Very nice find. :)

Ive posted this every where. Its my 73 Schwinn World Voyageur.
http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y16...ps45fb4530.jpg

Now I just need to get the funds lined up for a kool lemon world voyageur and ill be content

https://scontent-a-dfw.xx.fbcdn.net/...89832572_n.jpg
https://scontent-b-dfw.xx.fbcdn.net/...81965109_n.jpg
https://scontent-b-dfw.xx.fbcdn.net/...89673701_n.jpg
https://scontent-a-dfw.xx.fbcdn.net/...16819731_n.jpg

Sorry for the bad photos, these were taken with my phone.

That's pretty.

1987 Schwinn Voyageurhttp://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=389573

Got this '75-ish Voyageur II off CL a couple days ago. It appears to be well worn but all original, down to the tires. Not sure if the "pseudo-suede" seat is factory, though. http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=389602http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=389603http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=389604http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=389605http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=389606

Nice! That looks exactly like the victory shot I took for a friend of the bike above when I was loading it up after the deal! :)

You're pretty much spot on!

Nice score! I do believe that is all original including the Fujita Seamless Super Y.F.C saddle. Those saddles had a very thin leather skin and were easily damaged. You can see pics of a kind of rough one here for comparison: BMXmuseum.com For Sale / Vintage Fujita Y.F.C. Seamless Super Leather Seat

See if the undercarriage of your saddle matches those pics and/or if you can see any remnants of the gold printed labeling on the sides. To me it looks like the real thing, and if so I'd consider having it recovered as these are fairly rare. Pretty amazing to see it even still has the original tires, and they look pretty good. It also appears to have the original KKT toe clips and straps, also very rare to see still present on these. The only thing I can see missing on that bike are the "Schwinn Approved" extension levers on the Dia-Compe brakes. Fortunately those are very easy to find should you want to restore the bike to complete originality.

http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=389629http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=389630http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=389631http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=389632


Here's my '85. Looking for one of the '74-'76 versions as well!

I can finally post my bike here!

I was looking for a bike to have customized into a somewhat upright ride that I could do centuries or light touring on. I'd narrowed my choices down to a few contenders, and combed Craigslist for about a month. Meanwhile, I lined up a talented restoration guy to restore and modify whatever bike I found.

I'm not tall and I have a short torso, so finding something in my size that wasn't a mixte was a bit of a challenge. Then I saw a posting for one of the bikes on my "want" list -- a Voyageur 11.8. It was a good price, in my size, and it was CHROME! SOLD!!

Took it to my restoration guy and he completely tore it down, polished, cleaned, rebuilt and repacked everything. Then he added fenders, a front rack, a Brooks B67, and flipped Albatross bars with inverted brake levers. While there is still a lot I want to do to this bike eventually, I'm beyond thrilled with how it stands now.

The black bartape is temporary until I'm certain I'm happy with the handlebar position (not sure if I'll keep them inverted -- I like the look, but my nerve damaged wrists might need me to be more upright). Then I'll be putting on some VO sewon Elkhide covers.

Oh, and my restoration guy is the very talented John Zeni, a man with a passion for bringing old bikes back to life, and shows it in all his work. Check out his blog and the extensive documentation he does for each bike he restores: John's Bicycle Restorations

(Photo credit to John.)
http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=393630

1982 S/P
http://i228.photobucket.com/albums/e...psckjyindy.jpg

@VeryNot

Your bike looks spectacular! Chrome bikes in general just dominate. Chrome Voyageurs have a very special look to them- whether it's the Schwinn block logo or whatever it is- It's attractive.

Are you planning on a front bag, like an Acorn or Berthoud? Those would look perfectly at home on that bike.

John Zeni is a great guy and a hell of a mechanic/restorer. I don't know how many times I've said this- he really "gets" bicycles. He understands how to make your bike appeal to you on so many levels, as a functional rider, as a smooth running machine and as a beautiful object. He did the same thing to my Trek 720 touring bike, and as with every bike I see on his blog, he's made your bike beautiful and I'll lay dollars to doughnuts that it shifts and moves and rolls flawlessly.

Congratulations and thanks for sharing!

Thanks! It's such a great bike and I'm thrilled to have found it.

My dream bag is the Acorn Boxy Rando, but they are of course difficult to obtain. Since I need a bag right away, I managed to find some Zimbale bags on ebay and bought a small front rack trunk and small saddle bag -- both are olive canvas duck with orangey-red leather straps and accents. Nice and traditional looking, but also very functional for my needs.

I just can't say enough good things about John. Not only is he a master at restoration, but, like you said, he seems equally concerned about the machanicals. And when I first approached him to build up a French-style touring bike, he was able to help focus what I was looking for in a bike and completely deliver on it. When he first suggested a more upright ride with swept back bars, I was at first resistant, because I wanted a "serious" bike for distances, not something that was just cute. But given my hand/wrist issues and short torso, and inability to ever get comfortable on drop bars, what he suggested made a lot of sense. He sent me photos of bikes to show me what he was thinking of, and finally, I agreed with him. What he's delivered is exactly what I wanted: something not only aesthetically beautiful, but also absolutely functional for my needs. And I know when I take possession of it tomorrow, it's going to ride as beautifully as it looks.

And to top it all off, his prices are so reasonable! I wish I knew more people who were into C&V bikes that I could send to him! Though he doesn't seem to lack for work. =)

Another view, photo again by John:
http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=393773

Schwinn Voyageur - just picked up and need help with Serial # ID for year etc.
 

http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=396055I picked this up last night and am pretty excited that it'is my size 56cm. Original owner was recommending Goodwill but thankfully his wife recommended posting it on CL. It was listed as "15 speed Schwinn" Owner was in the service and used it for tours in mid-west with his service buddies - possibly why he chose green.

Everything is very dust/dirty but I can see that after a complete cleaning I'll have a nice vintage touring specific bike, of which I have been watching for.

This pic is of the the original CL post as I have not taken pics - like to admire as-is till I get time to work on it. Unfortunately its not of the business side so I'll get some of that side.

The serial number is 6B21351 and is stamped on the lower center of the headset. Sticker says Columbus and it has rack braze-ons on forks and rear. It has biopace crank and canti's. Brake levers say GC(?) and DR's are shimano with no model visible.

That looks like an '86 in "British Pine", the only color available that year. You can see the original catalog page here: Schwinn 1986 Lightweight Bicycles -- Voyageur

Specs are here: http://bikecatalogs.org/SCHWINN/1986...1986Ltwt31.JPG

I believe the serial number indicates a Feb. '86 frame, but the 4-digit number stamped into the headbadge will reveal the actual day and year the bike was built.

That's a great bike.

The GC means "Gran Compe." That's the premiere brand for DiaCompe. The best levers with the best finish on them.

If you got the panniers and handlebar bag with it- those are good bags- price those out for new ones these days...

I love my Voyageur, I'll bet you'll love yours!

thank you metacortex - I went through the list of specs and all 24 lbs. are accounted for plus dust, rack, and bags.
I like the green - to me it shows a utilitarian and unassuming character...and she means business.

Thanks GB - "Gran Compe" wasnt listed in the specs but happy to know they're a bit special.

The dusty mess of bags are "Voyageur" as well. We'll have to wash them and see how they turn out.

Sakae/Ringyo (SR) Silstar SP-11 pedals are unusual - having just the reflectors hanging down where the opposite side of the pedal is usually found - at first I thought the pedals were broken and only half the platform was left! :))

So what tires does a tourer get for 27 rims these days? My inclination is to maintain original as possible so will stay with the 27's for now.

oh - forgot to mention the head-badge didn't have numbers stamped in it - and I recall somewhere they discontinued doing that around 86 but could be wrong.

I would check again as that practice continued at least into the 1990s. The numbers are small and often hard to see.

The SP-11 were the top of the line touring pedals used on the flagship tourers of the mid 80s.

Really, your whole bike is a LOT of some of the best stuff in Touring Bikes in 1986.

Schwinn used to have the prime touring bikes as the Voyageur and the Voyageur SP. The SP was the flagship, top of the line tourer, with the best frame and the best components. I have a 1984 Voyageur SP. I don't think I even understood how much of "the good ****" was on the VSP until I thought about the Sealed Bearing Hubs and put that in context of 1984. That's space age stuff. The "Voyageur" had a little different frame and a lot of the same components, but sometimes a step down the component level. Regardless, it was still a PRIME, badass touring bike.

In 1986, Schwinn wrapped their premiere touring program into the Voyageur- a new Columbus Tenax frame, and a lot of the Class A components from the VSP with some of the good components out of the Voyageur.

You've got a REALLY nice bike. The Tenax frame, the Gran Compe levers, the SP-11 pedals, the best ratcheting shifters Shimano ever made, the really cool quick release DiaCompe cable hangers (take care of those- they're awesome and pretty much impossible to find now days), the bomb-proof Wolber wheels, I think you've got the DiaCompe 981 brakes... It's a REALLY nice bike. Plus, like you said, that green with the gold and red decals looks really "business."

Be careful washing your panniers, detergent may cause the old waterproofing to just start causing a flaky mess. I'd try dry brushing or maybe a rinse and brushing- but no detergent.

As far as tires go- I've got 3 old tourers, and I'm running Panaracer Pasela Tourguard (or PT model- Same thing) 27 x 1 1/4. If you do ever want to go to 700C... I don't know how the Voyageur was done- but a lot of older 27" wheeled canti-braked bikes had the cantilever posts not only higher, but also narrower- so it *may* cause issues if you were to go to 700C. However, I've read that the DC981s are really adjustable.

FWIW- here's my 1984 VSP

http://i1294.photobucket.com/albums/...ps82438fe9.jpg

http://www.bikeforums.net/attachment...7&d=1404151361

By the way- my old 86 Voyageur headbadge and my 84 VSP headbadge:

https://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/71...90/34/0uo5.jpg


https://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/71...0/841/u7mo.jpg

GB -
Right you are - I didn't look close enough to see that the head-badge IS stampedhttp://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=396167.
Thanks for all the info and no doubt will be a nice reference for future searchers as well.
Regarding the bags I appreciate your suggestion - may brush them and then tumble them on low with some damp towels.
I'll be looking into the Panaracer Pasela Tourguards. I'm tempted to convert to bar-end shifting but will make that a low priority for now. That's a clean machine you have there - nice pic!