My serial number is SE217446 and the badge is 1382. What sort of info does the serial number convey? Does it tell the frame size and color? I've seen the Schwinn Info Bulletin 23. From the badge number I gather that's May 18, 1982. Is there a source with more detailed info than Bulletin 23? Thanks.

Unlike an automobile it tells you nothing. It is just a number. The 1382 only mean the frame was made into a bike on the 138th day of a year ending in 2. Could be 82/92. That system started in 1976. Roger

Need a secret decoder ring. Otherwise, worthless.

The serial number indicates it was the 17,446th frame manufactured in May 1982, by Bridgestone of Japan, for Schwinn. To the best of my knowledge, there is no indicator for model, frame size, colour, etc.

I do not think this is a serial number from Bridgestone for Schwinn.

As noted by the OP, this serial number, SE217446, falls under Schwinn Information Bulletin, Bulletin Number 23: Schwinn Bicycle Identification Numbers.

Here is a link: https://thirtythree.org/projects-unco...n%20Frames.pdf

I have seen pictures of bicycles with this format of serial number.

https://thecabe.com/forum/threads/le...is-bike.97601/

These bicycles have no indication of frames being made in Japan, or Schwinn Approved, which means that the frames were built by someone other than Schwinn.