New guy question...worth fixing up??
 

Hi all,

I'll start by saying i have very little knowledge in the bike arena.

That being said, I rescued this bike from a buddy that was going to throw it out the other day. It had been his dad's bike.(Not been ridden since the late 90's). I just knew that Schwinn used to be a reputable bike company.

Anyway, I started researching and came across this site and it seems to have some great people and info on it.
I guess I'm wondering if this bike is worth putting a little love into or not?

Here is what I believe it to be after some research from this site...

Schwinn Le Tour 1989?

Looks like all the components seem to be original?(Suntour Blaze)
Alesa 700c rims(Belgium)

I can't seem to find a size on the frame. Also, if anyone can confirm the year or has any other info for me that would be great.

Here is the serial number...
SI 708716

Thanks again for any info provided,
Nate

Ok. It does have the 4130 Chromoly tubes/frame sticker on it. I thought I read that that was on later 80's models.

Not sure if teh components are original...but...it is a very nice looking bike...how much of the fixing up work can you do? Looks like all it would need is some cleaning, greasing and refreshing of disposables...

BTW...welcome to Bike Forums...I am sure you will get even better advice than mine!

Yup, looks like a nice bike. New tubes, tires, brake pads and you have a nice bike.

To find the frame size, take a measuring tape and measure from the center of the axel where the pedals are up towards the seat. When you get to the top of that tube (called the seat tube) that is the frame size.

I might be able to change out the tubes and tires. I guess I should have the rims inspected to make sure they are up to par.

Thanks for the input so far.

It's an '89 model and yes it's worth fixing up.

http://www.trfindley.com/flschwinn_1...90/index5.html

http://www.trfindley.com/flschwinn_1...89_Ltwt_10.jpg

http://www.trfindley.com/flschwinn_1...89_Ltwt_16.jpg

I flipped an identical Le Tour a couple years ago. Nice bike. If it helps you figure out if it's worth fixing i got somewhere around $250-275 for it. I couldn't find a freewheel for the Accushift shifters so I ended up just putting friction shifters on with a Shimano freewheel.

http://i.imgur.com/NVq5tPD.jpg

Whoa, I should have thought about looking at a catalog before.
Thanks

Looks kinda sharpe all fixed up. Nice work coolkat!

Some here are happy to ride bikes in "as found" condition...Air up the tires and lube on the chain and off you go. That's one option. Were that my bike and I wanted to completely fix it up and keep it for myself I would do the following to it:

New bar tape
New teflon lined cable housings and new stainless steel cables
New brake pads
New tires
New tubes
New brake hoods - although yours are aero hoods and replacements might be tough to find and fit.
New chain
New freewheel
New grade 25 ball bearings and grease in the headset, bottom bracket and both wheel hubs. If the pedals are rebuildable I would also take them apart and redo them.
True wheels

Disassemble everything and clean. Put grease on moving parts.

Seems like a lot of stuff but ordering online and doing the work yourself it can be relatively inexpensive and you end up with a quality bike that will last for another couple decades. It might also seem daunting but just look up one part at a time and learn how to service it. Most of it is just cleaning and putting back together and adjusting slightly.

As far as the rims...Just have a visual look at them. Closely inspect for any cracks or other defects. See if it spins properly and true or if it needs adjusting.

Count yourself lucky--a free Schwinn like that is great! If it fits, tune it up and ride!

For its measurements...

Frame size is measured by the seat tube length (red line, from center of crank/bottom bracket to either the center or top of seat tube) & by the top tube (yellow line, from center of head tube to center of seat tube).

The stand over is the purple line, from ground to top tube.

Its a beautiful bike and looks to be in great shape. Nice decal colors to play with also.

The head badge should have a 4 digit number on it. Looks like its in the lower left side. The first 3 numbers are the day it was made on and the last number is the year. Example - if its 3659 - the last day of the year of 1989.

Heres one of the Schwinn threads - http://www.bikeforums.net/classic-vi...bike-here.html

Well...

Looks like I better fix this up a bit. Thanks for all the input.

Narhay, I will take your advice and start looking into parts.

Thanks for all this input.

Nice bike. you probably don't need to do much. It looks like the tires may have dry rot. Sometimes brake pads also get hard if the bike has been sitting a long time. You probably would want to clean it up and replace the tires and brake pads at least.

If the chain is rusted or stiff, you may need a new one. If the bike has been ridden a lot of miles with one chain, sometimes the cogs on the back will wear with the chain. If you put a new chain on and it slips under heavy pedaling, you might need to replace the freewheel too.

I have a 1983 model that I have had for years. I went nuts this winter replacing essentially everything on it:

http://www.bikeforums.net/classic-vi...to-modern.html

There was no logical reason to do what I did. I just wanted to do it. With the stock components, your 1989 model is much nicer than the 1983 one I started with.

You did good, bike looks like it doesn't have many miles on it & probably sat in a garage for years. I would do a frame up Service on it, cleaning & regreasing all the bearings, true the wheels, tires and brake pads. The cables look like they are in good condition and I like the color match to the frame, if the brake cables are lined I would try to keep them, the Accushift shift cables should be lined and if in good shape I would just install new SS inner Cables and lube them up. You can have the chain checked for wear & if not worn ( I Doubt it is ) just clean & lube it. If it needs a new chain check the cogs as stated before. If the cogs are good and it does need a chain you will have to use a 8 or 9spd modern chain to replace it as it is hard to find Accushift chains ( they don't work that good anyway ).

Glenn

Thanks guys, I plan to dig into it a little bit this weekend.

You know, 90% of the time when people come in here with a question like yours, we have to diplomatically tell them they inherited a worthless piece of junk. This was a nice exception. Should be a fun project without too many problems.

Hahahaha This. To the OP, yours is gonna be a pretty cool bike. Yes, it's worth fixing up! :)

Coolkat, are those new tires you put on the Le Tour you flipped or were they originals? I'll be needing new tires and was wondering if you could give me suggestions on where to find them.
Thanks

Check out the Panaracer Pasela PT's. Those are good tanwall tires.