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Schwinn Le Tour Serial and Stem

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Schwinn Le Tour Serial and Stem

Old 01-22-07, 07:42 PM
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Schwinn Le Tour Serial and Stem

I just aquired an old Schwinn Le Tour. The serial number starts with SG, followed by six digits. I tried searching the internet, but couldn't find anything. It's located on the back fork, next to the center of the wheel.

Any idea as to what year it could be?

Also, I would like to replace the stem. It has the numbers 833 on it. Could I replace it with any .833 stem? Anything else I should know about replacing the stem on this bike?'

Thanks
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Old 01-22-07, 08:19 PM
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Sorry, you didn't provide enough information. Le Tour (and Super Le Tour) numbers (1978-80 and 1982 on) include the letter "S" with a production month letter ("G" is July) followed by a series of numbers, the first one indicating the year of production (8=1978, 0=1980).

If you can, post a photo of your bike showing the graphics (decals). We should be able to pin down the year with the photo and serial number, and get specs from that year's catalog.
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Old 01-22-07, 08:23 PM
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A clear photo of the 4-digits on the Schwinn head badge will help to ID the date of manufacture.
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Old 01-22-07, 08:25 PM
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What's the next number in the serial after SG? There's a good chance that number represents the last number in the year of the frame's manufacture, and there's a good chance that the "S" means the frame was built in Greenville, Mississippi. There's also a good chance the "G" means the frame was built in July of whatever year. I emphasize "good chance" of these things because nothing seems set in stone when it comes to Schwinn serial numbers from the 1980's (assuming this is an '80's bike). Also, if you can find four small digits stamped on the headbadge, they are a date code for the date the bike was assembled at the factory. The first three digits will represent the numerical day of the year, and the last digit will represent the last number in the year. Example: 2283 would mean the bike was assembled on the 228th day of 1983, assuming it's an '80's bike............as for the stem: as you probably know some Schwinns used the odd sized stem/steerer (.833"), so if you want to use the fork that's on the bike, you'll need to find a .833" stem if you want a replacement. I was able to find a .833" SR stem on ebay a while back that was exactly what I was looking for. The SR's in this size that I've seen are marked .833 below the insertion line-
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Old 01-22-07, 08:39 PM
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The entire serial number is: SG221425

The number on the front badge is: 2452

On the handlebar it says. Sakae Randnner SR Road Champion

Tried to take pictures with my camera phone, but they didn't come out well. There was a sticker under the seat that said: Schwinn Quality Chicago . The word Schwinn written twice in the form of a cross sharing the same W.
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Old 01-22-07, 08:48 PM
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My best guess would be that it's an '82, made in Japan by Panasonic, frame of 1020 steel; but that late in the year (assembled on the 245th day of '82) it might be an '83 model, of 4130 chromoly, made in Greenville, Mississippi. Does it have a tubing decal indicating 1020 steel or 4130?
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Old 01-22-07, 08:50 PM
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1020 AISI Tubing

It says Chicago on it on two places.
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Old 01-22-07, 08:52 PM
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Originally Posted by javierpuga
1020 Aisi
Definitely an '82 model-
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Old 01-22-07, 08:58 PM
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Originally Posted by javierpuga
It says Chicago on it on two places.
It could have been made in Chicago, but it's doubtful. I've got an '82 Super le tour that was made in Japan. The only two years I've heard of le tours being made in Chicago were '79 and '80. If it was American made, it would be more likely from the Greenville, Mississippi plant I believe. On the Japanese-built models, the decal near the top of the seat tube is usually clearly marked "made in Japan for Schwinn" or something similar. Either way, they're nice riding bikes........references to Chicago, particularly on the headbadges, continued for years even after the Chicago manufacturing plant had shut down in late '83. The corporate headquarters remained there-
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Old 01-22-07, 10:19 PM
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Does it look like this? This page is from the 1982 catalog.

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