Gashepherd

I recently picked up a early 80's Schwinn Super Le Tour I'm not really sure of the build date, the headbadge says that it was built June 23 1982, but according to the 1982 schwinn catalog the 82 super le tour was built with a 1020 carbon steel frame, but my frame is chrome-moly with altus derailleurs and shifters, weinmann 605 brakes and weinmann alloy wheels. The components seem to be dated early-mid 1980. The frame serial number is 2F01282 totally different from the standard schwinn serial numbers that I'm used to, any clarification of the year will definitely be appreciated -Gerry

norcalmike

Japanese built.
The build date matches serial number 2F.
F =June 2= 82
Later Schwinn serial numbers / years made

4130 chro-mo for the super Le tour started in 83. maybe it was close enough to start using the 4130 tubing. In also read some early 80s had 4130 single butt tubing so could be normal.
a lot of bikes being built then. Who knows what material they had on hand at the time of build
is that a champagne color? Sandpiper?
can we see the whole bike?

Gashepherd

I will try and get some whole bike photos on as soon as I can, it's currently in the basement, as for the color I'm not sure, it's kind of a light metallic gold color with a chocolate brown head tube, the same brown as the brown in the schwinn decal

3speedslow

Nice sounding colour combo. I would like full pics as well!

76SLT 

1976 Japanese built Super LeTours were also 4130, but my Chicago built 80 SLT is 1020. Not sure when they went back to Japanese built.
Comparing the 80 SLT to a Japanese built 80 Voyageur 11.8, they seem to have much the same components with the difference being in the frames. Is it possible this is a Voyageur 11.8 or does it say Super Le Tour? I'd love to see the rest of the bike.

norcalmike

my understanding was trouble keeping up with production. They needed help

madpogue 

^^^^^ Yeah, this one was built in June, well into the production run and probably at peak demand time. This might have even been spec'ed as an '83, being the end of June.

Gashepherd

It is indeed a super le tour, interestingly enough the color combination isn't listed as an option for the super le tour for either 82 or 83, these are the best photos that I can get at the moment, thanks for your input - Gerry

madpogue 

Hmm, that lettering doesn't look like any '82 or '83 I've seen. And yet it has all the other stock Schwinn livery, like the multi-point warning sticker on the downtube above the shifters. Curiouser and curiouser.....

Gashepherd

I think that maybe the wheels and brakes and probably the front derailleur are transplants from another bike, the rear derailleur date code is somewhat confusing and maybe the paint and decals are custom, I haven't seen that style of decals on any other Le Tours, and the two tone paint, I don't think that I've seen a schwinn with the headtube painted a different color, seems more of an English bike (Raleigh) thing, but it does look great. -Gerry

Can't tell if the first letter is a G or a C or a 6

madpogue 

There are plenty of Schwinns with a contrasting color head tube. It's the decals/lettering that don't seem to jibe with any of the catalog listings.

Hudson308 

This bike sure looks like a repaint/reletter to me. Maybe just freshening up with a repainted head tube and different graphics. The font doesn't match anything I've seen by Schwinn - at least not during that time period.
1982 catalog here
1983 catalog here

RiddleOfSteel

The two-tone is super cool. I agree the lettering/font doesn't line up with the catalogs (which I always liked for the 1982/3 model years). An extended family member had a Super Le Tour or Le Tour that had been repainted and re-decal'ed. Original parts, and the decals were even period correct--they were just shuffled around to different tubes. Really weird! I'm excited to see a drive side photo. when it's all cleaned up!

Gashepherd

The crankset does seem to match up with the 1983 catalog

Gashepherd

So checking out Ebay I've found two other schwinn bikes, one is obviously a Le Tour the other appears to be a Le Tour as well, just missing the decals. According to the headbadges they are both 1983 models and they are both the same color as my Super Le Tour, I still haven't matched the decals with anything yet, so I'm guessing mine is a very early 1983 model. The weinmann brakes are dated 1978
163957170454, 303121959417
these are the Ebay #s

Gashepherd

Does anybody know where I might be able to find the race that presses into the top of the head tube, or if this is repairable.

BFisher 

To the best of my knowledge, that style upper race was exclusive to Schwinn. Your best bet may be to search for complete vintage Schwinn headsets that match. I may be mistaken, but I think a standard 1" BMX headset might serve as a replacement.

I can't tell, but is there pitting present on that race, or is it just plating that has worn off?

Baypathbike

Built in Japan? or Chicago? Decals intended for a market outside the US? Pretty hard to believe that someone would make custom decals on a bike at this level

Gashepherd

there is definitely some serious pitting on the bearing surface

BFisher 

Bummer. I'll take a look through my stash, but I don't think I have one of those.

Gashepherd

I actually found a NOS replacement on Ebay, but I do appreciate you checking

BFisher 

Wouldn't you know it, I actually did find one here. Didn't think I still had one.

SergueiGatorski

Nice color on this frame

uncle uncle

So... by the early 80's, Schwinn was still using a 1" diameter headset? I thought that kinda stuff ended with the 70's? Huh.

Gashepherd

thank you for looking, I'm glad that I could help you take inventory of your stock