bobcycle

I have gotten a Schwinn bike. Head badge number is 3339, 29 Nov 1979? Serial Number on the left rear dropout is SI989687. From research I have done so for it seem to be a Super Le Tour built in the Chicago factory.There is the Schwinn decal but no Le Tour or Super Le Tour decal remain. It has two speed crank and 6 speed rear. So do ya'll think it is a Super Le Tour? Comments invited.

FastJake

Yeah, 1979 Super Le Tour makes sense. See catalog page https://www.trfindley.com/flschwinn_1...0/1980_05.html and spec sheet: https://www.trfindley.com/flschwinn_1...0/1980_10.html

If it is a SLT it would've been made in Chicago. Not much else to get excited about though; 1020 frame, claw RD, 28 pounds... Are you buying or selling this bike?

jjames1452 

I thought the slt's were made in Japan and used 4130 chromly. My '77 slt was and is. That looks like a Lt.

howeeee

I dont think they made the Le Tour in Chicago,,the first ones were made in Japan, Schwinn then made an attempt to see if they could make the Le Tour in the USA and be profitable. I believe from 79 to 81 they made some Le Tours in Mississippi of which I had one that I sold in the spriing.

bobcycle

It specs closely to the spec sheet FastJake posted links to accept the color and the down tube shifters are age appropriate DuraAce. The spec sheet positively states it was made in Chicago and the serial number indicates that, too. I bought the bike for a commuter bike and to use with my BOB trailer, it will be my S.U.B. (Sports Utility Bike) and my newer Bianche will my Sport Car. I am Boomer and like a lot of Boomers my first not "hand-me-down" bike was a Schwinn Typhoon and my first "10-speed" was a Schwinn, so I guess there is some sentimental value for me. Thought I rather have a Paramount. :-)

FastJake

Take two seconds and click the links I posted above. According to the 1979 catalog, the 79 SLT was made in Chicago and used 1020 tubing.

motorapido

I bought a Super Le Tour in 1976, brand new, with my paper route money, and I have been riding it blissfully for 39 years. To me, the sports touring geometry makes a perfect all around bicycle. I rode it unmodified until about 2000. At that point, to improve my tire selection, I changed it to 700c wheels. I rode it in 17 triathlons, and was always pleased to pass other riders on expensive carbon tri-specific bikes. Some seemed visibly upset that I would disgrace their holy sport by riding the old girl in events.

Gradually, many other modifications and enhancements followed. I found that the original front derailleur worked just fine with a compact crankset and a 10-cog cassette on the back, with a long reach derailleur. I eventually gave up the downtube shifters and put on a set of Nashbar Microshift integrated shifters.

This season, I am making major new modifications, with a Shimano Alfine 11 internal gear hub and a single chainring up front, and a dynamo front hub.

I have ridden the bike countless tens of thousands of miles. In recent years, I have been using it for touring, including three completions of the Washington DC to Pittsburgh Great Allegheny Passage, and many tours on Pennsylvania's beautiful Pine Creek Rail Trail. Around town, with front and back panniers, it makes a great grocery-getter.

I found a NOS chrome Tange fork with slightly longer blades, which allows me to run a 38mm tire up front for muddy rail trail riding. I can fit a 35 in back.

When I changed to 700c wheels, the rear triangle easily cold set to fit the hub.

I about had a heart attack earlier this year when a homeless guy cut the lock while I had the bike locked up while eating a quick breakfast at a local restaurant. The cops found the bike an hour later outside a soup kitchen where the thief was enjoying a free breakfast. He had already bought a new lock and had carefully locked it up. Now, when I lock it up around town, I use a crazy-heavy chain and two u-locks. I will not lose her again.

So that is my Super Le Tour 12.2 story. Enjoy yours.

motorapido

The Super Le Tour changed specifications frequently, it seems, and build location. I am told that my 1976, with its 4130 frame, was a Panasonic frame. The Sugino crankset was stamped Le Tour (not Super Le Tour) and I think it also had the Schwinn Approved stamp on the crank arms. My original chainrings did not have a bash guard. Yours appears to have a bash guard on th chain rings. Also, your dropouts appear to be stamped. Mine are forged. Schwinn did so much changing around on the Super Le Tour that they could more appropriately have called it the Traveler since components came from here and there and the frame was built in various locations.

I have tried for years to find out what other bikes used this same Panasonic frame as mine, including bikes badged as Panasonics.