Chrome Schwinn on eBay
 

It's item #7146356653. Can somebody identify this bike? I'm not really into Schwinns (other than Paramounts), but I've always admired chrome bikes. The seller obviously has no clue.

i think the seller dose have a clue.

Guess that would depend on your definition & perspective. The auction has no indication of the model, the year was admittedly guessed at, there's very little in the way of information about the componentry.

No doubt the seller is doing their best, with the knowledge they have, but there are plenty of things they could have done to help increase the ultimate price they'll get for it.

Not a paramount, certainly. My guess'd be a Voyager SP. I think I remember that they were all chrome-plated beneath the paint...that would be a Panasonic-made bike, maybe? Those are altus derailleurs and, I think, a super-maxy crank. Altus was an 80's thing. Pretty good stuff, really. Way worth $20...

wait...after looking at the schwinn data book I wanna change my vote...super le tour, but early 80's, after the end of the catalogs in the data book. That one had altus, super maxy, and weinmann 605 brakes. could be that we have a match, here, except for the shimano brake levers.

My guess would be a Voyageur 11.8 from 1980. Definitely not a Panasonic.

1980 Voyageur 11.8 would be my guess also(I have one). The Super LeTour 12.2 was also available in chrome about this same time. Kerk, I thought this Voyageur 11.8 was made by Panasonic. Who made it if they did not? I know that "Dopey" on the Schwinn forums says that some of the Schwinn Japanese imports were made by Bridgestone, but every other source that I have seen says Panasonic.

Duh!! I meant to say definitely not a Chicago! I've heard different storys about Panasonic, Bridgestone and I think Giant for the 11.8, but all Japan.

I could be wrong, but I think Giant is from Taiwan and didn't start supplying bikes to Schwinn till later than this one.

Giant is from Taiwan. And they started supplying in 1980 I believe. They have a serial code on one of the rear dropouts that starts with G (according to oldschwinn.com R.I.P.).

You guys are right, Giant is in Taiwan. That's where some of the later Voyageurs came from. I have one from 1984. It's an ok ride, but not like the 73's. Good thing this chrome bike isn't my size, or I wouldn't be able to stop myself from bidding! I don't have an 11.8....yet.

FWIW I think the bike is a Super LeTour 12.2 about 1979 vintage. I "worked" (too young for it to be legal) in a Schwinn shop then and remember a bike like that sitting in the racks. Beautiful bike with a princely price of about $300.

For $112 someone got a nice bike imho.

:beer:

i had my bike with me when i was staying at the hilton (in calif)for a month...i was in the elevator when this guy tells me that i should ride a giant....we talked for a bit ..turns out he was prez...lol

$142 after shipping but I still think I got a nice deal on it. I don't know much about Schwinns but have always wanted a chrome road bike. I might fix this one up but we'll see. What can I provide by way of markings on it to definitively identify this baby?

Any feedback would be appreciated.

Look for the date code stamped into the headbadge. Four digit number. Look close, the numbers are pretty small. Also look for the manufacturers name on the dropouts.

Sierra--

How do you interpret the date code on the headbadge? I posted yesterday about my Schwinn Superior. I did notice 4 digits there, but with help discovered the serial number on the left rear dropout. You're first to mention the significance of the numbers stamped on the front ofthe bike.

Much appreciated! :)

I have seen only two chrome Schwinns up close -- a Paramount and a 1961 Continental that my friend's father chrome-dipped at his oil tool manufacturing plant.

Jazz Lover, the first three digits are the sequential day of the year. The last digit is the year of the decade. The decade must be guessed, but is usually the eighties. If you decide you want to sell your Superior, I may be interested. What is the frame size?

I'll keep you posted once it arrives.

Thanks.

Thanx for breaking the code! 0942 = April 1982.

The size is 23" (my wife was 5' 7").

I'm thinking of bringing it to my LBS for a quick clean-up/tune-up (with clear instructions not to mess with any of the stickers/decals) and then selling on e-bay.

Sounds like a good plan. Selling the bike on ebay will probably maximize the selling price. Ebay brings you a very large market. I will watch for it, but it will undoubtedly go for more than I am willing to pay. I have my heart set on an '83 model with the silver/grey paint and gold art deco decals.

Ebay is pure supply and demand. I have got some great deals on Ebay, but you need to know what something is worth and then wait for the right moment. Bikes with odd sizes/brands tend to offer the best deals. Sometimes bikes (and other things) come on the market with low "buy it now" prices: these are also good buys if you get them before someone else. That's the risk of "buy it now" when the seller doesn't know the real value of something.

But a 23" Schwinn is fairly mainstream, so it will probably fetch a good price. Much much higher than the classifieds or a garage sale for sure.

#1150 is the number stamped on headbadge. That would make it April 1980 correct? The bike is really dirty. It also has two noticeable dents on the top tube. I'm thinking of returning it.

1150 means it was made on the 150th day of 1981. Don't let the dirt deter you, that can be cleaned. The dents are a different story. They should have disclosed that for sure. You might try for some of your money back. Sometimes that is easier than reshipping.

"1150 means it was made on the 150th day of 1981"

I think it actually means the 115th day of 1980. I'm pretty sure that the last digit signifies the year.

WAIT, WAIT...DON'T GO AWAY!
Can you (or anyone) tell me more about the Voyageur SP? I bought one off ebay last fall. What does the SP stand for? Also, about this chrome-plating beneath paint...I just had my frame powder coated and had no idea about the chrome beneath the paint, not that I would have changed my mind except this must have been a good rust preventative. The powder coat guys sand blasted the frame except for the visible 1/3 chrome front forks and rear stays. I'm very excited to see it. I've done various searchs on this forum and others and find extremely little on the V SP. Can anyone offer more info on this model? I'm embarrased to say I've yet to pin down it's age but when purchased the seller said he thought it was an '81. After seeing some of the dating clues here, I'll be looking more closely when getting her, hopefully tomorrow. I'd appreciate any info on this touring bike. Thanks Much.