Mr.Fixie

I recently purchased a Schwinn Traveler frameset (complete with frame, fork, headset, handlebars, and brakes). However, I've been curious since looking at several different threads how to determine the age of the frame. It is Japan-made, as it states on the badge on the front as well as the stamp on the seat tube, and the badge number is 1406. It is also like a cardinal red and looks like this bike (although there were no shifters on the bike, and i'm not sure if it originally had any):



Can anybody tell me when it's from and what sort of steel it might be? There was no Chromoly or Tru-Temper brand/stamp on the frame at all.

mkeller234

I am thinking 1977, it was available in blue and red that year.

Here are the specs from the Schwinn Lightweight Data Notebook:

"Super Lite" series 10 speed. Imported from Japan?. Stem shifters. 38 to 100 gear range. GT-420 rear derailleur, GT-450 front derailleur. Ashtabula crank set. Chain wheel guard. 1020 steel lugged frame with single butted top and bottom tubes. Round head badge. Name on top tube. Alloy stem and steel Randonneur handlebar. Side pull brakes with suicide levers. Painted tubular? fork. Araya steel rims. 27 x 1¼ tires. Colors were Sky Blue and Flamboyant Red. Frame sizes men’s 21", 23", 25"; women’s (straight bar) 19", 22". $142.95. Optional thorn-resistant tubes, $6.00.
MODEL: Schwinn-Approved Traveler.
FRAME:
Available in three men's frame sizes -- 21", 23" and 25" (53.3cm through 63.5cm) and two ladies' frame sizes: 19" and 22" (48.3cm to 55.9cm).
Single butted top and down tubes.
Tubular front fork.
Lug frame made of 1020 carbon steel.
FRAME FINISH:
Flamboyant Red and Sky Blue.
WHEELS AND TIRES:
Araya steel tubular rims.
Medium flange alloy hubs.
Schwinn Puff 27" x 1-1/4" gumwall tires with 75 lbs. inflation pressure.
HANDLEBARS AND STEM:
Steel Randonneur style handlebar.
Schwinn-Approved forged aluminum alloy stem.
PEDALS:
Steel rattrap pedals with reflectors.
CRANKSET:
39-52 double plateau sprocket.
One piece crank with lightweight chainguard.
6-3/4" (170mm).
DERAILLEURS:
Schwinn-Approved GT-420 rear derailleur.
Schwinn-Approved GT-450 front derailleur.
14-17-20-24-28 rear freewheel cluster.
Gear range of 38 low to 100 high.
BRAKES:
Schwinn-Approved alloy side pull caliper with dual position levers (side pull rear brake on ladies' model).
SADDLE:
Ariake "Jaguar" -- nylon base, seamless vinyl cover.
WEIGHT:
Approximately 32 pounds (14.5 kilograms) depending on frame size.

Mr.Fixie

Thanks a bunch! I was hoping someone would have the Schwinn knowledge to help me out. I'm actually hoping to use this frame as a template for a fixed/free bike; it's my 1st time building. Do you have any advice or suggestions in terms of components or building methods?

cuda2k

Yeah, approx 77-80. There should be a 4 digit number stamped into the head badge. The last digit should be the last digit in the year it was made (first 3 are the day of the year). I had one very similar in the blue color that was made in early 1980, but believe that was the last year for that decal style. Other more knowledgeable Schwinn folk will be along I'm sure to correct me if I'm wrong about any of the above.

Schnayke

140th day of 1976 is when that was built. Or 86 but in 86 they looked differnt.

petflunky

Check out this website. Maybe it will help you some.

https://www.geocities.com/sldatabook/contents.html

Slogger

Realizing the thread is getting a little "aged", I also bumped into an old schwinn traveler. I used to like old Raleighs but let go of some good frames over the years. I am enjoying riding this old traveler and am trying to use it as a solid commuter (into city). Serial number is SH586080 (and underneath these numbers are 840 ) . I am not racing on this bike and as such want to raise handlebars. I have more than maxed out stem, and see replacement parts but am struggling to see what to purchase as a replacement. 22.2 mm (1") or 25.4 mm (1 1/8"). I abuse it, but I feel it's an economical (read cheap) bike for my needs.

I looked at some of the suggestions for determining age, but the SH on the serial number is evidently not popular on some of the serialized lists??? Any suggestions?

Scooper

It's a 1986 model year Traveler.

1986 Traveler pg 1

1986 Traveler pg 2

1986 Specs pg 1

1986 Specs pg 2