Classic & Vintage Bicycle Appraisals and Inquiries - Continental?

I am probably going to buy it tomorrow just for something for my girl and I to work on and flip in the spring. Model wise, where is this bike at in the line up? Anyone know the year? She said it measures 22" from the middle of the BB to the top of the seat tube which would make it roughly 55 cm, correct? Let me know what I should pay if interested. She said there is a little rust on the seat tube and front fork. She is the original owner.

Thanks,
Free

No way to know the year without a bit of information and pictures. Schwinn made the Continental for about 25 years.

In the world of Bike Boom era Schwinn 10 speeds, it is usually slotted nearer the bottom than the top.

Just taking a wild guess at the year of this bike, here is the lineup for 1973.

http://www.geocities.com/sldbretail/1973/73rtl0101b.jpg

OK well thanks for your efforts. Anyone else have any good info on this bike? Is it even worth gettng for $30, putting $30 into and flipping for $130 in the spring....or I guess trying to flip in the spring?

We won't know till you post some pics and describe the bike's condition.

$130 is at the top end of what a mint shape Continental would sell for in a vibrant bicycle city.

Hmm...ok well thats too bad lol. I was really hoping to find something on the nicer end. Oh well I will jsut wait for some garage sales I think more toward Spring time!

Next to the very bottom. I had one back in1972. It was a very heavy bike, built like a tank, and was like riding one.

You are really better off looking for something with a good frame and decent to better parts. Look for alloy cranks and rims and a cromoly frame. If you are looking for a project, that should be your minimum target.

Just reread your comment, if it is $30 and the frame is straight, and the paint is good, then go with it. Then watch your spending carefully.

FWIW...I just sold my '75 Conti two weeks ago for $150...I was the bike's second owner and it was in excellent, all orginal condition.

That is one nice chestnut Conti. You did well.

That is one nice chestnut Conti. You did well.

Thanks....it's a beautiful bike....but, with picking up a '73 Super Sport and a '75 Super Course Mk 2 this winter (plus the '90 World Sport that's in the background of that photo) I knew the Conti would be the "odd bike out" once it gets warmer, and I just don't have the space to keep a lot of bikes, so I wanted to sell it to someone who would use and appreciate it...it became a lucky new owner's Christmas present....:)

$30 is not a bad price for a Conti regarding cleaning and that is already ride ready. If not then work the owner down for tires and tubes, then regular maintenance.

Of course the year of the bike and condition of the paint will be a big factor.

If a 70s model the serial number will reveal the frame built, the first letter will indicate month (A - M, no I for Jan - Dec), the second letter will be the year, A - 1965, no I, J = 73, no O, N = 77, through 1982 a T.

IIRC 1975 they started imprinting the final assembly day on to the head badge, the first 3 digits will indicate the day of the year, the last digit the year, to determine and confirm the decade, you will need to match paint color and decal type against the catalogs.

I like the Contis, very durable, as I am 2XL size rider, never a frame issue. Still have 2 1980 models, one a road style for tours, and another in tourist style for leisure rides upright.

The road style I changed the wheel set to alloys from a donor bike, took the weight down to match my Super Sport.

If you are discussing a step through frame, this may generate more interest come spring. Weight is not a issue for riders seeking this style, and the with horizontal drop outs, even conversion interest to single is strong.

It will depend more on your location to determine result pricing.

I would take a look, if clean, the components will be dependable, and well worth $30.

It is the highest level electro forge Schwinn made, good clean lines with strong following in several markets. Of course the middle weights and Varsity are the steps below. Cromoly and fillet-brazed frames started on the Super Sport and Sports Tourer, carried onto the Superior in the 70s. With Paramounts at the top of the pyramid.

Wow a lot of very good info. Seems as you have done your fair share of homework on Shwinns!! Good work thank you very much bab!