Classic & Vintage - 1980 Schwinn De Luxe Twinn 5

I just purchased a very nice (almost "new" looking) tandem from a nice gentleman on Craigslist in the Cincinnati area. My wife and I live along the Little Miami Bike Trail in Ohio. We have kicked-around purchasing a tandem bike for quite some time and when this showed up on Craigslist, we couldn't pass it up. It's a local bike purchased at a Cincinnati area bike shop (Fairfield OH). I have posted some images on Picasa...

http://picasaweb.google.com/ohiosky.com/20101113#

The color in the images is "off". This bike is a bright candy-apple RED (not the copper color that appears). The serial number is JRxxxxx so I guess this is a September 1980 bike. I would like to have this bike gone over before my wife and I take it on the trail (probably next year). Are there still bike shops that can work on these vintage bikes? This has the rear drum brake (as can be seen in the images. Anyone know of Schwinn experts in the Cincinnati area?

Thanks in advance, George, Maineville, OH

George,

Welcome to C&V. What a nice find!

By the looks of the pictures, you have what appears to be a brand new Twinn which could not have been ridden more than 100 miles.

My guess is the bike needs new grease in the bearings, any local shop can help you with this. If they give you the run around, find another shop. The only other question would be do the tires look as new as the rest of the bike? They appear to be.

Finally, looking at this picture of the headbadge, it would appear the assembly date was later in 1981. The "2921" stamped in the badge tells us this was built on the 292nd day of 1981. It was not unusual for a left over frame from the previous year to be assembled the next.

http://lh4.ggpht.com/_ANAV3-1jW0Y/TN9ZfiUaDCI/AAAAAAAABX4/dNct3i7YUIk/s720/DSC00111.jpg

wow, nice find!

Yes, the tires are like-new. The have no dry-rot, cracking, etc. They hold air very well. They're "Schwinn Straight Side Sport Touring" tires.

The gentleman I purchased the bike from picked it up at an estate auction about a year ago so he didn't have any history with the bike. Whoever originally owned it must have stored it in-doors for the seats, tires, etc to have remained as nice as they are. I will be storing the bike indoors as well. We have a walk-out lower level so it makes it easy (no stairs to lug the 65 lb frame!)

Thanks for the info regarding the number on the head-badge. I didn't realize it had a number on it until I started looking at the pictures.

I believe the bike shop in Fairfield OH (where it was originally from) is still in business. I will give them a call to see if they still service these vintage bikes. They may still have some of the "old timers" from the original Schwinn franchise still around :)



I sincerely appreciate the information. Glad to see there are others out there that appreciate these great old bikes!

George, Maineville, OH

George,

Here's the catalog page from 1980 and '81, which matches your color, Cardinal Red.

http://www.trfindley.com/flschwinn_1971_1980/1980_42.JPG

http://www.trfindley.com/flschwinn_1981_1990/1981_43.JPG

Thanks Bob! I appreciate seeing the catalog image :)

I took the bike outside to take some "sunny" images. Also captured a few of my wife's old Continental. Color is still a bit "off" on both bikes. Guess it's time for a new camera too ;)

http://picasaweb.google.com/ohiosky.com/20101114#5539496621651474466

Sincerely,

George, Maineville, OH