Originally Posted by
Metacortex
Sports Tourer frames often sat around for a year or more before being painted and built into a bike, so seeing a '73 frame on a '75 model year bike is completely normal for these. That is a '75 according to the paint job, and many of the original components would be date coded as well. The saddle, freewheel, and pedals are not original, but most everything else seems to be. Look for date codes on the hubs and on the inside of the rims next to the valve stem hole (the tire and rim strip must be removed to see them).
BTW, that is a 24" frame, Schwinn measured from the center of the crank to the top of the seat post. That GB-made "girder design" stem was used in '73 and later on 24" and 26" frames. It will also most likely be date code stamped, and so likely are the GB handlebars.
Note that the original saddle for '75 was not a Brooks B15, but instead was a Matex "racing" saddle with a nylon base. The same saddle was used on the '76-'78 Superior. The fork should also be date code stamped on the steerer tube, those were usually sourced closer to the time of the bike build.
Thanks for all that, Scott. I looked for date codes on the hubs at the time of purchase, but was unaware of the stamps you mentioned in all the other places. The wheels need trueing bad, so they'll come apart soon anyway. Thanks for the clarification on the size, as well. I was actually hoping for a 24", but the head tube seemed shorter than on my other 24's. I can ride either size comfortably but as many of you know, 70's Schwinn geomotery is a bit close-coupled. Wish they made a few with a 22" seat tube and 24" top tube!