From 1 bike guy to another

[Oak Tree]

Got this local Schwinn today. He may be a member here- if so, speak up. Anyone guess what year? Do serial numbers work on these later models?

local shop sticker. No longer in business. Note the lack of area code

and these levers

 

[SoBayRon]

It is mid to late ‘80s. The serial numbers do not tell you much, but there should be a four digit Julian date code on the head badge. Last number in the string is the year within the decade.

 

[Oak Tree]

Does anybody know what those brackets on the back side of the fork are for?

 

[bigb]

Does anybody know what those brackets on the back side of the fork are for?

Fender? With that design the fender bracket can't get to the axle nut because the tube is in the way.

 

[indianadave]

80's Schwinn Cruiser
Can be made into cool 26" BMX cruisers with that straight fork.
I've got a mint blue single speed coaster that I've done the BMX thing to. Don't have any good pics on this computer, though.

 

[Oak Tree]

Yelp. Looks like an 86 model-maybe. Does anyone have the catalog from that year?
In other original pics on the World Wide Web, I’m seeing those weird brackets on the forks but no fenders. Still don’t know about those

 

[SoBayRon]

I have a mens built in 84 and a ladies 85. No fenders came on either, but both forks as such. What is your head badge date?

 

[SoBayRon]

From the 1986 catalog.

 

[Gearhead Kevin]

I can see who my local Craigslist competition is (I'm joking)....

 

[Oak Tree]

Na, I don’t buy much. I’ve got too many already.
But a 26” BMX fork Schwinn for that price was impossible to pass up.
yes, I think it’s an 86 cuz it’s got the Schwinn sticker down the seat post like the catalog pic.
thanks y’all

 

[indianadave]

They were for fenders.
My yellow one had fenders on it when I got it.

 

[SoBayRon]

They were for fenders.
My yellow one had fenders on it when I got it.

View attachment 176514

Fenders are standard on Heavy Duti’s like yours but not on Cruisers.

 

[indianadave]

They use the same frame and fork. The frame also has the tabs for a rear rack on the dropouts.
My blue cruiser frame and fork are exactly the same as my Heavy Duti.

 

[SoBayRon]

That’s correct. Cruisers did not have fenders unless they were aftermarket and installed by the dealer or bike owner. HD had fenders as standard issue from the factory in Taiwan as shown in the catalog pics. Forks were the same for both.

 

[MattiThundrrr]

Heavy Duty is not the same frame, at least not according to Schwinn. In their catalog, they claimed it was reinforced. Unusual to see a HD with a straight fork too

https://bikehistory.org/bikes/heavyduti/

 

[indianadave]

"According to the catalog"
My guess is it's just marketing...
The wheels had heavier gauge spokes. The tires were thicker. But these frames I have are exactly alike.
They "might" be heavier wall tubing, but I doubt it.

 

[musclebikemadman]

"According to the catalog"
My guess is it's just marketing...
The wheels had heavier gauge spokes. The tires were thicker. But these frames I have are exactly alike.
They "might" be heavier wall tubing, but I doubt it.

On my older '64 and '65 HDs there was an extra amount of weld at a few points. They are the old cantilever style and where canti tubes meet seat post and bottom tube is an extra weld. Not sure if that is what they did, if anything on the model you have.

 

[Oak Tree]

That’s what I love about this site- ask a question and lots of knowledge, experience and advice comes out. Well, mine won’t be having fenders.
I am collecting parts for another build and thought I’d put them on this Schwinn for the time being.

Who’s gonna be the first to spot the single most valuable part?

 

[MattiThundrrr]

Gold star to whoever gets it first!

 

[musclebikemadman]

That’s what I love about this site- ask a question and lots of knowledge, experience and advice comes out. Well, mine won’t be having fenders.
I am collecting parts for another build and thought I’d put them on this Schwinn for the time being.
View attachment 176553
Who’s gonna be the first to spot the single most valuable part?

The crank sprocket