Gen 1 - 1979 5 Speed Earth Cruiser

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So a member on the BMX Museum found this Generation 1 (as indicated by the 'Cycles' head badge vs a 'Jamis' head badge) 5 speed Earth Cruiser with drum brake!!! So cool. The head badge puts it at '79-'80.

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Aside from the headbadge, how else can you date Earth Cruisers? I have an early model too but I'd like to know how old it is. Mine has the "Jamis" head tube metal badge.
 
I think there are very few clues that provide a specific indication of the date of Earth Cruisers - Here are some general characteristics I've observed -

Older Models (Pre-1982/3)

  • Chrome Fork (Akisu) Some early models had no Akisu stamps
  • No "Earth Cruiser" on guard (Gen I)
  • "Earth Cruiser" on guard
  • Cycles Badge (Gen I)
  • 3 Arrows Sprocket or 3 Arrows Replica
  • Champion Rings on Seat Tube
  • Top Tube decal has black font on gold background
  • "Earth Cruiser" font on Viscount Seat. Some early models did not have "Earth Cruiser" on the seat
  • Candy Colors, Chrome, Silver
  • Blue, Chrome, and Red Handlebars / Later had foam
  • Lacquered paint on shiny side steel wheels with heavy gauge spokes
  • Sometimes Araya anodized wheels
  • Suntour Coaster
  • Drum Brake on 5 speed
  • 3 speed offered with caliper brakes
  • Suntour replica seat clamp

Later Models (Post 1983/4)
  • Same color fork and frame
  • Multi Color "Earth Cruiser" decals
  • Anything "Sand Jam"
  • 80's colors - think Miami Vice
  • Sumo color wheels
  • No color wheels
  • Foam Handlebars
  • Shimano Coaster
 
So I have a candy blue Sand Jam with chrome Akisu stamped forks, black "Earth Crusier" font on the gold background, color matched lacquered wheels which I believe are CMC. They say KK K-85 on the front hub. My seat says "Earth Cruiser", I have foam handlebars and a Shimano coaster (it is a d-type so I'm inclined to believe it's original). I believe mine is somewhere in between the older and later models, maybe a early 1983 model...
 
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Whoa! Very nice. Based on the sprocket It’s probably ‘82 or later, so 1983 sounds spot on.

Thanks! I just got it a few days ago and put the S&M S.A.C. bars and AME grips on. I've cleaned the heck out of it over the past day or so. It has the Sand Jam shell tread tires but they're pretty rotted.
 

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