bgrider

I have been looking for a pristine copy of my first "ten speed" that is responsible for my cycling habit. Sadly I sold to get another bike...But that is a story for a different day. I ran across this example locally today and it appears to be all original and in excellent shape. Only scratch is on the top tube in the traveler decal. i think the bar tape may be original. The plastic protector (slip on type) on the chain stay is still there, reflectors, etc....

I was hoping someone here could help me date it - I could not find a s/n or other marking, but based on color and equipment I think this is the correct vintage. It's in such good shape and the price is so right I might get it anyway.

Thanks in advance for any responses,



bgrider

Scooper

Those photos are too small to see much detail, but it looks like around 1980 vintage.

Look closely at the head badge for four small, lightly stamped digits. That represents the assembly date of the bike. The first three digits are the day of the year (001-366) and the fourth digit represents the last digit of the year (0 = 1980, 1990, etc.).

The serial number is probably on the non-driveside (left) rear dropout.

jjames1452 

That looks exactly like my old bike. I want to say 1980-1982.
I can look it up.

jjames1452 

What size is the frame?

bgrider

I figure it is 1980 or so as well which is exactly what I want. I did look at the head badge and could not see anything, I guess my eyes are not as good as they were in 1980! Did not look at the drop out. I guess I have to buy it......

Thanks!

jjames1452 

I looked at the catalogs. It should be 1980. I probably purchased my bike in 1982 - a couple of years old.
The bike weighs 32 pounds out of the gate, however, I put countless miles on mine.
I always figure I weigh north of 200, so if I want to cut ten pounds off of a bike, I will watch what I eat for a month.
Good luck.

bgrider

1980 is what i decide from catalogs as well (found them online.) I picked it up this afternoon. I think even the tires are original. I took the wheels out and I dont think they have ever been out of the frame before. Its amazing that a bike from 1980 could have hung around this long and no one ever took it our for a spin. S/N is Z920319 if anyone can date it from that.

Thanks for the replies.

Scooper

What are the four small lightly stamped digits on the head badge?

FastJake

I'm single but I haven't gone far enough off the deep end to start dating bikes.

bgrider

I found those late yesterday evening. 3619 which puts it right at the end of 1979 - correct?

Absolutely everything on this bike is original and it is virtually un-ridden. The large chain ring has absolutely no evidence of contact with the chain - ever. Tires are original too, and oddly, not dry rotted. All that will be necessary to restore this is to clean it up.

howsteepisit

You will also need to grease all the bearings, as the grease from 1979 will be dried and sticky.

bgrider

Agreed, I am planning a full tear down, thorough cleaning, polishing and relubing of everything before its maiden voyage. I need to find something to use as touch up paint that is a reasonable match.

Scooper

Bingo! It was assembled the last week of 1979 as a 1980 model year Traveler.

bgrider

The wheels are cleaning up nicely. Before and after in the same picture. Repacked the front wheel bearings today.

HotFootPusher00

this is exactly the same bike that I picked up last week. Scooper helped me out with getting a lot of info on it. He knows his stuff. I'm the obnoxious newbie. same bike but I must say yours looks a bit cleaner.

bgrider

When i get it all cleaned up I will probably post some before and after pics. The more I look at this bike the more I am convinced it was never ridden in 34/35 years. No evidence the chain has ever been on the large chain ring, no wear on the original tires, no "ring" from the beargings on the cones or hub, etc. There are some dings in paint that I plan to touch up, but otherwise, this bike is essentially show room new. In my OP I said I had been searching for a pristine copy of this bike but that is not true. I checked CL three time in the past year - and this appeared on the third search. Go figure. Be sure to share some photos of your Traveler as well.

Deal4Fuji

Question on dating - This past weekend I picked up a Sturmey Archer 3 sp. Speedster in excellent condition with the serial # MM518457. The schwinncruisers web site dated it as "built in December 1976". The head badge number is 1647 which from this thread has it being assembled in June of '77.

So is this bike considered a '76 or '77 ?

howsteepisit

I think it's a 77

Scooper

It's a '77. It isn't unusual for the frame to have been built months before the bike is assembled (the serial number provides the month and year the frame was made; the head badge date code is the day the bike was assembled).