New member with some questions

JimK · #1 11-04-2009, 06:15 PM

I am a new member and look forward to learning more about Schwinn bikes here. I would like to ask a few questions. I just purchased a very nice old Schwinn Continental. It is in great shape except for a couple of things. The paint is very nice but the decals are cracked from age. Is there a source for buying original or reproduction decals? Also, it needs the right side brake lever extension and the bolt and washer that holds it on. For some reason it is missing. The left one has a small gold piece on it that has Schwinn stamped in it. Is this a common brake lever extension or was it only on certain bikes and where might I find one? And finally, is there a way of telling what year the bike was built? Thanks in advance.

B607 · #2 11-05-2009, 05:34 AM

You can probably get new decals from Memory Lane in Ohio. You can get their phone number if you look them up on google. Their website does not show all they have, so call them.

If you post a message on the Classic Classified section of this forum you will probably be able to find your brake lever extension.

The date of manuf. of your bike is incorporated into the serial number. If you post the number here, someone can look it up for you. B607

BobHufford · #3 11-05-2009, 05:35 AM

Cracked decals sounds like a late '70s / early '80s model. They were notorious for that. Check the serial number on the headtube (below the oval Schwinn badge). The first two letters are the month/year codes. A=Jan, B=Feb (skip I and O) / A=1965, B=1966 (skip I and O again).

You can sometimes find decals on eBay or check with Memory Lane.

Not sure how unique the levers were to a particular year, but they used them on most all of the drop-bar road bikes for many years. Someone will have one for you -- post a WTB in the classifieds (for the decals as well).

Post pics!

Bob

JimK · #4 11-05-2009, 11:19 AM

The first two letters of the serial number are CT. So if I figured it right that would make the build date March of 1982, correct?

BobHufford · #5 11-05-2009, 12:09 PM

I think that's right.

Is this the bike?

http://www.trfindley.com/flschwinn_1...0/1982_17.html

Bob

JimK · #6 11-05-2009, 12:36 PM

Yep, that looks like it. It is black with gold decals and a chrome front fork. I would also like to try and find an owner's manual and a pair of the chrome shorty fenders for it like those that were on my Varsity I had when I was a teen back in the 70's. It was stolen when I was at driver's training and ever since then I always wanted another vintage Scwhinn ten speed. I finally got around to shopping for one and fortunately I was able to find the Continental (shown in the attachment) I just bought from the original owner. He kept it in very good condition except for the missing brake lever. It even has the original tires on it which are in good shape.

twomorestrokes · #7 11-05-2009, 01:19 PM

Nice bike. I had a new '75 27" Continental in chestnut brown and I liked it.

JimK · #8 11-05-2009, 05:21 PM

My Varsity was a 1972 model and was metallic brown also but I'm not sure if they called it Chestnut Brown that year.