1982 Schwinn Sidewinder SWI-0 single speed

BMX-styled single speed variant (SWI-0) of the legendary 1982 Schwinn Sidewinder. 

01
01
02
02
03
03
04
04
05
05
06
06
07
07
08
08
09
09
10
10
11
11
12
12
13
13
14
14
15
15
16
16
17
17
18
18
19
19
20
20
21
21
22
22
23
23
24
24
25
25
26
26
27
27
28
28
29
29
30
30
31
31
32
32
33
33
34
34
35
35
36
36
37
37
38
38
39
39
40
40
41
41
42
42
43
43
44
44
45
45
46
46
47
47
48
48
49
49
50
50
51
51
52
52
53
53
54
54
55
55

Before-and-after

b01
b01
b02
b02
b03
b03
b04
b04
b05
b05
b06
b06
b07
b07
b08
b08
b09
b09
b10
b10
b11
b11
b12
b12
b13
b13
b14
b14

CJ is riding a dream machine

CJ Schwinn 02
CJ Schwinn 03
CJ Schwinn 05
CJ Schwinn 04
CJ Schwinn 01
CJ Schwinn 10
CJ Schwinn 06
CJ Schwinn 09
CJ Schwinn helmet 1
CJ Schwinn helmet
cj agent orange

History

The official 1982 Schwinn Catalog called this bike a survivor. In 2020 my friend CJ brought this bike’s rusted remains to me, together with “Pacifica eats metal” sticker. I took it as a personal challenge to go through meticulous restoration of this survivor. 

Every component of this bike was cleaned, de-rusted, overhauled, lubed, assembled, and tuned up. CJ picked an awesome frame color and several new components. Restoration process took several weeks – it was not easy to find proper replacement for quality vintage components. Check these unsorted restoration photos.

Restoration Pics

01
01
02
02
03
03
04
04
05
05
06
06
07
07
08
08
09
09
10
10
11
11
12
12
13
13
14
14
15
15
16
16
17
17
18
18
19
19
20
20
21
21
22
22
23
23
24
24
25
25
26
26
27
27
28
28
29
29
30
30
31
31
32
32
33
33
34
34
35
35
36
36
37
37
38
38
39
39

Components

  • Frame: SWI-0 electro-forged steel #ET507400, originally painted in Frosty Silver Blue, then repainted in Pop Mustang 
  • Wheels: 26″ Araya aluminum rims, rebuilt/repacked sealed hubs, new stainless spokes and alloy nipples
  • Tires: CST Metropolitan Palm Bay 26×2.35″ City/Commuter
  • Rim strips: Ztto 26×20
  • Inner tubes: XLC 26″x2.3/2.75″, presta valve
  • Brakes: Dia-Compe caliper brakes and pads
  • Brake levers: Velo-Orange Designs 
  • Bottom Bracket: Tange sealed 68mm 110.5mm spindle 
  • Freewheel: ACS Main Drive 18t 1/8″ Silver
  • Stem: MX-550 BMX alloy
  • Handlebar: custom, I have no idea where CJ got them, but they look and feel incredible!
  • Handlebar grips: Mongoose
  • Cables and housings: Jagwire LEX-3L silver braided slick lube
  • Headbadge: new original Schwinn
  • Cranks: Origin8 
  • Chain: KMC Z410 silver, single speed
  • Nuts: custom spiked nuts, chromed
  • Saddle: Accumont, riveted springed leather