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1992 Rock Hopper Comp with a 1993 Rock Shox Mag 20 in gray.

even the tires are some old Specialized Fat Boy 1.25’s
 

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Because my brother ordered and bought the bike brand new in 1985. Anaheim Schwinn assisted him on the build and he went all-out. It lived most of its life hanging in various garages. Because the branding/decals were applied after the clearcoat, they faded away over the years. I have Schwinn Authorized replacement decals that accurately match the old pics he has of it. The only original sticker on the bike is a small "Made In Japan" near the bottom of the seat tube.
 
Hi
I have one of these same frames with a Serial number BS367823. By this Serial number it was made in 1981 but others say 1983 due to the Asian Serial number Guide. Schwinn use the B=month and S= 1981 but the ASNG say B=month S= Asian made and 3 = year. I consider both can be right but Schwinn did use S for 1981. I have seen only a small number of the frames. with only 3 and 4 being the first numbers. The serial number on these frames being the Schwinn format that was used in 1981 I feel it would have not been used by Schwinn again in 1983 or 1985 as it would have have serial number legality issues for Schwinn of issuing the same number again for both years.
I refer you to another forum https://www.bikeforums.net/classic-vintage/376857-id-lugged-schwinn-mtb-frame-3.html for a long standing discussion. and this one

https://www.mtbr.com/threads/alternative-schwinn-atb-view.226379/

Both I have contributed to but the Alternative Schwinn goes back earlier to 2006 where I used one less and a name.

I recently viewed a Specialised Stumpjumper of 1982 that is almost the same as these frames

I am still crumbling
 
Hey Karate Chicken Industries,
Is it possible to state the Serial number as on the frame. It will help with determining the year. There is no need to give the full number you may have some security issues but to know the first two letters and the first 2 numbers and how many numbers there are. My frame is BS3667823 but express as BS36nnnnn.
I know my view is against the ASNG format as it is not completely proven to match these frames as Schwinn has stated from 1965 that B= February and S = 1981. I have asked Bianche for a description of the SN format on the Asian made frames and they do not know what is is or who made the frames but it is proven Schwinn did use S for 1981.
I have a copy of the Schwinn ATB Owners Operating Manual for a frame of 1982 that is stamped GT502469 as the Serial number with a Final inspection date 266 82 and the frame is a SW1-9 that complies with a 1982 build and completion. It is quite common for the Serial Number date to be years different from the completion date as the Serial Number is stamped at the beginning of the frame manufacture. Do you have the original forks for your frame. These ATB frame never came with a final inspection stamp on the head badge.
 

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Karate Chicken Industries

Hi again,
I don't wish to be persistent but I would appreciate what I have asked for regarding the Serial number. I understand your brother had the frame in 1985 but along with what else is written the number on my frame BS36nnnn is recognised as 1981. The Schwinn SN format did change in around 1984 when the Chicago factory closed. There is no head badge number, common to all these frames as Schwinn did stamp the serial number at the time of manufacture starting and the had a final completion number on the head badge when the frame was completed. I know there is some confusion with the ASNG where letter, S and first number indicate Month, S Asian made, and year made and I agree that did exist but the Schwinn SN number format is recognised by many including Schwinn as existing but the ASNG SN is not recognised by Bianche as a SN they used or can they give a Manufacturers or an Asian Country. These frames where refuted to have been supplied by the Schwinn sales team through retail outlets similar to your situation. In my view the Schwinn and the ASNG look the same and can be read as being correct in either view point but Schwinn did have one month letter not being used and one additional letter different than the ASNG as well as the month letter corresponding with the first number of a sequential serial number. These frame where advertised in 1983 and later but for that the frame had to exist in 1982 as the 1983 catalogue was the 1982 Christmas sale catalogue that was put together in August 1982. I am not looking for when the frames where first sold but for when they where stared to be made.
crumbling
 

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Since I've been chipping away at this particular stone a bit lately and @crumbling was so persistent, here's a bit more of the mystery Schwinn MTB Frameset that was Made In Japan.

20220522_095341.jpg

20220522_095717.jpg


I was hesitant to post up any identifier details to keep any scammers at bay because this bike is obviously rare and when completed, worth a pretty penny. My hesitation dissipated when I found the owner's manual and receipt, which is complete provenance of ownership and thusly an effective deterrent from any attempted scumbaggery.

Frameset.jpg
 
Unknown 1987, Miyata or Nishiki possibly.
Here in the Philippines, everyone names their transportation, this is Chrome Molly.



as found in the dump - Copy.JPG


edit: newer pic.
29 May 22 Chrome Molly.jpg
 
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The 1995 Schwinn MoabS that rekindled my love of bikes in 1995. It saw a lot of miles and currently hangs in our garage. I really should spend some time on getting it rideable again. An old photo taken when it was in its prime.
29D5B25D-86ED-4581-89BE-27EB96CFDBB9.jpeg
 
I bought a Rockhopper Comp back in 1988 when I used to be a bike mechanic. I had just been out in Aspen with my previous bike and decided it's frame was too big so I sold that and picked up this. I then got a new job shortly after and never rode in the mountains again... and in fact stopped riding bicycles due to a new found infatuation with motorcycles.

Years later I decided to set it up to ride on paved bike trails. The frame was a bit too small for that so I put a taller stem and bars on it, along with a bigger seat and a few other mods. It ended up looking like this
RH_3953.JPG


I didn't ride it much after that either. A couple yeaers ago I bought another project that was better suited for paved trails and decided to convert the Rockhopper back to an "offroad" bike, which really meant something to ride on the dirt trails around here.

Here it is in it's current form
IMG_4062.JPG


IMG_4059.JPG


I've ridden it on the local "mountain bike" trails once. I learned a lot of things, including it's still not the right size for me and I'm not in nearly the kind of shape I was 34 years ago.

That said I'd kinda like to buy a current Rockhopper and try those trails again...
 
I bought a Rockhopper Comp back in 1988 when I used to be a bike mechanic. I had just been out in Aspen with my previous bike and decided it's frame was too big so I sold that and picked up this. I then got a new job shortly after and never rode in the mountains again... and in fact stopped riding bicycles due to a new found infatuation with motorcycles.

Years later I decided to set it up to ride on paved bike trails. The frame was a bit too small for that so I put a taller stem and bars on it, along with a bigger seat and a few other mods. It ended up looking like this
RH_3953.JPG


I didn't ride it much after that either. A couple yeaers ago I bought another project that was better suited for paved trails and decided to convert the Rockhopper back to an "offroad" bike, which really meant something to ride on the dirt trails around here.

Here it is in it's current form
IMG_4062.JPG


IMG_4059.JPG


I've ridden it on the local "mountain bike" trails once. I learned a lot of things, including it's still not the right size for me and I'm not in nearly the kind of shape I was 34 years ago.

That said I'd kinda like to buy a current Rockhopper and try those trails again...
That's a good looking steed
 

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