Classic and Vintage Bicycles: What's it Worth? Appraisals and Inquiries - SCHWINN LeTour QUESTIONS

I own two Schwinn LeTour bicycles. One is a mens yellow bike with shimano derailers, made in Japan and serial Number is 4I08654. The other is a womans bike in red, made in Japan, shimano derailer with serial number Z491511. I am trying find determine age and if possible, value of these bicycles. They are in good condition, no rust, everything works but have not been riden in 4 -5 years so I am sure tires need replacing although they hold air just fine. No scratches or dings.

Any information will be appreciated.

Al Z

The der. #'s are silly. The colors help as does your stating LeTour, not Super.....
No pictures, no serial #'s. So possitive IDs are unreasonable given the lack of data.
That line of bikes lasted for ten years. Red ones were common throughout; judging by what I have, the red fem. model might be 1977-80. The yellow (not orange) needs to be a 1976. Yellow is a hot color for Schwinns; red is a good color in general.

These particular LeTours were most likely made in Japan by Panasonic. Though they were hitens steel, the least disireable tube material, they were well made and had OK parts. The wheels were a nice chromed steel, weighed a ton but way strong.

I submit prices, taking into account the VG conditions. Do what you can to rejuv. the tires using a product for car tires from a store. New tires meen little; "good" tires AKA holding air, not TOO crummy are what's important. Lube the chains... etc. The fem. bike can't command much at all, fem. bikes never do, I've paid five to fifteen dollars for fair to excellant fem. Schwinns; you'll be lucky to get over fifty.
Not even worth that but there's no accounting for taste.
The man's bike being yellow could get two hundred. One twenty is actually more than the bike's worth. For some peculiar reason Schwinns, especially yellow ones bring out the irrational side of buyers.

If you're guessing I'm being meen... Guess again !
Those bikes, brand new cost one sixty four and for just over two, chrmly. bikes could be had.

Schwinn used the LeTour name to cover many, many years, and a lot of quality levels. Just check the date code on the headbadge, it will tell you when it was made. Late 70s/early 80s LeTours are pretty low end bikes (I just picked up two myself). Steel rims? Do they look anything like these? I didn't pay much for these two, they have good tires, and are pretty close to ready to go. They just don't have much value...

The women's bike below is a 1979 model, LeTour IV:
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2567/4023781617_9385b7eb98.jpg


The men's bike below is a 1982 LeTour:
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2599/4023781521_f5082edc55.jpg

I thought the number was on the lower left of the frame by the rear axle. Those numbers were: RED Z491511 and YELLOW 4I08654 so I was thinking 1984. Is there another number somewhere else? (I apologize for my lack of knowledge on this subject)

I thought the number was on the lower left of the frame by the rear axle. Those numbers were: RED Z491511 and YELLOW 4I08654 so I was thinking 1984. Is there another number somewhere else? (I apologize for my lack of knowledge on this subject)

I understood derailer, you meant near it I guess. The #'s might work.

I thought the number was on the lower left of the frame by the rear axle. Those numbers were: RED Z491511 and YELLOW 4I08654 so I was thinking 1984. Is there another number somewhere else? (I apologize for my lack of knowledge on this subject)

Yes, there is a number on the headbadge, which will tell you the exact day the bike was made.

No, .. #'s tuff on those Schwinns. ANYWAY, wouldn't effect the price much, the condition as you've stated is what the bikes have in their favor, along with the one being yellow. As for "needing" to be sure of the exact year, photos ? If you sold 'em, you could list 'em as a range of years "late '70s" for example, e-bay always has such listed, most all e-bayers don't care at all, mostly forum members do.

As for "needing" to be sure of the exact year, photos ? If you sold 'em, you could list 'em as a range of years "late '70s" for example, e-bay always has such listed, most all e-bayers don't care at all, mostly forum members do.

+1 Value doesn't change up or down if you are off a couple of years. You can just list it as a 1978 for example. Or 1981, or whatever.

As far as numbers, Schwinn has just about the best. I don't know another manufacturer that puts the date of manufacture right on the headbadge.

When I bought the ones I pictured above, seller was convinced they were 1985 or newer. They weren't. One badge was 1979, the other was 1982. A savvy buyer will look past any year, and directly at all components and frame material of construction.