Got a Freebie
 

I just got a freebie today. Not such a great bike but it willl do for now. Don't know the year but will find out as soon as I can. It is a Schwinn Le Tour, Yellow. Bike is in decient shape but need allot of love. Will post pics when I get them. Kinda excited got me a fixerupper and it may give me a few bucks toward a better bike.

Careful-once you get that Le Tour cleaned and tuned, you may just want to keep it! If it's your size and it turns out to be in good condition, give it a shot. And yes-pics ASAP!

Yea I am really starting to like this bike. But like I said it need lots of love. The tires are dryrotted. I tend to think they may be the original tires. The rear derailleur says Le Tour I am assuming it is a Shimano. The front also is the original one. All the cables need replaced seeing they are all rusted but work and move freely. The Bike is in great condition but like I said it needs lots of love to be road ready. As requested here are some pics. I have a question though I found the serial number on the left rear drop out. The serial number begins with AF. But the research I have done tells me that due to the location of the serial number the youngest it can be is 1969. But the AF tells me it is a 1970 model. I checked all over the bike and the only numbers stamped in the frame are where I indicated. Any help on pinning down the year?

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v4...r/100_0692.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v4...r/100_0691.jpg

Pretty sure the first generation Panasonic Le Tours with that logo were introduced in 74 and were produced up through 76.

Does yours have alloy wheels? Mine had mismatched steel wheels, definitely benefited from a new alloy rims.

Pretty fun bike, enjoy!

Not sure if the rims are alloy or what yet. I took a few more pics today as well. The drive train is all branded Le Tour. Both derailleurs and the cranks. The bike was made in Japan. Here are the pics.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v4...r/100_0702.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v4...r/100_0701.jpg

Looks and sounds like the bike is pretty much original. I believe those were originally equipped with Weimann alloy rims.

My wife's 80s Schwinn World (made by Giant) has a set of Rigida steel rims, and although they are in great shape, they are heavy. Seems like steel looks very 'chromy' like the chrome part of the fork, but alloy is less shiny and reflective. Hard to tell from the photos.

Love that shade of yellow!

Yea the rims are chromed. The rims on my Raleigh are aluminum alloy and has a totally different finish. No shine. So I am assuming the rims are chrome plated steel.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v4...r/100_0699.jpg

Use Koolstop brake pads if your gonna keep the steel wheels. The paint looks to be in really good shape. Also, a little steel wool will clean those wheels up nice.

Thanks for the hint on the chrome. I plan on keeping the bike as original as I can. The paint does have a few scratches and nicks here and there but nothing major. Just have to find a matching touch up paint for them. The forks lower part is supposed to be shiny looks like it may have been polished then clear coated but now they are rusted hope to be able to clean them up with out much trouble.

Hey bakpakr, thanks for finding my bike, the one behind the guy in the groovy circa-1974 shorts :roflmao2:

hehe yea I like the halter top too.

Finally got the Schwinn in good enough shape to take it for a ride. Man this bike rides nice. Will take some getting used to though. I usually ride mountain bikes so the shifting will take some practice also the braking is a bit different due to the handlebars. But this bike flies compared to my mountain bike. All in all great ride and I am really starting to like this bike.

I'm a very happy member of the LeTour club..Of course you're going to like it..It's a "Schwinn"!! Mine's of the 82 vintage..

Don't say we didn't warn you! And welcome to the club:

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y87...n/192_9234.jpg

They clean up rather well.

I went through it and adjusted everything and lubed it up. Haven't started the tear down yet. Just wanted to get a feel for how it rode and to give it a good road test to see what might be amiss. Both derailleurs worked great no missed shifts, brakes work but tend to squeal a bit. Bottom bracket turned smoothly with no signs of problems. Wheel bearings roll smooth. So it looks like it is going to be and easy rebuild, just tear down clean inspect, relube and reassemble. I plan on replacing all the cables and housings. Retape the bars and give the bike a good clean and derusting. The rims don't have much rust at all on them. But the chain guard in the bottom bracket is pretty rusty may need to either replace it or have it rechromed. All in all I really like this bike and plan to get many miles and years of enjoyment out of it. But I do still plan on getting a new model of road bike. Haven't decided which one yet. Got to get the :love:Le Tour:love: done first. Road bikes are a big switch for me as all I have been riding for the last number of years is mountain bikes. But I am finding I may be becoming a roadie :lol:

Hehehehehehe, nothing like having a new convert added to our C & V forum :D .

The yellow is very snazzy!

East Hill

Paint and decals are way better than all 6 or seven schwinns in the garage here. free is always a good price!