Welcome to C&V.

Sometime resurrecting an old thread is not the best way to have your questions answered.

Try starting a new thread from the main page by clicking the appropriate button at the top of the page. Use a title something like "Help me date my vintage Schwinn Cruiser." Post pictures of your bike. Take a full shot from the chain side, the decals, headbadge, and the serial number. Closeups of any other parts you think are unique.

Generally, on Chicago built Schwinns of the '70s, the letter "U" would not be used in a serial number. The first letter designates the month the frame was built. In this case "J" equates to August ("I" was skipped). The second letter designated the year. 1979 was assigned the letter "Q" so "U" would equate to 1983.

Here's a link to catalog pages associated with that year. No cruisers are there for you to ID your bike. Looking back in the catalog shows the last entry to be 1982. Schwinn was in a big transition during this time and they probably continued to make the same model into 1983. Pictured is the '82 catalog page.

http://www.trfindley.com/flschwinn_1...90/index2.html