Schwinn Superior (1981-83) production per year - an observation
#26
www.theheadbadge.com
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Southern Florida
Posts: 28,517
Bikes: https://www.theheadbadge.com
Mentioned: 124 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2425 Post(s)
Liked 4,410 Times
in
2,094 Posts
The last Superior that broke the $1,000 mark was clean enough to be NOS.
-Kurt
There, there, Bob - do not gloat when a flipper falls. Love your fellow bike seller, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be gifted with many Paramounts.
-Kurt
-Kurt
There, there, Bob - do not gloat when a flipper falls. Love your fellow bike seller, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be gifted with many Paramounts.
-Kurt
#27
Freewheel Medic
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: An Island on the Coast of GA!
Posts: 12,896
Bikes: Snazzy* Schwinns, Classy Cannondales & a Super Pro Aero Lotus (* Ed.)
Mentioned: 140 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1459 Post(s)
Liked 2,206 Times
in
967 Posts
The last Superior that broke the $1,000 mark was clean enough to be NOS.
-Kurt
There, there, Bob - do not gloat when a flipper falls. Love your fellow bike seller, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be gifted with many Paramounts.
-Kurt
-Kurt
There, there, Bob - do not gloat when a flipper falls. Love your fellow bike seller, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be gifted with many Paramounts.
-Kurt
__________________
Bob
Enjoying the GA coast all year long!
Thanks for visiting my website: www.freewheelspa.com
Bob
Enjoying the GA coast all year long!
Thanks for visiting my website: www.freewheelspa.com
#28
www.theheadbadge.com
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Southern Florida
Posts: 28,517
Bikes: https://www.theheadbadge.com
Mentioned: 124 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2425 Post(s)
Liked 4,410 Times
in
2,094 Posts
#29
Junior Member
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Seattle
Posts: 14
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
My point was that if the seller really wanted to get that asking price of $950 BIN (+shipping at $180), any buyer would expect (even demand) the bike be pristine. No rust, no dust, no grease, not even fingerprints in a first class top of the line wax and polish job. Yet week after week the same Superior is listed with the same dirt and grime. Pathetic!
#30
Freewheel Medic
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: An Island on the Coast of GA!
Posts: 12,896
Bikes: Snazzy* Schwinns, Classy Cannondales & a Super Pro Aero Lotus (* Ed.)
Mentioned: 140 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1459 Post(s)
Liked 2,206 Times
in
967 Posts
My Flamboyant Red '71 should be ready to road test tomorrow or Saturday. I hope you like what I've done. Tell Michael Angelo to start drooling.
__________________
Bob
Enjoying the GA coast all year long!
Thanks for visiting my website: www.freewheelspa.com
Bob
Enjoying the GA coast all year long!
Thanks for visiting my website: www.freewheelspa.com
#31
www.theheadbadge.com
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Southern Florida
Posts: 28,517
Bikes: https://www.theheadbadge.com
Mentioned: 124 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2425 Post(s)
Liked 4,410 Times
in
2,094 Posts
#32
Freewheel Medic
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: An Island on the Coast of GA!
Posts: 12,896
Bikes: Snazzy* Schwinns, Classy Cannondales & a Super Pro Aero Lotus (* Ed.)
Mentioned: 140 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1459 Post(s)
Liked 2,206 Times
in
967 Posts
...with 27" wheels. I don't need no stinkin' drop bolt adapter!
__________________
Bob
Enjoying the GA coast all year long!
Thanks for visiting my website: www.freewheelspa.com
Bob
Enjoying the GA coast all year long!
Thanks for visiting my website: www.freewheelspa.com
#33
www.theheadbadge.com
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Southern Florida
Posts: 28,517
Bikes: https://www.theheadbadge.com
Mentioned: 124 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2425 Post(s)
Liked 4,410 Times
in
2,094 Posts
#34
Freewheel Medic
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: An Island on the Coast of GA!
Posts: 12,896
Bikes: Snazzy* Schwinns, Classy Cannondales & a Super Pro Aero Lotus (* Ed.)
Mentioned: 140 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1459 Post(s)
Liked 2,206 Times
in
967 Posts
I have to deflate the rear tire to mount the wheel. An inflated one and the chainstay bridge just don't like to dance.
I have casually looked for 700c wheels. But at the moment, I have two spare sets of 27" wheels both with high flange hubs. Campy Records with vintage Araya rims, and Schwinn Approved with the Sun CR18 polished rims. It didn't seem to make sense to acquire another set of wheels if I could make these work.
The other place I am diverging from spec is on the stem and bars. I never cared for the "feel" of the graceful sweep of the Cinelli tops to the hoods. Long rides were never comfortable.
__________________
Bob
Enjoying the GA coast all year long!
Thanks for visiting my website: www.freewheelspa.com
Bob
Enjoying the GA coast all year long!
Thanks for visiting my website: www.freewheelspa.com
#35
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Hurricane Alley , Florida
Posts: 3,903
Bikes: Treks (USA), Schwinn Paramount, Schwinn letour,Raleigh Team Professional, Gazelle GoldLine Racing, 2 Super Mondias, Carlton Professional.
Mentioned: 10 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 78 Post(s)
Liked 30 Times
in
22 Posts
I'm sure your Paramount will look fantastic. I kick myself in the ass every time I think about not hitting the "Buy It now" on that frame.......
#36
Freewheel Medic
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: An Island on the Coast of GA!
Posts: 12,896
Bikes: Snazzy* Schwinns, Classy Cannondales & a Super Pro Aero Lotus (* Ed.)
Mentioned: 140 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1459 Post(s)
Liked 2,206 Times
in
967 Posts
...and I pat myself on the back! IIRC, I thought about the BIN for maybe 5 minutes as I carefully re-read the description and looked at the pictures. Fate!
__________________
Bob
Enjoying the GA coast all year long!
Thanks for visiting my website: www.freewheelspa.com
Bob
Enjoying the GA coast all year long!
Thanks for visiting my website: www.freewheelspa.com
#37
Junior Member
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Seattle
Posts: 14
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Any recommendations for finding block letter (white w/black border) "Schwinn" decals as they appear on the Superior model? That was a standard graphic for the period and used on many different models but no one seems to have them or reproduce them in vinyl. There is one set on eBay in a Varsity combo that I am trying to get them to detach, but no response yet.
The frame went in this morning for a pearl orange two-part (90% gloss) powder coat process.
The frame went in this morning for a pearl orange two-part (90% gloss) powder coat process.
#38
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: Vermont
Posts: 561
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
You've spurred me into action. I just placed an order for some goodies for my Superior...
Brooks saddle... Mandarin Orange
Tubular tires... The red ones in 25mm width 'Elite Ride'
Bar wrap... Cinelli Cork (NOT the pink)
It's all coming pony express from California, so bear with me.
~kn
Brooks saddle... Mandarin Orange
Tubular tires... The red ones in 25mm width 'Elite Ride'
Bar wrap... Cinelli Cork (NOT the pink)
It's all coming pony express from California, so bear with me.
~kn
#39
Junior Member
Join Date: Nov 2013
Posts: 6
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Interesting in that my 82 Superior serial is 14409 and head badge is 1232. I wonder if Mainland built some and Chicago built some. How could the serial numbers be so different with the same build dae?
#40
Freewheel Medic
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: An Island on the Coast of GA!
Posts: 12,896
Bikes: Snazzy* Schwinns, Classy Cannondales & a Super Pro Aero Lotus (* Ed.)
Mentioned: 140 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1459 Post(s)
Liked 2,206 Times
in
967 Posts
The head badge stamping is not a serial number but is a date code for assembly. "1232" specifically designates that your Superior was assembled in Chicago on the "123"rd day of 198"2" or May 3, 1982.
The Serial Number stamped into the left rear dropout (I'm guessing) was placed there by Don as he brazed the frames. I believe the frames were then sent to Chicago where they were painted and had the decals and head badge installed, were built up, and then sent to dealers as completed bikes.
I'm not a Superior "Baby Paramount" expert and others should chime in and clarify. I hope this is at least helpful.
__________________
Bob
Enjoying the GA coast all year long!
Thanks for visiting my website: www.freewheelspa.com
Bob
Enjoying the GA coast all year long!
Thanks for visiting my website: www.freewheelspa.com
#41
Senior Member
Schwinn did not necessarily use frames in serial number order. In many cases bikes with "later" serial numbers were built into bikes before those with earlier numbers and vice-versa.
#42
Ride, Wrench, Swap, Race
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Northern California
Posts: 9,197
Bikes: Cheltenham-Pedersen racer, Boulder F/S Paris-Roubaix, Varsity racer, '52 Christophe, '62 Continental, '92 Merckx, '75 Limongi, '76 Presto, '72 Gitane SC, '71 Schwinn SS, etc.
Mentioned: 132 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1566 Post(s)
Liked 1,299 Times
in
867 Posts
My point was that if the seller really wanted to get that asking price of $950 BIN (+shipping at $180), any buyer would expect (even demand) the bike be pristine. No rust, no dust, no grease, not even fingerprints in a first class top of the line wax and polish job. Yet week after week the same Superior is listed with the same dirt and grime. Pathetic!
That's become a surprisingly common business model that seems to be taking on "me too" followers at a steady rate.
Just cherry-pick the 1% customers with more $ than time, those who don't want to waste any time with acquiring a wanted item.
I think perhaps Ebay shoots themselves in the foot here by facilitating these rare sales, which take up so much bandwidth on any potential customer's radar. Many of us thus now turn to evilbay only as a last resort because of this.
Increasingly, there are ebay stores where everything is 3x-5x over market, and again they are just cherrypicking for that 1%.
Ultimately these sellers may cause an inflationary trend, which just might be the goal of the 1% sellers and of the facilitating auction site, for items that are not commonly offered on competing retail websites.
#44
Junior Member
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: I live in St. Augustine,FL
Posts: 14
Bikes: 2014 Specialized Roubaix-Ultegra, Specialized 40th Anniversary Edition frameset with NOS Suntour Superbe Pro Group, 1995 Schwinn Super Sport, 198? Schwinn Superior serial# 14301 in the process of refurb. 2005 Gary Fisher Tasahara mountain bike.
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
I have a frame #14301 but no head badge. I'm starting to wonder if Don Mainland built them but they were only shipped in bulk to make it cheaper. They probably shipped once every two weeks to a month. This would keep shipping cost down on the per unit cost.
Likes For Osman82:
#45
Newbie
Dredging up a nearly decade old thread, but I believe am in possession of #20732. No headbadge came with it, and it's had a hell of a lot of changes made to it.
#47
www.theheadbadge.com
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Southern Florida
Posts: 28,517
Bikes: https://www.theheadbadge.com
Mentioned: 124 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2425 Post(s)
Liked 4,410 Times
in
2,094 Posts
-Kurt
#48
My Workshop = Happy Place
Join Date: Aug 2023
Location: Norwalk, CT
Posts: 88
Bikes: Schwinns, and many others.
Mentioned: 5 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 42 Post(s)
Liked 225 Times
in
56 Posts
I'm fairly new here, and just saw this resurrected thread. I didn't think I'd appreciate my Schwinn Superior as much as I do, yet it's NOW my go-to ride.
Serial Number: MH022907 (December 1972)
Facebook Marketplace: $100 in my hometown. I got it in pieces and went through it ALL. I added the turkey levers, because I ride on the top mostly.
I don't know why, yet the shifting and drivetrain noise is the smoothest and quietest of any of my Vintage bikes. Nice. Went 30 miles on it last weekend.
Serial Number: MH022907 (December 1972)
Facebook Marketplace: $100 in my hometown. I got it in pieces and went through it ALL. I added the turkey levers, because I ride on the top mostly.
I don't know why, yet the shifting and drivetrain noise is the smoothest and quietest of any of my Vintage bikes. Nice. Went 30 miles on it last weekend.
#49
Newbie
Here's a few shots. It's had a ton of work done. Internally routed and sleeved rear brake cable run
Aero DT shift mounts with internally sleeved shift cable runs
Reverse mounted rear brake
New fork, or one from an 83 with a heavily modified crown.
As purchased. Mish-mash of parts
Headtube
"Havnoonian" rear brake mount and internal cabling
Aero DT shifter mount with internally sleeved cable routing.
Bottom bracket w shift cable exits/guides
Aero DT shift mounts with internally sleeved shift cable runs
Reverse mounted rear brake
New fork, or one from an 83 with a heavily modified crown.
As purchased. Mish-mash of parts
Headtube
"Havnoonian" rear brake mount and internal cabling
Aero DT shifter mount with internally sleeved cable routing.
Bottom bracket w shift cable exits/guides
Likes For zenbiking:
#50
www.theheadbadge.com
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Southern Florida
Posts: 28,517
Bikes: https://www.theheadbadge.com
Mentioned: 124 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2425 Post(s)
Liked 4,410 Times
in
2,094 Posts
Somebody also milled out the bottom bracket shell while they were at it.
I've never seen a PDG with that type of fork crown; I'd say the fork is from a completely different source. That seems to be a normal occurence for almost every repainted and modified Superior I've seen.
The serial is done in the same typeface as the other '81-82 Superiors, correct?
-Kurt
I've never seen a PDG with that type of fork crown; I'd say the fork is from a completely different source. That seems to be a normal occurence for almost every repainted and modified Superior I've seen.
The serial is done in the same typeface as the other '81-82 Superiors, correct?
-Kurt
Last edited by cudak888; 02-16-24 at 10:12 AM.