Rim strength vs tire pressure question

"archer" wrote in message
...
My old Schwinn LeTank has been running for at least the last 20 years on
the same set of tires, and they have served me well. Now that I've been
riding more (over the last two years), they have finally reached the end
of their useful life. They are Schwinn branded 27 by 1-1/4 tires rated
at 85 psi, which is where I keep them.

The rims are steel and are in good condition, with only a very few tiny
rust spots on the inner surface (toward the hub). Am I likely to be safe
putting some smaller, higher-pressure tires in the 100 - 120 psi range on
these rims to reduce my rolling resistance, or should I stick to the
larger 80 - 90 psi tires?

1. Make sure you have "normal" rims, not the Schwinn proprietary rim design
that needs special tires.
Any LBS that used to have "Schwinn" in the name can tell.

2. In some cases, there can be problems with the tires failing to hold the
rim, even if it's a "normal" rim.
I suffered from this on old steel rims even at 90 psi, and finally just
pitched them and got new aluminum rims. (They are a lot safer in the rain,
as well.)

3. Can you even get 120 psi tires in a 27 inch size any more? What's
available from whom?