Classic & Vintage - Schwinn World Voyageur and the Schwinn catalogs...

I don't remember seeing a World Voyageur in the 1970s Schwinn catalogs. I found one reference (http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php/100300-Schwinn-World-Voyageur-Question?p=1077521&viewfull=1#post1077521) saying that some imported models didn't show up at all in the catalogs.

What other Schwinn's are there hiding in the shadows?

Does the name Schwinn even appear on the bicycle fender1 posted (http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php/714665-1973-Schwinn-World-Voyageur-21-quot-Frame-Kool-Yellow-175)?

Its on the headbadge, its on the label below the seat lug.
Schwinn Approved japan

It doesn't look like the head badge mentions it. Another Voyageur with a better photo:

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3133/2572275351_c8e432c784_z.jpg

It is on the down tube.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3281/2572273391_c2a01d81f5_z.jpg

Oh yeah, my bad. I was thinking of the later imports.

I am quite certain that they did not appear in some early 70's catalogs. I believe that Schwinn finally woke up and figured that they better get some road bikes that weighed less than 40 pounds out on the market. This is when the imported bikes were starting to eat their lunch . I think that Panasonic made these bikes and that there was, initially, a basic all steel model in a light green and yellow color, then the better Voyager.

I've got an orange one in the garage, thread here:
http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php/502640-Schwinn-World-Voyager?highlight=schwinn%20world%201973

I really need to get it on the road this summer.

+1, pretty sure it was Panasonic. Probably so early in the venture that Schwinn didn't have their act together. Later models all sais Schwinn Approved on nearly every component, somewhere. It is to be found on hubs, RD, seat tube, head badge, brakes, etc.

From what I have been told, Schwinn sampled imported parts and required the mfg to produce the components to pretty strict standards, often having the OEM improve their quality in order to be allowed on the bike.

Part of the problem was many dealers refused to sell an imported bike so Schwinn started a new line that were called Worlds in 1973 and not all dealers sold them. There were two models. The Voyagers and the a lugged frame one piece crank Traveler. The Traveler is the front bike and the back two are Voyagers. By 1974 when the dealers found out they had really missed the boat they accepted imports primarily the LE Tours. Roger

Are those the goofy 26 x 1 3/8 (ISO 597) on the World Traveler?

Damn you, Schwinn! I wish you'd have sold 25" World Voyageurs!

27" wheels on all of my bikes and all Worlds in 1973. Roger

The Voyaguer shows up in the 1974 catalog, see link, as a Voyageur II.

[URL="http://www.trfindley.com/flschwinn_1971_1980/1974__ins2.html"]

I believe the picture is a 23" frame. I bought a 1975 model, same color, about half the price of a Paramount, which may be an unfair comparision, hand built frame vs production Panasonic frame.