.
Headset bearings of the Steve Schwinn bike packed with fresh grease before installation, ensuring smooth steering.
Headset installed on the Schwinn Twinn Tandem frame, showcasing the restored steering assembly.
Stem and handlebars of the vintage Schwinn tandem before cleaning, exhibiting rust and pitting.
Stem of the Steve Schwinn bike before polishing, showing rust and grime accumulation.
Stem and handlebars of the Schwinn Twinn Tandem cleaned and polished, demonstrating significant cosmetic improvement.
Stem and handlebars installed on the vintage Schwinn tandem, completing the steering component restoration.
Rear Handlebars and Front Seat Post: Passenger Comfort Addressed
The rear handlebars and front seat post assembly, crucial for the stoker’s comfort and control on the tandem, were next on the list. Heavily rusted and grimy, with a particularly rough seat post, these components required thorough cleaning and polishing. Disassembly and a soak in soapy water in the crock pot effectively loosened the accumulated dirt. The front seat post, initially quite stuck due to rust, emerged from the polishing process looking significantly improved.
Front seat post and rear handlebars of the Schwinn Twinn Tandem before cleaning, showing rust and wear.
Disassembled front seat post and rear handlebars of the vintage Schwinn tandem, ready for cleaning and restoration.
Rear handlebars of the Steve Schwinn bike partially polished, showing the contrast between before and after.
Seat post and rear handlebars installed on the Schwinn Twinn Tandem after polishing, completing the passenger cockpit.
Front Wheel Restoration: Rolling Smoothly Again
The front wheel disassembly presented its own challenges, with bearing cones stuck to the axle. Penetrating oil and patience were key to separating these components. Despite dry grease, the bearings and bearing surfaces were in good condition. Cleaning the parts in the crock pot and subsequent polishing brought them back to a shine. The rim, heavily rusted and corroded, required considerable elbow grease to clean and polish. Ultimately, the front wheel was restored to a condition where it spun smoothly and looked significantly better.
Front wheel hub of the Schwinn Twinn Tandem before cleaning, showing dirt and aged grease.
Front wheel rim of the vintage Schwinn tandem before restoration, exhibiting rust and corrosion.
Front wheel bearings of the Steve Schwinn bike before cleaning, showing dried grease and dirt.
Front wheel axle components of the Schwinn Twinn Tandem before cleaning, exhibiting old grease and grime.
Front wheel axle of the Steve Schwinn bike polished to a shine, highlighting the restoration of components.
Front wheel hub of the Schwinn Twinn Tandem polished and installed, ready for rim and tire.
Front wheel rim of the vintage Schwinn tandem polished, demonstrating the successful removal of rust and corrosion.
Final Assembly and Detailing: The Steve Schwinn Bike Comes to Life
With the major components restored, the final assembly commenced. Chains were cleaned and lubricated, seat post collars and rear seat post were polished, and the original seats were cleaned and re-tensioned as much as possible. While the seats showed their age in terms of spring support, preserving originality was prioritized. New tires arrived, slightly narrower than the originals, presenting a minor compromise due to availability for the vintage rim sizes. Wider, balloon tires proved difficult to source for the S-7 and S-10 rims.
The chain guard, initially dull and dirty, received careful hand polishing to avoid damaging its faded decals. Even small details like the chain guard bolts were cleaned and polished, highlighting the comprehensive nature of the restoration. New black pedals replaced the unsalvageable originals, a practical choice given the scarcity and expense of period-correct replacements. Final touches included installing the new tires, wiping down the entire bicycle, and applying a protective buff. The Steve Schwinn bike was nearing completion.
Schwinn Twinn Tandem nearing completion, showing the assembled frame, wheels, and components.
Kickstand of the Schwinn Twinn Tandem before cleaning, covered in rust and grime.
Kickstand of the Steve Schwinn bike after cleaning and polishing, showing the restored condition of a small component.
Rear seat and stem of the Schwinn Twinn Tandem before cleaning, showing rust and dullness.
Seat collars of the vintage Schwinn tandem before polishing, exhibiting rust and wear.
Tension wheel of the Steve Schwinn bike before cleaning, showing dirt and aged lubricant.
Tension wheel of the Schwinn Twinn Tandem cleaned, ready for polishing and reinstallation.
Tension wheel of the vintage Schwinn tandem polished, demonstrating the final stage of component restoration.
Front chain installed on the Schwinn Twinn Tandem, completing the drivetrain assembly.
Rear chain installed on the Steve Schwinn bike, completing the drivetrain and gearing system.
Complete drivetrain of the Schwinn Twinn Tandem, showcasing the restored chains, cranks, and gears.
The Finished Steve Schwinn Bike: Ready for the Road
The restoration of this Steve Schwinn bike Twinn Tandem culminated in a fully functional and visually appealing vintage bicycle. Test rides confirmed smooth operation, with the overhauled coaster brake performing effectively, albeit requiring a short break-in period. The chrome gleamed, a testament to the polishing efforts, and the paint, while imperfect, presented well for its age. While a future repaint could be considered for avid riders, the tandem was undeniably ready for many more years of enjoyment. A seasonal application of Turtle Wax Chrome polish is recommended to maintain the chrome’s luster and prevent future rust. This project successfully revived a piece of cycling history, ready to bring the joy of tandem riding to a new generation.
Side view of the finished Steve Schwinn bike Twinn Tandem, showcasing the complete restoration.
Angle view of the restored Schwinn Twinn Tandem, highlighting the gleaming chrome and revived paint.
Rear drivetrain view of the finished Schwinn Twinn Tandem, showcasing the polished components and new tires.
Front drivetrain view of the completed Steve Schwinn bike Twinn Tandem, highlighting the restored crankset and chain.
Rear coaster brake and hub of the finished Schwinn Twinn Tandem, showcasing the polished and overhauled system.
