What year did the "S" seat start?

[bloo]

I know there are a bunch of different kinds. I just saw 2 different 1959 Schwinn middleweights on Ebay. One of them is 1959 for sure as the serial number is in the pictures. The other one is advertised as 1959. Both have "S" seats in the correct color.

I am not in the market for either of these, but I have been under the impression for quite a while that the 2-tone seat appeared in 1959, but didn't have an "S" on it until 1960.

What's the real story here?

 

[gkeep]

My 59 American has the S seat, assuming its the original seat. I saw probably the same 1959 Speedster on Ebay with an S seat. There is also this one listed yesterday in the for sale postings with an S seat. https://thecabe.com/forum/threads/1959-schwinn-corvette.198727/.

If we had a 1959 catalog it could be confirmed but no such animal. Here are a couple ads being sold as 1959 that clearly show the "S" seats. Of course catalog art is no guarantee of what was shipped out to the bike shops.

 

[KevinBrick]

I think the 2 tone stated in 58.. S seat 59.
Correction, 2 tone started in 57.. S Seat in 59

 

[koolbikes]

1957 was two-tone ...1959 was two-tone with "S"

 

[GTs58]

The Deluxe Mesinger (without) the monogram S came out on the 1958 high end models.

New for 1959 was the S and a slight change in the white detailing on the nose.

 

[koolbikes]

GTs58 Thanks for clarifying the 1959 year.
But would some late model 1958 pre-production 1959 Schwinn models have the "S" seat?

 

[GTs58]

GTs58 Thanks for clarifying the 1959 year.
But would some late model 1958 pre-production 1959 Schwinn models have the "S" seat?

Maybe, but I really doubt it. Since Schwinn stamped the serial numbers on the bike components prior to them being used in building a frame, you'll see the next year's models with November and December serial numbered components, BB shell, drop out and head tubes. This was normal and those late year stamped serials ended up on bikes actually built in the next year. The first built 1962 Corvette 5 speeds had the serial numbers stamped on November 27th 1961. The new Mayweg dual stage front carrier that was on the new 1959 models was first used on some actual 1958 Jags and Corvettes. For years I thought those were changed out by some owners until I noticed a few 1958 comic book advertisements. So anything is possible but I really haven't noticed any 58's that were original with the S seats

.

 

[rollfaster]

59 was a huge year for changes, including the monogram S seat.

 

[GTs58]

59 was a huge year for changes, including the monogram S seat.

Another not so noticeable change for the 1959 Cantilever bikes was the frame change. The seat stay geometry and bends behind the seat post were widened. 57 frame on the bottom and 61 frame top.

 

[Rivnut]

During what years did Schwinn use the seat with the three rivets in each side? I have a decent rivet 3 seat except for the cover seems to hav shrunk between the bottom of the pan and the rivets. Any fix for that?