Originally Posted by
mike
Hey Guys,
I am happy to report that I have a gorgeous made-in-Japan Schwinn Le Tour in extremely good condition.
It had what looked to be a big white scratch on the top-tube, but on further inspection, it was only where some house paint rubbed onto the bike. With a little polishing compound, it came right off!
Wow, nice machine. Every component says "Le Tour". This bike was surely the bargain of it's day.
Anyway, I don't have the date codes for the Japan Schwinns and I am hoping you do.
The serial number is E423917.
Does anybody know what year that would make it?
Mike,
It's almost certainly a '74. From Schwinn Bulletin 23, "Schwinn Bicycle Identification Numbers":
Bicycles from Japan have a production month letter in either the first or second position and a production year number in the other (first or second) position. Examples J677123 = September, 1976, 6J77123 = September, 1976.
Thus
E423917 = May, 1974.