Originally Posted by
Andy_K
If I can hijack this thread now that the OP's frame has been positively identified...I recently picked up a Schwinn Voyageur 11.8 frame (original decals in place, so no mystery there). I think it's a 1980. The head badge is missing, but the holes for it indicate that it was the round badge, and the seat tube decal confirms that it was made in Japan. The oddity is that the serial number starts with a W.
Any ideas as to what this might indicate?
Assuming it is circa 1980, that may be the Bridgestone serial number format, in which case it would have been manufactured during the 23rd fortnight of 1979, which would make it a 1980 model. I'd be removing the fork and checking for stampings on the steerer column. Most Tange and Ishiwata forks are stamped with their name/logo and a date code.