Classic & Vintage - Help with my new old Schwinn (le tour?)

I just bought an old Schwinn for a few bucks and am a litle curious about what it is. It doesn't appear to have been repainted because there are stickers exposed from the bike shop, a schwinn warning about wet tires and braking, 1020 AISI, and Schwinn xtra lite. There are no decals anywhere. It's a metallic blue but there is a rustoleum color underneath. Cotterless "supermaxy" cranks. I am thinking it's a Le Tour.
Here's what's driving me nuts. Serial starts with SI, headbadge 2989--everything I've come across says they stopped putting the letter I or O in the serials. There is no mistaking this for an "I". Has to be an "I". It's on the left dropout, by the way. Where was this bike made and when?

Thanks!

It was built the the 298th day of probably 1979 as a 1980 model. Head badge numbers decode as the first three are the day of the year and the last number is the year. The type of materials indicate late 70s early 80s that why its a 1979. The did use 0 in head badges. Roger

Thank you for the reply, Roger. I was leaning toward 79 as opposed to 89, myself. Sounds like it was made a little before Halloween!
As far as the O, I was referring to the serial number (located on the rear left dropout, btw) vs the headbadge number. I was looking at some websites and they all say they didn't use an I or O (as in Ohio) because it might look like a one or zero. But it's definitely an "I". I don't know.
Might this have been built in Chicago?

Might this have been built in Chicago?

Yes. '79 and '80 were the only two years le tours were built in Chicago. And the bike was definitely assembled in '79 instead of '89 since it's made of 1020 steel.

Certainly sounds like a 79, as the Schwinns made around 79 or 80 had top and downtube decals that flaked off easily, while most other decals on the bike remained intact. I've seen dozens of them with partial or entire model name decals gone. Does it have the long chromed levers mounted on a bracket in the headset, instead of the stem?,,,,BD

Does it have the long chromed levers mounted on a bracket in the headset, instead of the stem?,,,,BD

Yes, the levers are on the headset. Lever, I should say, the left one is gone.

The other funny thing about this bike, I've never seen this before, was that the front wheel had a quick release but there was also some sort of safety levers in addition that made it impossible to remove until they were released. Pretty interesting.

The other funny thing about this bike, I've never seen this before, was that the front wheel had a quick release but there was also some sort of safety levers in addition that made it impossible to remove until they were released. Pretty interesting.

I think these are pretty common actually. Had them on my 1989 and have them on my 1985, both Weinmann rims and Maillard hubs.

I've only seen the safety catches on Schwinns, does anyone know if those were found on other brands as well?,,,,BD

Myxlplyk, we need pics!:D

Yes, the levers are on the headset. Lever, I should say, the left one is gone.

I believe I can help you out with replacement shifters. If they are the same used on Varsity--Continental--- Super Sport--- and look like the one below, I have either the whole assembly or just the lever I can send you. Let me know. Best of luck on your project.

http://www.geocities.com/sldbowners2/1972/72vompg06.jpg

They might be the ones with the larger heads shaped like this )( from the side. My 74 SS has those, so logic would say that after at least 73 the shift levers had changed. I like the older ones of course. They're more graceful looking.,,,,BD

They might be the ones with the larger heads shaped like this )( from the side. My 74 SS has those, so logic would say that after at least 73 the shift levers had changed. I like the older ones of course. They're more graceful looking.,,,,BD

...and the older ones would get the job done just as well as the newer ones. Friction shifting compatability is nearly universal! :)