Author Topic: 1979 Spitfire 5 - Photos Added  (Read 2889 times)

Offline rmwill

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1979 Spitfire 5 - Photos Added
« on: March 19, 2014, 08:10:26 PM »
I just acquired a somewhat cosmetically challenged 1979 drum brake Spitfire 5 that is original except for the seat and rear tire.  Blue, faded decals, late Chicago quality neglected chrome.  Has a Persons springer saddle.  Should I just clean it up and ride it, or powdercoat the frame and restore it?  I know that the minty ones go for silly money.  Would I be better keeping it a survivor?  It is mechanically perfect, shifts great.   

Slideshow:
http://s1272.photobucket.com/user/rmwill/slideshow/1979%20Schwinn%20Spitfire%205

1976 Schwinn Suburban 10 Speed - Blue
1962 Schwinn American - Black
1956 Schwinn Corvette - Black
1978 Schwinn Hollywood - Blue
1963 Schwinn Wasp Heavy Duty - Black
1965 Deluxe Racer - Red
1979 Spitfire 5 - Blue
1971 Manta Ray - Kool Orange
1971 Sting Ray Fastback - Campus Green
1963 Camelback Speedster - Blue
1968 Twinn - Blue

Offline Ozark Flyer

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Re: 1979 Spitfire 5
« Reply #1 on: March 19, 2014, 08:56:47 PM »
I know a lot of folks Powder paint.  It's cheap and durable but it's only original once.  If the paint is salvageable I would clean and ride a survivor.  They're funky cool!
When you rob from Peter to pay Paul, you can always count on having Paul's support.

Offline PhantomRick

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Re: 1979 Spitfire 5
« Reply #2 on: March 19, 2014, 09:33:33 PM »
I think the Person's double spring saddle could be original.... I have only had two Cruiser 5's, but they both had the Person's seat

Offline Mooks

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Re: 1979 Spitfire 5
« Reply #3 on: March 19, 2014, 10:09:46 PM »
Leave the paint original, no question. Paint it, and even if you do a great job, will still look like a glossy reproduction.  Not nice on the eye at all. Scars, give the bike character and a warm, vintage old look.   Do you like seeing 70 year old movie stars with face lifts to look young again? 
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65 Traveler Black
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Offline FICHT 150

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Re: 1979 Spitfire 5
« Reply #4 on: March 19, 2014, 11:37:45 PM »
What is your friend going to do about the chainguard decal? I don't believe there is a reproduction.

Ted
"You never see rust spots under a run in the paint" Ted Senior, R.I.P. 1929-2009.
 '59 Tiger, 5, count ‘em, '67 Raleigh Sprite internal hub 5 speeds,'72 Heavy-Duti '73 Le Tour, 1963 Raleigh Colt, 1972 Peugeot UO8, ‘53 Raleigh Sports Tourist, 4 Raleigh DL1 Roadsters, 1941 Colson Scout.

Offline bartcycle

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Re: 1979 Spitfire 5
« Reply #5 on: March 19, 2014, 11:58:08 PM »
Bummer the Positron cable is severed.  They are getting hard to find.  It should be a nice project bike.

Offline rmwill

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Re: 1979 Spitfire 5
« Reply #6 on: March 20, 2014, 06:27:00 AM »
Thanks for the replies.  I will snap a few photos after I clean it up.   The tires are blackwalls.  Was that correct? 
1976 Schwinn Suburban 10 Speed - Blue
1962 Schwinn American - Black
1956 Schwinn Corvette - Black
1978 Schwinn Hollywood - Blue
1963 Schwinn Wasp Heavy Duty - Black
1965 Deluxe Racer - Red
1979 Spitfire 5 - Blue
1971 Manta Ray - Kool Orange
1971 Sting Ray Fastback - Campus Green
1963 Camelback Speedster - Blue
1968 Twinn - Blue

Offline rmwill

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Re: 1979 Spitfire 5
« Reply #7 on: March 20, 2014, 09:00:20 AM »
GTS58, My paint is in similar shape as the black one.   
1976 Schwinn Suburban 10 Speed - Blue
1962 Schwinn American - Black
1956 Schwinn Corvette - Black
1978 Schwinn Hollywood - Blue
1963 Schwinn Wasp Heavy Duty - Black
1965 Deluxe Racer - Red
1979 Spitfire 5 - Blue
1971 Manta Ray - Kool Orange
1971 Sting Ray Fastback - Campus Green
1963 Camelback Speedster - Blue
1968 Twinn - Blue

Offline rmwill

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1976 Schwinn Suburban 10 Speed - Blue
1962 Schwinn American - Black
1956 Schwinn Corvette - Black
1978 Schwinn Hollywood - Blue
1963 Schwinn Wasp Heavy Duty - Black
1965 Deluxe Racer - Red
1979 Spitfire 5 - Blue
1971 Manta Ray - Kool Orange
1971 Sting Ray Fastback - Campus Green
1963 Camelback Speedster - Blue
1968 Twinn - Blue

Offline rmwill

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Re: 1979 Spitfire 5 - Photos Added
« Reply #9 on: March 22, 2014, 11:08:53 AM »
It seems to have a GT120 deraileur.  Does this make  sense?  It was built on May 17th 1979.
1976 Schwinn Suburban 10 Speed - Blue
1962 Schwinn American - Black
1956 Schwinn Corvette - Black
1978 Schwinn Hollywood - Blue
1963 Schwinn Wasp Heavy Duty - Black
1965 Deluxe Racer - Red
1979 Spitfire 5 - Blue
1971 Manta Ray - Kool Orange
1971 Sting Ray Fastback - Campus Green
1963 Camelback Speedster - Blue
1968 Twinn - Blue

Offline rmwill

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Re: 1979 Spitfire 5 - Photos Added
« Reply #10 on: March 29, 2014, 05:21:59 PM »
Cleaned up and decals applied.

1976 Schwinn Suburban 10 Speed - Blue
1962 Schwinn American - Black
1956 Schwinn Corvette - Black
1978 Schwinn Hollywood - Blue
1963 Schwinn Wasp Heavy Duty - Black
1965 Deluxe Racer - Red
1979 Spitfire 5 - Blue
1971 Manta Ray - Kool Orange
1971 Sting Ray Fastback - Campus Green
1963 Camelback Speedster - Blue
1968 Twinn - Blue

Offline rmwill

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Re: 1979 Spitfire 5 - Photos Added
« Reply #11 on: March 30, 2014, 08:50:16 AM »
It shifts perfectly.  So whitewalls are correct.
1976 Schwinn Suburban 10 Speed - Blue
1962 Schwinn American - Black
1956 Schwinn Corvette - Black
1978 Schwinn Hollywood - Blue
1963 Schwinn Wasp Heavy Duty - Black
1965 Deluxe Racer - Red
1979 Spitfire 5 - Blue
1971 Manta Ray - Kool Orange
1971 Sting Ray Fastback - Campus Green
1963 Camelback Speedster - Blue
1968 Twinn - Blue