Classic and Vintage Bicycles: What's it Worth? Appraisals and Inquiries - Pictures of the mystery schwinn 12 speed

Pictures of the Schwinn 12 speed are attached. What is it?

Something close to a 1986 traveler althought I can't find one in that color.

Peruse the 1987 catalogs and you will find it.

It was repainted black and looks like a spray can job. It might have been red before the paint job. Second look it was pink.

How do you know it's 1987?

How do you know it's 1987?
See the numbers in the photo of the headstamp. Those numbers give the date the bike was built.

How do you know it's 1987?

Assembly date was 329th day of 1986 (3296) , which would make it a 1987 model year.

1987 Schwinn road bike catalog (http://www.trfindley.com/flschwinn_1981_1990/1987_01.html)

Thank you Stan. Looks like it might be a "Prelude". Most of the specs match and under the black paint you can see "Pink". They came in an "ice pink" color. That's why it was repainted. Never heard of a "Prelude". Do you know anymore about this bike? My other Schwinn is a "World" in blue. Picked it up at a garage sale and it is in beautifu condition. The badge number is "3377" and the serial #
on the bottom bracket "GM706916. Can you help me with that one. Thanks again now maybe I can sleep again.
PS Any idea on where this bike was made? The Prelude.

Thank you Stan. Looks like it might be a "Prelude". Most of the specs match and under the black paint you can see "Pink". They came in an "ice pink" color. That's why it was repainted. Never heard of a "Prelude". Do you know anymore about this bike? My other Schwinn is a "World" in blue. Picked it up at a garage sale and it is in beautifu condition. The badge number is "3377" and the serial #
on the bottom bracket "GM706916. Can you help me with that one. Thanks again now maybe I can sleep again.
Sounds like an '88 World in Aquamarine. The assembly date of 337th day of 1987 makes it an '88 model.

1988 World catalog page (http://www.trfindley.com/flschwinn_1981_1990/1988_14.html).

The '88 World was near the bottom of the model line-up and used 10xx carbon steel tubing. The '87 Prelude was a mid-range model that used Columbus Tenax chromoly double-butted main tubes. The top model in '87 was the Paramount, followed by the Circuit, Super Sport, Tempo, Prelude, Le Tour, Traveler, World Sport, World.

Scooper how do you determine that the bike is the following year? In both cases above the bikes were made late in the year, but what if it was made earlier? Also, thanks for the list of the Schwinn line, nice reference.

The Prelude was a damned nice bike.

Scooper how do you determine that the bike is the following year? In both cases above the bikes were made late in the year, but what if it was made earlier? Also, thanks for the list of the Schwinn line, nice reference.

In the sixties, seventies, and eighties, Schwinn usually changed production to the new model year in the October/November timeframe.

A Prelude is a pretty decent bike, but the rattlecan paint job pretty much ruined its vallue as far as resale. A high quality repaint and redecal would cost about what the bike is worth. Again, if it is a Prelude, it would be a good rider as is, or a donor bike. Components should be a good guide. Value is fine as a keeper, as although the bike is cosmetically challenged, it is going to perform the same, ride the same, etc.

As far as learning more about Preludes, search is your friend. There are probably hundreds of threads on the Prelude.

Schwinn World is bottom end, heavy, cheap, entry level bike. Good recreational ride. There should be a huge weight difference between these two bikes.

The '88 World was near the bottom of the model line-up and used 10xx carbon steel tubing. The '87 Prelude was a mid-range model that used Columbus Tenax chromoly double-butted main tubes. The top model in '87 was the Paramount, followed by the Circuit, Super Sport, Tempo, Prelude, Le Tour, Traveler, World Sport, World.

I'd just insert the Prologue between the Paramount and the Circuit, although the Prologue was just sold as a frameset. I have two 1987 Prologues right now. They also made a really nice Voyageur touring bike, not sure where I would insert it quality wise in the line up.

Thanks for your help. After more searching I found enough info that solves the mystery. 87 Prelude orginal color "pink". I ride this bike daily and plan to keep it. It was a $20 find at the thrift store. This winter I will strip and repaint (pro job) or maybe CHROME. The World is heavy compared to the Prelude but my wife loves it and it's such a pretty blue. I'm currently looking for a older Paramount frame for a single speed conversion. Watching ebay.