Schwinn Super Sport tire problem

[raymeedc]

I've just "completed" converting a Sunset Orange '72 Chicago Super Sport Schwinn road racer into a cruiser (cruiser upright stem/handlebars, Brooks B67 sprung saddle, Campy Crank, Gatorskin tires).
This is my nostalgic ride (I had one back in '72 when I was a young man..... I'm 60 now). This is my problem:
My other mounts are a Rans Cruz & Fusion (both crank forwards) & an early 90's Specialized Stumpjumper which I've also converted to a cruiser. All of these bikes have 2.0 Schwalbe HS338 Big Apple suspension tires (& all are sweet rides).
My Schwinn, with it's original 27" Weinman rims, can only accept skinny tires, of course. While I like the nostalgic ride at times, my butt would be a lot happier if I could widen the rubber &, consequently, lower the tire pressure.
Such being the case, if I went to 700c wheels (or 26?), what would be the max tire width I would be able to get away with? The lower rear frame tubes seems to be the limiting factor, as it doesn't appear to have enough space for anything more than a 1.5, If that is the case, would it be possible to bend the frame a touch (without ruining the frame, of course) to accomodate something wider (it's a Chromolly frame)?

 

[bm0p700f]

Bending the stays will likely widen the dropout spacing which is what you don't want to do. To do what you want you would need to stretch rear triangle tube to push them out without altering the dropout area. That would require heat and the skills of a frame builder. I don't think you coulld cold work the frame this way. How wide you can go with tyres depends on the internal width, measure that and we can advise you.

 

[Goldie]

That sounds like a great (and rare, in the UK) ride - stick some pictures up!!!

 

[raymeedc]

Sounds like too much trouble /expense for questionable final results. Such being the case, I think I'll just appreciate it for what it is. I've become a bit spoiled by the sweet comfortable rides my Crank Forwards & my converted Frankenjumper/Stumpenstein afford. My Schwinn has a Chromolly frame & the sprung Brooks, the tires being the limiting factor (for the ride I'm after, it's a major factor) in my quest.
I'm going to allow my body/psyche the time & experience to work itself into this bike, however. I do appreciate the fact that it provides me with a very different feel, not to mention the nostalgic rush, especially when first mounted in the early stages of a cruise.
I will, when I get a chance, take & post pics when I return home after the coming weekend.