Let’s see some late 70’s/early 80’s Cruisers and Spitfires

[SoBayRon]

There are a few distinct details that tell you where the frames were built. Head badges can be replaced but the serial numbers are permanent, so this is another thing to be aware of. Sounds like your badge was replaced. Schwinn did have the later Cruisers imported from Hungary and Taiwan at the same time, but doubt Murray and Taiwan pieces were produced at the same time. Maybe an overlap from one year to the next, but not at the same time.

Hey, Gary. The #2704 coded badge is riveted in place and the frame is definitely made in Taiwan.
This bike was discussed previously during the revival process here and in my Rustomod thread. Photos as found (been in my backyard since I bought my house in 1998) and it’s current state. Not sure what to think when this headbadge number is almost six months prior to @Xlobsterman’s Murray?

 

[GTs58]

Hey, Gary. The #2704 coded badge is riveted in place and the frame is definitely made in Taiwan.
This bike was discussed previously during the revival process here and in my Rustomod thread. Photos as found (been in my backyard since I bought my house in 1998) and it’s current state. Not sure what to think when this headbadge number is almost six months prior to @Xlobsterman’s Murray?

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Geeze, that's a pretty wide spread overlap! As ole Forrest would say, "That's all I have to say bout that." Guess Schwinn was covering all the bases making damn sure they had someone to produce their bikes when Murray's contract for 300,000 was up. Were the head badge rivets Schwinn Approved? J/K.

 

[Xlobsterman]

Schwinn must have been making them in both TN and Taiwan during the same time period as I have an ‘84 dated head badge on an overseas made Cruiser frame. I believe that mine was marketed/sold in ’86.

Yea, my guess would be that the bikes coming from Murray were just using up all the leftover parts from the Chicago factory after it was shutdown????

This is the first one I have seen with the early 85 date code. I will inspect the bike further when I get it, but it looks legit to me with just some minor variations from my 84, and what was pictured in the 84 catalog.

 

[Billythekid]

Here is a I think 84 girls cruiser 5 I’ll check numbers when I get home

 

[SoBayRon]

This one has an ‘85 date code as well.

 

[Xlobsterman]

This one has an ‘85 date code as well.

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Yep, I have seen a few of these before. Anyhow, I know head badges can be changed, so that is not absolute, and the serial number was not to legible in the pics. So I will wait to get my hands on it, before I see if it is a legit 85 Murray built bike. Worse case scenario, I will have a good parts bike. The seller really didn't know much about the bike, so that was a dead end.

 

[Jeff54]

Yea, my guess would be that the bikes coming from Murray were just using up all the leftover parts from the Chicago factory after it was shutdown????

This is the first one I have seen with the early 85 date code. I will inspect the bike further when I get it, but it looks legit to me with just some minor variations from my 84, and what was pictured in the 84 catalog.

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Yeah but no. This subject about the 84 frames was discussed some time ago. I forget the Cabe name who illustrated/Photographed it; 'metacortex'? (Maybe somebody can search for it) There's an identifier on the Murrey built 'Schwinns'. I don't recall the thread and the exact difference but in part: If you look at where the two lower rear stay tubes are attached to the bottom bracket, the joints of the of tubes are slightly different, (IDK but think, kind of cheaper appearance) verses pre-Murrey 1982/3 Schwinn. frames.

 

[Xlobsterman]

Yeah but no. This subject about the 84 frames was discussed some time ago. I forget the Cabe name who illustrated/Photographed it; 'metacortex'? (Maybe somebody can search for it) There's an identifier on the Murrey built 'Schwinns'. I don't recall the thread and the exact difference but in part: If you look at where the two lower rear stay tubes are attached to the bottom bracket, the joints of the of tubes are slightly different, (IDK but think, kind of cheaper appearance) verses pre-Murrey 1982/3 Schwinn. frames.

The bike I posted the pic of is clearly a Murray frame. The question is: is it an early 85 build from the head badge code, and possibly one of the last Murray bikes produced? The serial number was not legible in the pic, so I will have to wait until I receive the bike and get it out of the box to confirm that.

 

[Jeff54]

The bike I posted the pic of is clearly a Murray frame. The question is: is it an early 85 build from the head badge code, and possibly one of the last Murray bikes produced? The serial number was not legible in the pic, so I will have to wait until I receive the bike and get it out of the box to confirm that.

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You could search it up like I said or, when U get it, take a real good looky at the area where rear stays are attached to BB. maybe take an 80 and 84 put em up-side-down, side by side. Not easy to notice at 1st but once you do, you'll never miss it again.

 

[Xlobsterman]

You could search it up like I said or, when U get it, take a real good looky at the area where rear stays are attached to BB. Not easy to notice at 1st but once you do, you'll never miss it again.

As I previously stated, you can clearly see it is a Murray built frame in the pic I posted. You can clearly see the area you are referencing in that pic.