samuellaw178

Hi there,
I am new here and recently I got a Schwinn World off craigslist. I am wondering what its exact spec as I couldn't find it anywhere on the Google and that seller did not keep any of the paperwork. He said that the bike was about 10 years old. I found the serial number below the frame and it's GM835814. Also, it has a 12-speed Shimano Light Action (SIS) gear and 27" tires. Any idea guys? Here's the pictures. Any help would greatly be appreciated. Thanks!!

Zaphod Beeblebrox 

It's more like 20 years old but still not a bad bike by any means.

Add a rack and you've got a great commuter.

I don't know the original spec but I'd hazard a guess that it was basic Shimano gear. Nothing noteworthy...the indexed shifters were likely an upgrade. Shimano Light Action is decent kit. Shifts easily and reliably...I've got Shimano Light Action indexing on two of my bikes and have been plenty satisfied with it.

Cool fenders.

Maddox

Looks like your bars are not original, but I'm not really familiar with the totality of the Schwinn lineup during the 80's. Luckily, there are people on the web that have saved every Schwinn Catalogue. People such as TR Findley: https://www.trfindley.com/pg_schwinn_cats.htm

You should be able to find the model specs with that website and some quick help from the Schwinn experts on the forums.

Also, you should probably post a driveside photo of your bike (the side with the crankset...aka the opposite side from the first photo).

samuellaw178

Zaphod Beeblebrox: Wow!Really?20 years?That's really a surprise as it looks pretty decent and I would say it looked almost new or have been taken under great care! Thanks, I like the fender too (The main reason I got it so that I can ride it without splashing the mud all over me if it rains suddenly) Hehe

Maddox: Yeah, that's what I thought too but the seller said it's very unlikely because his parents bought it for him. I will sift through the catalogs to see if I get any info Thank you!

You guys are great!Never expected to get reply that soon.

Here's the driveside photo:

wrk101

It is really common to find old bikes in great shape. Most bikes are never/rarely ridden. So its all about how they have been stored. If they were left outside for years, they are going to be rough, really rough. If they spent their lives hanging from hooks in the garage, they can be dusty, but pristine.

Read the date code off the headbadge, it should be four numbers: 1258 = 125th day of a year ending in an "8". In your case, that code would mean 1988.

Scooper

The M8 in the serial number is December, 1988, so it's likely a 1989 model year World. HERE's the 1989 World catalog page.

The World, Sprint, and Caliente were at the bottom of the road bike heirarchy, so specifications were not included in the catalog for these models. HERE are the '89 road bike specs, and although the World Sport had 4130 chromoly main tubes, I believe the World, Sprint, and Caliente had straight gauge 10XX carbon steel frames.