Classic & Vintage - Schwinn Super Sport - Vintage 1970s

Hi everyone, I own a Schwinn Super Sport, men's, 27",
burgendy in color all original parts except for saddle, which
is English-made, leather; in mint, really mint, condition.
It also has the Schwinn generator-powered lights of the
'70s. Anyway, I am thinking about exchanging it for a
tandem (twin or double) bike, but I have no idea of how
much this Schwinn is worth.

Any idea?

I bought one last year for $20 at a yard sale.

If you could post some pictures that would help.

The fillet-brazed Chicago Schwinns are great riding bikes. If it is all original and in good condition you will have some interested parties. Here in Denver a mint condition SS can go for as high as $180

Two weeks ago at a LBS bike swap a pretty nice one sold very early in the swap for 100.00. This is in northern Minnesota.

I paid ten bucks for this one, but it was at a thrift store. It wasn't this nice when I started, but close.I would take no less than $200 if I were planning to sell it. I am not planning to sell it anytime soon.,,,,BD


http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n267/Kustombyker/SSalmostdone.jpg

A few months ago, I sold a 1964 SuperSport to a collector for $250. I was only asking $125 but that was after I had removed the saddle & stem/bars/brake levers for separate sale. It had very good paint & the original owners manual with notes by the owner. The original Brooks B15 saddle was in good condition and the Ambrosio track bars with ambrosio adjustable stem plus the Weinman brake levers with "red button" brake release are very scarce. The buyer offered $250 for everything & I agreed mostly to keep the bike original, despite being able to get more $$ selling the parts on e-Bay. This is probably the most you could expect for the whole bike but, depending on condition & the specific parts on your bike, you might be able to make more $$ by disassembling & selling the parts separately. Don

Which bars did they come with anyway? Mine had a set of AVA's with no crests, and no upturn on the
uprights. They were supposed to have the same randonneur type as the Continental right?,,,,BD

Which bars did they come with anyway? Mine had a set of AVA's with no crests, and no upturn on the
uprights. They were supposed to have the same randonneur type as the Continental right?,,,,BD

I am almost positive the randonneur bend is correct (and VERY popular in the early 1970s; my 1971 Nishiki came with randonneur bars, as well), but the SS may have come with aluminum bars, instead of the Conti's steels.

Conti's came with alloy bars and stems. Collegiate sports and Varsity's came with steel bars and stems, IIRC.,,,,BD

Hi again everyone,
I have tried unsuccesfully to upload pictures of the Schiwnn Super Sport, men's, 27" burgendy bike.
By the serial number it seems circa 1963.
Anyway, the bike is in excellent condition. The saddle, "Brooks B-15" leather, is in fair condition.
New tubes and tires; ready to ride or collect.

Schwinn or "Schwinn-Approved" parts, including front and rear generator-powered lights.

"Crome Molybdenum" material; made in Chicago.

It also has a "zefal sp4" air pump and an "Equus" computer.

Special thanks for those who have post that are giving me an idea of how much it is worth.

Rose13

A 63 model would be worth more than a 70's model, simply for the fact that it most likely has
forged dropouts! They stopped doing that on 71 models if my history is correct. Please email me a pic of the RIGHT side of the bike, like my picture above. Best pictures are taken from about level with the top tube or just below, and from about 10 to 15 feet away. Try to fill the frame with the bike, without clipping anything off. Solid background, or outdoors with the nearest object several 40-50 feet away. I'm sure everyone here will want to at least see this bike! It should be VERY nice, given the vintage.,,,,BD

Send picture to ninety-eight1 (AT) earthlink.net without the spaces and correct "at" symbol.

The Schwinn Super Sport, according to the bigining of its serial number, "J 0" should have
had a date of manufacture of September, 1970.
Also, the strap around the handle bar looks new.
Rose13

. . . Anyway, I am thinking about exchanging it for a
tandem (twin or double) bike, but I have no idea of how
much this Schwinn is worth.

Any idea?

Rose, nobody on this forum can tell you accurately what your bike is worth.
You have to put it up for sale in the largest market possible, and that is usually
ebay.

Something is "worth" what the market will bear.

ECO 101;)

There wouldn't be an O or a zero as the second position? Same with I and 1. It was to avoid confusion when reading them? A 1970 would have a JF prefix. Could it be a Q, that would make it a 79?,,,,BD

Where is the serial number located? On the rear dropout, or on the head tube on the right side?

Let me see if I get this right... (as a newbie, I still don't know the bike parts by their names!)
What I think is the serial number, is located in the front (below the handlebars), just below the
metal "Schwinn" plate.
Rose13

Yep, that would be the location. If it was older than 70, it would be elsewhere....

Well, there was a JO S/N series in 1960, but the location under the headbadge means 70 or 71 up model. I'm not sure of the cutoff year. My 71 Continental is a JG (July of 71), a 1970 would be F as the second letter. Could the O actually be a Q??,,,,BD

http://www.geocities.com/sldatabook/publications.html

The first year for the Super Sport was '64.

According to Mike Rother's article on Sheldon Brown's website, the Super Sport was made from 1964-1973. "Before 1965 serial numbers were stamped onto a rear dropout. Beginning in 1965 serial numbers were moved to the head tube and the following date system was used for all Schwinns except Paramounts. The letter at the beginning of the serial number indicates the month of manufacture, skipping the letter "I." For example, "A" = January, "B" = February, and "J" = September. The second letter of the serial number indicates the year of manufacture (not the model year), beginning with "A" = 1965. Skip the letter I & O. Sports Tourer KH017873, for example, was built in October 1972."

http://www.sheldonbrown.com/schwinn-braze.html

If the serial number is on the headtube, not on a dropout (thingy the rear axle goes into), the second character in the serial number must belong to this set: [A (year=1965) through H (year=1972) or J (year=1973)].

According to Bob Hufford's Schwinn Lightweight Data Bible, er, Book, the color Burgundy was offered only in 1971.

Thus, Rose, your bike is almost certainly a 1971. See The Book entry here:

http://www.geocities.com/sldatabook/detail7074.html#1971supersport

In 1971, this bike cost $136.95. In 2007 dollars, that's $694.39.

Eric

Ah, 1964 24" Sky Blue Super Sport with original Brooks in good condition, where are you my darling?

Or your tall, beautiful younger sister, 1972 26" Opaque Blue Super Sport?

Long time passing.

Sigh.

Oops, didn't mean to give any false info. Did they stop making the frames in 1973? I know I've seen bikes assembled later than that. The ebay 77 for example, the guy stuck to his story even after he was told about the badge showing assembly date. My opaque blue is dated mid 73, but is nearly all late 74 dated parts.,,,,BD

Slightly off-point, but since we're discussing Super Sports, I'm interested in how the Japanese-made lugged frames fit into the lineage, if someone knows. I believe they were made by Panasonic. Here's a couple shots of mine:
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/131/382819753_1e2722aa67.jpg?v=0

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/136/382819756_44201f59aa.jpg?v=0
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/125/382819755_aaafeed1af.jpg?v=0

Here's a finished ebay Super Sport (http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=280108039458&ru=http%3A%2F%2Fsearch.ebay.com%3A80%2Fsearch%2Fsearch.dll%3Ffrom%3DR40%26satitle%3D280108039458%26c ategory0%3D%26fvi%3D1) auction for one that looks close to new condition. Sold for $350 and about $79 more for shipping. I've seen thrashed Super Sports and wasn't very impressed but that yellow one looks nice.

That's interesting, BD. The article on Sheldon's site (or was it somebody in an earlier post?) stresses that SNs give you the date of manufacture, not the model year. Also, I think we've heard enough stories from reputable sources about companies selling bikes or frames left over from previous years to make strange combinations possible.

Damn, baby! :love:

http://homepages.peakpeak.com/~rsamuel/bicycleschwinn2.jpg

Slightly off-point, but since we're discussing Super Sports, I'm interested in how the Japanese-made lugged frames fit into the lineage, if someone knows. I believe they were made by Panasonic. Here's a couple shots of mine:
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/131/382819753_1e2722aa67.jpg?v=0

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/136/382819756_44201f59aa.jpg?v=0
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/125/382819755_aaafeed1af.jpg?v=0

This looks like a job for Scooper Man! Is he still around?

I am so glad you guys brought all this all together for me tonight as I have had questions on my two super sports . Going by the info I have one made in 4/67 and one from 1/72 .But they are totally different bikes .67 lugged frame sugino crank diacomp brakes suntour derailers. 72onepiece crank suntour center pull brakes all on a butted frame. Interressttinng!

That lemon early model with forged drops!! I am seriously drooling over here, lol!!,,,,BD


I was also under the impression that all SS's were fillet brazed? Post a pic of this 67 model!!!! With Suntour, Dia Compe, and Sugino, it sounds like a mid to late 80's bike? The 72 should have weinmann schwinn approved centerpulls...

Slightly off-point, but since we're discussing Super Sports, I'm interested in how the Japanese-made lugged frames fit into the lineage, if someone knows. I believe they were made by Panasonic. Here's a couple shots of mine:
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/131/382819753_1e2722aa67.jpg?v=0

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/136/382819756_44201f59aa.jpg?v=0
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/125/382819755_aaafeed1af.jpg?v=0

I'm pretty sure yours is a 1981 or 1982. Look for the four digit number stamped into the headbadge. the first three digits are the day of the year, the fourth digit the year of manufacture.

Here's a link with catalog pages http://www.bikeforums.net/showpost.php?p=2109309&postcount=2

Here's a link with the price sheet: http://home.mchsi.com/~lhufford/82prices2.jpg

This model was second only to the Superior, there was no Paramount during this period. There were two models, the Super Sport, and the Super Sport S/P. Same frame. the latter had upgraded components. $549 and $649 respectively (the Superior was $881).

Its a great riding bike, sport touring geometry, and a lovely frame--dig how the seat stays curve where they meet the top tube lug. Double butted Tange #2 tubing, except on the 25" frame which was single butted (straight gauge?) for strength.

Slightly off-point, but since we're discussing Super Sports, I'm interested in how the Japanese-made lugged frames fit into the lineage, if someone knows. I believe they were made by Panasonic. Here's a couple shots of mine:
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/131/382819753_1e2722aa67.jpg?v=0

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/136/382819756_44201f59aa.jpg?v=0
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/125/382819755_aaafeed1af.jpg?v=0

Here's my 1981 SS:

http://www.k1wd.com/misc/bike/wils-bikes/images/P1310199.jpg

- Wil

Thanks for all that great info. I totally agree with MRMW that it's a great riding bike. Agile yet supple, and the cyclone derailleurs shift like butter. This was a very happy ebay find last year.

BTW, Wil Davis, you hung your mini-blind upside down.

Nah, it's so light he has to keep it hooked to the floor so it won't float away;),,,,BD

Hi everyone, I own a Schwinn Super Sport, men's, 27",
burgendy in color all original parts except for saddle, which
is English-made, leather; in mint, really mint, condition.
It also has the Schwinn generator-powered lights of the
'70s. Anyway, I am thinking about exchanging it for a
tandem (twin or double) bike, but I have no idea of how
much this Schwinn is worth.

Any idea?
Its collectable. Its chromo straight gauge 4130 fillet brazed steel tubing. On the outside, it looks like the electro-forged Schwinn Continental, which is why many people didn't realize the frame construction. This is right next to the Paramount and made with the same fillet-brazing process! Schwinn didn't highlight its value and people didn't know it was a true lightweight Chicago Schwinn bicycle.

Norman for what its worth it is next to the Paramounts in the line up but Paramounts are not fillet brazed. Paramounts are brazed lugged construction. Roger

Its collectable. Its chromo straight gauge 4130 fillet brazed steel tubing. On the outside, it looks like the electro-forged Schwinn Continental, which is why many people didn't realize the frame construction. This is right next to the Paramount and made with the same fillet-brazing process! Schwinn didn't highlight its value and people didn't know it was a true lightweight Chicago Schwinn bicycle.

It is NOT next to the Paramount - I believe the Sports Tourer was, if I'm not mistaken. For that matter, the Paramount, as rhenning said, is NOT fillet-brazed, it is lugged.

Where the heck are you getting your information from?

-Kurt

It is NOT next to the Paramount - I believe the Sports Tourer was, if I'm not mistaken. For that matter, the Paramount, as rhenning said, is NOT fillet-brazed, it is lugged.

Where the heck are you getting your information from?

-Kurt

Well, except for the rear brake bridge. That at least was fillet brazed.

I have a friend who owned and then resold a gorgeous, minty chrome '62 Super Sport. Wonder if I can track down pics of that bike somewhere. Had a beautiful Titan stem and the whole nine yards.

Well, except for the rear brake bridge. That at least was fillet brazed.

http://forums.snapstream.com/vb/images/smilies/headscratch.gif

That alone does NOT make the Paramount a fillet-brazed bike.

-Kurt

P.S.: Am I getting crankier, or are there more and more dummkopfs popping up every day on this forum?

:rolleyes:

That alone does NOT make the Paramount a fillet-brazed bike.

-Kurt

P.S.: Am I getting crankier, or are there more and more dummkopfs popping up every day on this forum?

No, just people with a sense of humor you apparently don't share.

No, just people with a sense of humor you apparently don't share.

That was humor? Believe it or not, I took you seriously on that (!)

My apologies.

-Kurt

That was humor? Believe it or not, I took you seriously on that (!)

My apologies.

-Kurt

My fault. I should know better by now. My sense of humor translates poorly in my own house, so it should be no surprise that would happen here. I have to learn how to use more of those face things to illustrate my point.

I have a friend who owned and then resold a gorgeous, minty chrome '62 Super Sport. Wonder if I can track down pics of that bike somewhere. Had a beautiful Titan stem and the whole nine yards.I hope you have a pic of the serial number as well as I've only seen Super Sports going back to late '63 serial numbered bikes (a couple of them chrome). Considering the bike was introduced as a '64 model, I'd be really surprised to see a '62 ... (unless it was a Superior frame that was stripped, polished and redecaled). Interesting ... :)

Bob

I hope you have a pic of the serial number as well as I've only seen Super Sports going back to late '63 serial numbered bikes (a couple of them chrome). Considering the bike was introduced as a '64 model, I'd be really surprised to see a '62 ... (unless it was a Superior frame that was stripped, polished and redecaled). Interesting ... :)

Bob

My bad, Bob: I just double checked and it is indeed a Superior. I'm sure you already know the bike. Not only am I apparently not funny, I'm not even accurate.

Pics of the chrome, ahem, "Superior" are here, BTW, in case anyone's interested:

http://www.wooljersey.com/gallery/v/Tom-Sanders-Pictures/1962+Full+Chrome+Schwinn+Superior/

Nice bike, very pretty! Great condition! Thanks!

- Wil

CudaK888 in 1968 the year of my brown Super sport it was one step below a Paramount. Might be the only year though. Here are a couple of pictures of my extra SS frame. It is a 1973 and when I bought it it was the wheels and some other small things. I decided to do something with it and over the last couple of days put it back together with parts floating around the house. Roger

It is NOT next to the Paramount - I believe the Sports Tourer was, if I'm not mistaken. For that matter, the Paramount, as rhenning said, is NOT fillet-brazed, it is lugged.

Where the heck are you getting your information from?

-Kurt

You're correction is noted. The Paramount IS a very nice high end bicycle... still being made in Waterford, Wisconsin, ironically, by the grandsons of the Schwinn firm after the Chicago factory shut down. The rest of the Chicago line were just well built bicycles. Back in its heyday, Schwinn was the Goliath of the American bicycle industry.

You're correction is noted. The Paramount IS a very nice high end bicycle... still being made in Waterford, Wisconsin, ironically, by the grandsons of the Schwinn firm after the Chicago factory shut down. The rest of the Chicago line were just well built bicycles. Back in its heyday, Schwinn was the Goliath of the American bicycle industry.Actually the Paramount name is still owned by Schwinn (currently owed by Pacific). Waterford Precision Cycles is co-owned by Richard Schwinn, the younger brother of Edward Schwinn (who was running the long time family owned Schwinn company at the time of the 1993 sell-out). Waterford did build Paramounts for Schwinn both before and after the bankruptcy (just for a short while). Paramounts were last built in 1998-2000 by match (steel) and Serrota (titanium). Edward Schwinn now owns a cheese store ...

Bob

Edward Schwinn now owns a cheese store ...

Bob

That's a cheezy excuse for a manager!

Sorry, couldn't resist!

-Kurt

Edward Schwinn now owns a cheese store ...

Bob

Does the cheese come in training wheels?