Classic and Vintage Bicycles: What's it Worth? Appraisals and Inquiries - Looking for info on Schwinn Continental

Hello everyone,

I've been going through Continental threads for over an hour trying to match my bike and couldn't find anything, so I created an account and here I am. *DISCLOSURE* I AM NOT IN ANY WAY KNOWLEDGEABLE WHEN IT COMES TO BICYCLES! Please excuse my idiocy and bear with me.

Here's what I know: It is a Schwinn. It says continental. From what research I have done, the serial number puts it in 1953 or 1961 (I'm assuming 1961 because it doesn't look like Continentals existed in '53.) The frame says Chicago, the seat says Holland, the handlebar grips say "Schwinn Approved" which I assume means they were made in Japan or something. It has three main chain wheels, and five rear ones. (Which means 15 speed...? Again, I'm a newbie!) The handlebars don't match anything I've seen, but it also has a speedometer/odometer so I'm guessing there are a few add-ons and accessories.
It has original paint and stickers, and is in surprisingly good condition for sitting in my grandfathers garage for a couple years.

So here's what I would like to know, if possible:
-What is this bike exactly?
-What year?
-How does it rate amongst other bicycles/Schwinns?
-What is an estimated value? (Can't do eBay appraisal, because I'm not sure what I'm looking for quite yet.
-General things I should know about this bike?

Pictures coming soon. Make specific requests if you like!

Thank you so much, please forgive my ignorance!

Can you post any pictures? A 1953 triple seems unusual.

Also, can you post the SN?

Here are pics: http://www.flickr.com/photos/63532816@N08/ (Let me know if that link is bad)

Serial Number is: K112510

I found that number on the left rear dropout, I think it's the SN.

First question - does it have lugs? If so, that makes it a Giant or Panasonic frame, and unlikely to be anything prior to the 80s.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2682/5772550111_23796922f6_b.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2277/5772550905_0c9858cd7d_b.jpg

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5147/5772550645_bae5987583_b.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3280/5772550373_fc24322ae7_b.jpg

Looks like a Terra Cotta mid 60's Continental.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/63532816@N08/5772599863/in/photostream
http://www.flickr.com/photos/63532816@N08/5773139570/in/photostream

Doesn't look like a triple though - which would reinforce 60s timeframe.

K1 would be November, 1961 - so perhaps a 1962 model?

http://www.velobration.com/sldbdealer/1962/62dlct06.html

1.) Lugs: What and where?
2.) Terra Cotta Mid 60's Continental: More info on that?
3.) Any other specific pictures that would help?

Doesn't look like a triple though - which would reinforce 60s timeframe.

K1 would be November, 1961 - so perhaps a 1962 model?

I saw that there was a 1962 Super Continental (or something along those lines) which seemed to have very close descriptions based on pictures and even the original Schwinn catalogue description. Is this a possibility?

I do not know.

Schwinn maintains a forum here: http://www.schwinnbikes.com/schwinn-life/forums/

Lots of real nice people who love the the pre-lug schwinns. That might be a real good place to answer all your questions.

I'll just say 61 Conti, either a christmas bike or boxed up till spring of '62. When did they move the shifters up onto the stem?

I'll just say 61 Conti, either a christmas bike or boxed up till spring of '62. When did they move the shifters up onto the stem?

Starting with the 1967 models, I believe.

K1 I believe would be October of 1961( remember to skip the I),which would likely make this a 1962 model.If it has a front triple chainring it is a super continental as mentioned above.The super continentals seem to be uncommon.

K1 I believe would be October of 1961( remember to skip the I),which would likely make this a 1962 model.If it has a front triple chainring it is a super continental as mentioned above.The super continentals seem to be uncommon.

That's what I was noticing, there really doesn't seem to be much info on the Super Continental other than original catalog pages. Anyone have a rough estimate at its value? I know the Continentals are notorious for being garbage, even the ones in better shape. So is this just another $20 bike?

There are 3 basic buyers:

The collector, who has an emotional attachment to the brand or model. There is no telling what they'll pay.

The naive, who believe all 10-speeds are equal, and a 15-speed must be a newer one. There is no telling what they'll pay either.

Then there is everyone else. And they may give you $20 for it, if you are lucky.

But given the year, you might want to focus on the first group. Its possible one or more of the components may be worth more than the entire bike. Check the Schwinn forums.

About $100 if you clean it up. More if you tune it up.

Despite their failings, they are a fun, usable piece of nostalgia and cycling history. Schwinn is a great American name. Like Harley-Davidson, Chevrolet, Lionel trains, and Chris-Craft boats, they have an instant recognition among Americans of a certain age. An age group that has a good amount of disposable income.

I rode a Varsity and a Collegiate back in their heyday. No rose-colored glasses here. I will not hear anything dismissive about electro-forged Schwinns.

Then there is everyone else. And they may give you $20 for it, if you are lucky.



Today is your lucky day! I'll give you $21! :D

Just kiddiing! There are not that many 50-year-old bikes like that around, especially in that nice of condition.

Today is your lucky day! I'll give you $21! :D

Just kiddiing! There are not that many 50-year-old bikes like that around, especially in that nice of condition.

Right! But if you are eyeing up a 50 year old bike in nice condition, you probably fall into the first category. Hence my suggestion for the OP to focus on that group. At least to start.

Oh, and sorry, but I won't take a penny less than $22. :D

The decals are wrong for a '62 Super Continental.

I think it's a '61 model as the serial number indicates.

If it has a triple on it, it was probably added later. I had an old Schwinn dealer tell me that they changed a lot of the old half step doubles over to the 40/47/52 triples when they became available from Schwinn(starting in 1962 I assume).

If you compare the fonts of the downtube name decals you will find that it is a bit larger on the '61 like this one than on the '62 and later models.

Here's most of the down tube decal on my '62 for comparison.

http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p71/pastorbobnlnh/Continental/Campagnoloed%20Continental/HuretShifters.jpg

Perhaps it's a 61 frame outfitted as a 62, 61 had suicide shifter in front.

61 Conti:
http://www.trfindley.com/flschwinn_1961_1970/1961_02.html

62 Conti:
http://www.trfindley.com/flschwinn_1961_1970/1962_03.html

Early '61 had the suicide shifter and the older style decals like the '60 model, but sometime during the '61 model year they switched over to the style which the OP's bike is.

The '62 model like PastorBob's got the smaller font name decal and the fully chromed fork.

I have this frameset which is a '61 also.

http://i137.photobucket.com/albums/q205/amliee/My%20Bikes/61Conti2.jpg

Sierra,thanks for the info.I was not aware of the difference in decals or that the word Super was included in the decal on the Super Continental.

I was not aware of the difference in decals.

I only noticed it recently myself.

I've had the blue '61 frameset for a number of years now doing duty as wallpaper on my garage wall.
I recently bought a '62 Conti frameset in Radiant Green because I thought it would make a nice mate for my Radiant Green '62 Varsity.
I cleaned up the '62 frameset and hung it under the '61 on the garage wall. Looking at the two of them together the difference in the decals became apparent.

With the nice paint and decals and over all good condition, with a bit of clean up and rehabilitation I bet that bike could fetch $150-160.

As the story goes, four good friends passed by an old 32 ford sitting with a for sale sign.

The first wanted to buy it, even though he knew it would sit untouched in his garage. It reminded him of the family car in his youth, and with it, brought fond memories.

The second wanted to buy it, restore it to its original beauty, and show it off in all the regional car shows. He loved old cars or any type, and the restoration process brought him great satisfaction.

The third wanted to buy it, remove the body, and turn it into a heard turning custom hot rod. He loved cars too, but he loved the performance and driving more than the history.

The fourth had no real interest.

Interestingly, the exact same vehicle was viewed completely different by each of the four. And IMO, thats how it should be.

Although the fourth guy really should have snapped a picture and sent it to me before it was too late. :)

moving to appraisals because I already worked too hard cleaning up this thread

I'm not seeing a triple there. I think it has been pretty much narrowed down to a 1961. Fillet-brazed frame has its following and the headbadge and seat tube decals are nice. Well-preserved example that should clean up nicely. Won't be worth much to most, but for the "right" buyer as explained above, could bring a $100 or more.

^ This is not a fillet brazed(chrome-moly) frame. It's a standard "Electroforged" gaspipe steel frame.

I don't think Schwinn made a fillet brazed frame for 1961, but 1962 saw the introduction of the fillet brazed chrome-moly framed 15 speed Superior model.

^ This is not a fillet brazed(chrome-moly) frame. It's a standard "Electroforged" gaspipe steel frame.

I don't think Schwinn made a fillet brazed frame for 1961, but 1962 saw the introduction of the fillet brazed chrome-moly framed 15 speed Superior model.

Thanks for the correction