Your Catch of the Day / Saved from the Dump!
11-01-17, 10:42 PM
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Good info I had gotten that far just today BUT I can't seem to find any Le Tour's with Suntour equipment AND 15 speed triple gear train. The rest seems true as for now. I have a pair of new Mavic MA-40 36 hole rims to lace onto these high flange hubs and get rid of the steel rims, (Which I don't understand either) and it will be a keeper. Not bad for a $10 thrift store throw away. Thanks for your help.
11-02-17, 04:41 AM
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That's my daily rider 
- although mine is the Canadian made version. Same lugs, same Tange, same dropouts and chrome, same headbadge, but green paint. Converted it to a 2-speed 700c commuter and it clears 35c Pasela's with full fenders. It's such a great commuter because it's a thoroughbred in disguise that owes me nothing. The thinwalled tubing has a great ring to it, too (no cable guides to dull the sound).
- although mine is the Canadian made version. Same lugs, same Tange, same dropouts and chrome, same headbadge, but green paint. Converted it to a 2-speed 700c commuter and it clears 35c Pasela's with full fenders. It's such a great commuter because it's a thoroughbred in disguise that owes me nothing. The thinwalled tubing has a great ring to it, too (no cable guides to dull the sound).
11-02-17, 06:50 AM
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Kind of a low end Schwinn Folsom Jack, to come with a triple crankset. Might have had it's quick release wheels, stolen when it was locked up someplace.
11-02-17, 10:51 PM
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Good info I had gotten that far just today BUT I can't seem to find any Le Tour's with Suntour equipment AND 15 speed triple gear train. The rest seems true as for now. I have a pair of new Mavic MA-40 36 hole rims to lace onto these high flange hubs and get rid of the steel rims, (Which I don't understand either) and it will be a keeper. Not bad for a $10 thrift store throw away. Thanks for your help.
11-03-17, 09:18 AM
Bikes are okay, I guess.
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Look up a mid-'80s Schwinn Le Tour Luxe. SunTour stuff with a triple, but probably a 6-speed cluster.
11-03-17, 10:49 AM
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C. Itoh was a marketing company that had their bikes made by Bridgestone. Bridgestone bikes had the same "Tested Finest Bicycle..." decal. It is very similar to the BS Kabuki Super Speed that I have.
Here is some info from Sheldon Brown:
"The Kabuki line used some unusual construction techniques, specifically, a system of sticking the frame tubes into a special mold and forming cast aluminum "lugs" in place around the ends of the tubes. The most notable of this line was the "Submariner" which used un-painted stainless steel tubing, and was marketed in seacoast areas for its rust-resistance. Because the cast aluminum lugs were not flexible like steel lugs, these bikes didn't use a conventional seat-post binder. Instead, they used a seat post with an expander wedge like that of a handlebar stem...you had to remove the saddle from the seatpost to adjust the height, then re-install the saddle! Even sillier, many of these frames had what looked like a conventional seatpost bolt mounted in a projection of the rigid lug, simply to provide a place to mount a cable stop for the center-pull caliper brake!"
Here is some info from Sheldon Brown:
"The Kabuki line used some unusual construction techniques, specifically, a system of sticking the frame tubes into a special mold and forming cast aluminum "lugs" in place around the ends of the tubes. The most notable of this line was the "Submariner" which used un-painted stainless steel tubing, and was marketed in seacoast areas for its rust-resistance. Because the cast aluminum lugs were not flexible like steel lugs, these bikes didn't use a conventional seat-post binder. Instead, they used a seat post with an expander wedge like that of a handlebar stem...you had to remove the saddle from the seatpost to adjust the height, then re-install the saddle! Even sillier, many of these frames had what looked like a conventional seatpost bolt mounted in a projection of the rigid lug, simply to provide a place to mount a cable stop for the center-pull caliper brake!"
There were also some C. Itoh bicycles manufactured in Mexico by ACER-MEX circa 1970.
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11-04-17, 01:29 PM
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Now that makes sense, BUT the cranks are Sugino GT triple chain-ring The rest of the Groupo is Suntour including the stem mounted shifters AND a long cage rear deraileur by Suntour ,all a matching set. Every-thing else is as specked including the original tires on original steel rims. Why would any-one go to all that trouble and expense and not change out the wheel-set. There are NO decals or identification any where except the round Schwinn /Chicago badge.
Last edited by Folsomjack; 11-04-17 at 01:30 PM. Reason: Pictures
11-04-17, 07:16 PM
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Now that makes sense, BUT the cranks are Sugino GT triple chain-ring The rest of the Groupo is Suntour including the stem mounted shifters AND a long cage rear deraileur by Suntour ,all a matching set. Every-thing else is as specked including the original tires on original steel rims. Why would any-one go to all that trouble and expense and not change out the wheel-set. There are NO decals or identification any where except the round Schwinn /Chicago badge.
I'm pretty sure you have Frankenbike kludged together from at least 2 or 3 different bikes but it's a decent enough frame and drivetrain that should work nicely together so make the best of it and enjoy the ride. 
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11-05-17, 10:39 AM
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I switch components between bikes like some people change their socks so that doesn't seem odd at all to me. If you got hold of some of my "creations" you'd REALLY be confused. I'm pretty sure you have Frankenbike kludged together from at least 2 or 3 different bikes but it's a decent enough frame and drivetrain that should work nicely together so make the best of it and enjoy the ride.
I'm pretty sure you have Frankenbike kludged together from at least 2 or 3 different bikes but it's a decent enough frame and drivetrain that should work nicely together so make the best of it and enjoy the ride. Last edited by Folsomjack; 11-05-17 at 10:41 AM. Reason: Add info
11-05-17, 12:11 PM
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I just don't think so. The groupo is complete and original and who in their right mind would use these shifters ? I have to believe it is all all factory piece lacking all the decal's. The drop-out # is SG 803923 and there has to be a member here who can solve this with data.
Some good info and pics of a '79 here....
LeTour IV Schwinn
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11-05-17, 03:58 PM
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The '78 frame date code, color, stamped dropouts, high flange hubs in steel rims, bolt on rear wheel, chrome cap and socks on the fork and the braze on cable stop on the down tube for the derailleur cables with stem shifters are consistent with a very early 1979 LeTour IV. The '78 LeTour III and '79 Super LeTour II had clamp on stops for the derailleur cables. That said the crankset and derailleurs would NOT be correct for any LeTour of that vintage. My money says it's an early '79 LeTour IV with a different drivetrain.
Some good info and pics of a '79 here....
https://www.bikeforums.net/classic-vintage/843579-letour-iv-schwinn.html
Some good info and pics of a '79 here....
https://www.bikeforums.net/classic-vintage/843579-letour-iv-schwinn.html
Since the Suntour Mountec group came out in 1983, I believe you are right!!!! Thanks.
11-05-17, 04:38 PM
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Glad I could help, it was a great buy, just the crankset alone was worth a lot more than $10. Should make a pretty nice riding bike when you're done. That's one of my favorite Schwinn colors.
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11-06-17, 03:33 PM
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@Murray_Missle, nice detective work on the Le Tour.
Last edited by Hummer; 11-06-17 at 03:34 PM. Reason: fix the reference
11-06-17, 06:50 PM
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Saved these two bikes from an unknown fate. They were given to me by the older original owners and both had been converted to fixed gear. The larger one is a Dilecta Le Blanc touring frame (60's) the smaller 49cm a Gianella by Gianella Cycles Montreal. Equipped with Super Champion rims and Campy and Pelissier hubs. I hate the idea of spending so much time and money to re-dish the rear wheels and add all the stuff required to shift. Maybe their fate truly is unknown?
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11-06-17, 07:47 PM
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@Murray_Missle, nice detective work on the Le Tour.
I was bound and determined to figure out what it was. I've had several Schwinns of that vintage over the years and I was pretty sure it had to be a LeTour from the gitgo just wasn't sure which one until I spotted those cable stops on the down tube.
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11-21-17, 07:37 AM
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1) My mom's Alpa/Special from 1956. She wanted to throw it away. Since i learned to ride on that thing i thought i might try to restore it because emotional value and stuff. It was my first restoration project and i learned a lot thanks to it.
Upper pic is how i found it, lower pic is how it looks now. Funny thing is that i didn't touch the Sturmey hub and i'm pretty sure no one did since 1956. It still shifts like a charm and coasts like forever.
Still some work to do. Just recently i found the original kind of lights it had. Have to fit them.
Upper pic is how i found it, lower pic is how it looks now. Funny thing is that i didn't touch the Sturmey hub and i'm pretty sure no one did since 1956. It still shifts like a charm and coasts like forever.
Still some work to do. Just recently i found the original kind of lights it had. Have to fit them.
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11-21-17, 07:46 AM
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2) Tigra Sprint Super Leger from 1967
Reynolds 531 frame. Bought it for 20 swiss franks from a guy who restores and sells old bikes for a hobby. He amassed a whole garage full of bikes and was about to throw the ones in the worst shape away:
Tigra-1.jpg
Reynolds 531 frame. Bought it for 20 swiss franks from a guy who restores and sells old bikes for a hobby. He amassed a whole garage full of bikes and was about to throw the ones in the worst shape away:
Tigra-1.jpg
11-22-17, 08:30 PM
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Raleigh Cycle Company of America
Picked up this mixte frame 10 speed at the junk yard last week. What do you know about Raleigh Cycle company of America? It was owned by Huffy, but this bike seems to be far beyond the quality I'd expect from Huffy: adjustable drop-outs, all alloy bars, stem, crank, seat post and wheels. It's marked Grand Prix. I'd certainly appreciate a little info. Thanks so much.
11-28-17, 03:21 PM
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11-28-17, 07:20 PM
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12-03-17, 09:59 AM
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Turns out there’s a bicycle junkyard here in town. It was a dangerous discovery. Mostly Huffys and American Flyers, but there are some gems in there in varying states of decay.
First haul: 1989 Cannondale SR400, 1979 Miyata Lemans Course, and a Schwinn Mesa Runner. The Miyata is neat, as far as I can tell it’s from Japan, made for the Japanese market.
First haul: 1989 Cannondale SR400, 1979 Miyata Lemans Course, and a Schwinn Mesa Runner. The Miyata is neat, as far as I can tell it’s from Japan, made for the Japanese market.
12-03-17, 10:35 AM
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Here is a custom built racer frame that needs attention in a bad way.
Obrien columbus
Obrien columbus
12-03-17, 01:39 PM
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1) My mom's Alpa/Special from 1956. She wanted to throw it away. Since i learned to ride on that thing i thought i might try to restore it because emotional value and stuff. It was my first restoration project and i learned a lot thanks to it.
Upper pic is how i found it, lower pic is how it looks now. Funny thing is that i didn't touch the Sturmey hub and i'm pretty sure no one did since 1956. It still shifts like a charm and coasts like forever.
Still some work to do. Just recently i found the original kind of lights it had. Have to fit them.
Upper pic is how i found it, lower pic is how it looks now. Funny thing is that i didn't touch the Sturmey hub and i'm pretty sure no one did since 1956. It still shifts like a charm and coasts like forever.
Still some work to do. Just recently i found the original kind of lights it had. Have to fit them.
12-04-17, 12:08 AM
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Here's a 1980 Voyageur I picked up. Saw it on Facebook Saturday night and emailed. It was 150 miles away, but there is a very highly rated MTB trail system right there, so I thought, 'I'll pick it up and go ride the trails!" Bad communication, really too late for original plan, the seller finally said, 'come on.' Sat down to say, 'Sorry, it's too late in the day' and all, and 'I'll leave now' came out instead. Weird. It was worth it though. The thing is in stellar cond. and I took a short ride when I got home. It's feels fantastic. Why in 'saved from the dump?' If the singer/actor Jerry Reed had a crazy, fume huffing look-alike brother who sold bikes on FB and came to the door with his pants falling down, that's the guy! I couldn't stick 95.00 in a guy's hands and grab a bike any faster!
https://scontent-dft4-3.xx.fbcdn.net...32&oe=5A8B9EE2
https://scontent-dft4-3.xx.fbcdn.net...32&oe=5A8B9EE2