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Chris at thick might be able to fix it. At te very least he would know if it's even worth fixing.

Something about your story leads me to think rust is involved. The little slot at the seat post clamp can let a lot of water in, esp if you don't have fenders. Look at the inside of the tube where it broke and look for rust. If it's rusty inside, can the frame. Use a rust proofing in your next one.

I have an 88 Schwinn Traveler 23”/59cm True Temper CroMo frame (no fork) that I’m not doing anything with if you are interested. It’s a good frame and the Traveler was sort of a touring style bike with the rack mounts. I was going to make a single speed out of it but it’s a bit to small for me. PM if you want some pics.

"alternately, anyone have a tig welder and some tubing and a power sander?"

TIG is certainly the best process, but from everything I've read a mig welder will weld 4130 just fine. I've done it myself once. Oxyacetylene welding works on 4130 too, although it is pretty challenging. If you want to try welding this yourself with mig or oxyacetylene, let me know as I have the equipment.

cburch and jacob: I was half kidding about welding it - it's probably what most people would call "not worth it." It'd be cool! But this is a 30 year old schwinn world-sport; people have already made fun of me for putting so much effort into it, but I built it at free-ride and was pretty attached to it. That being said, welding RULES.

edmonds: I will let you know about rust next I check it. I bet you're right!

what brand is the frame? if it's a trek they might warranty it.

Also regarding swapping parts, the biggest issue with swapping parts is usually the bottom bracket. There are 3 different threadings/sizes that it might be, but for a bike that age, you should probably just can the BB and get a new sealed bearing BB. If it has a nice crankset, you should be able to find a sealed BB with a square taper spindle to fit. Probably a $30+- item, but the BB is kind of the "heart" of the bike, worth it.

Next most problematic would be the headset, if you can find a frame with a good headset already in it, bonus. Otherwise, I wouldn't try swapping one, get a new one, preferably sealed. I can't think of the anatomical analogy for the headset.

All the other parts are probably swappable, but it's kind of trial and error. Many people seem to keep collections of random extra parts that they could part with. If you run into something you need, throw out the specific inquiry.

brakes could be an issue, depending on the type and reach of your current brakes and the drillings/braze-ons that your newfound frame will have.

additionally, if your front derailleur is a clamp-on, and the clamp is part of the derailleur body, you might have to get a frame with a similarly sized seat tube to reuse it.

I'd bet the BB is a standard BSA/68mm English threaded BB, unless it has a one piece crank, in that case the parts are probably not worth swapping.

All the stuff Hidden Variable mentioned is a better bet for problems in additions to fork/headset/stem/handlebar issues.

If you have to swap the parts over you best bet is to stick to a similar vintage bike. Buying something more modern like the $200 Civia frames sold through QBP will cause you to buy a lot of parts.

Having cracked 3 old frames (Trek, Motobecane, Specialized) I got replacement frames for the first 2 through lifetime guarantees, but not all parts worked on the new frames. The Specialized Stumpjumper had changed so much, they said virtually nothing would tranfer, but they did offer any Specialized bike in the shop at hugely reduced retail price- I seem to remember 50%.

Even though i was not the original owner of the Moto, they honored their lifetime guarantee. I would check with a Schwinn dealer before doing anything.

And yes, I think it was rust- that is where my old Trek broke. The new frame received some treatment after I noted some rusting around the bottom bracket, which I repainted.

Schwinn filed bankruptcy in 1992 and any lifetime waranty for a bike made before they filed was voided.

Okay, so what I'm getting is...

Maybe: front derailleur, crankset, brakes

Probably not: headset/fork

Probably yes: everything else

Interesting about the warrantees, I had figured that was no luck considering it was a freeride bike. But since schwinn went bankrupt, I guess it's a moot point anyway.

I guess to clarify my thinking, depending on the frame you get;

Bottom bracket, headset - probably not, plan on getting new

Maybe - everything else

Find a frame you like and go from there.

Other good option, don't go looking specifically for a frame, look for used complete bikes with a frame you like that still has a lot of the parts. A lot of times, people who have the ability/knowledge to dismantle a bike to the frame will want more $ for the bare frame than someone might want to just unload a whole bike. Just thinking.

Okay, I got greasefoot's schwinn traveler, and it's up and running! I also learned how to install a new headset and fork, and got one of my favourite jerry kraynick stories yet.

Another positive note: though the frame didn't have seatstay mounts for a rack, I got the little pieces from thick, and a friend is going to teach me to braze them on. Sweet!

This is where y'all might come in:

Any of you brazers out there have any 56% silver brazing rod that you could sell me one of? The store I checked, and online shops too, only sell packs of it, and they are expensive! This is such a tiny project, I'm sure I only need one rod. Any help?

I know I have some old silver brazing rod; I can't say whether it is 56%. I think the brand name is Silvaloy. You can have a good bit of it. Send me a private message to make arrangements to pick it up.