NOS replacement parts installed on my Schwinn
© by Chris Watson
In this context, NOS means “new old stock” (an oxymoron?), meaning original parts that have never been used, sometimes still in the original packaging. NOS in other contexts can mean “Not Otherwise Specified” and “Numbers.”
—This photograph shows the NOS front brakes, NOS brake handles, and NOS shift levers all installed on the bicycle.
Until last weekend, the brake handle for my right hand operated the rear brake. As this photograph shows, it is now my left hand that operates the rear brake. My right hand is over the body of my guitar unless I need to use both brakes to stop.
This is another view of the NOS components installed on the bicycle. I like the red dots on the brake handles and the smooth chrome (no pits yet) of the replacement gear shift levers.
The headlight is mounted underneath the handlebars instead of above as designed, a matter of personal preference. Since I didn't want the manufacturer's logo to show upside down, I just painted it over black.
This photograph shows the NOS rear brakes and the NOS spoke protector installed. One of the NOS block pedals is visible through the wheel. A stock Sportabout has “rat trap” pedals instead of these, but mine had block pedals when I got it.
It might be hard to tell from this picture, but the chain is in good shape and freshly lubricated with generous helpings of Pedro's Ice Wax. It is the same chain that was on this bicycle when I first got it more than twenty years and twenty thousand miles ago. The other parts mentioned are brand new and installed this year.
By the chain shown in this photograph was replaced with a brand-new KMC Z30 Chain.
This is the same derailleur that was on the bicycle when I first got it more than twenty years and twenty thousand miles ago.
It is a SunTour V‑GT Luxe, one of the best derailleurs for road bikes of its period. It has the slant parallelogram design that made SunTour derailleurs the best from 1964 until 1984 when their patent ran out and some other companies copied their design.
By the used derailleur shown in this photograph was replaced with a NOS derailleur of the same type.
all photographs on this page are from