1980 Schwinn DELUXE Cruiser

[Xlobsterman]

Hello everyone! Just picked this 80 Deluxe Cruiser up locally a couple days ago. I mainly bought it to upgrade my existing 82 Cruiser, but then I got to wondering. I really haven’t seen many Cruisers with a factory springer. I take it that is what makes it a Deluxe after all.

My question is, is the right seat for a deluxe the normal Mesinger of this era? Or is it the Persons?

Also, what is this potentially worth? They seem to be pretty rare to my research. I don’t have any intent to sell, just curious.

I’ll be posting my progress of the bike when I get around it it. For now I tested a spot on the top tube just for fun!

Thanks all!

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That is one of the first production runs of a Deluxe Cruiser that was still using the middleweight frames as used on the previous Spitfire models in the late 70's. The seat and grips are not OE to that bike, it would have had one of seats as in the 80 catalog pics in either brown or black. And yes, the only difference for the Deluxe Cruiser was the spring fork. But in all actuality, they were not that popular back in the day when I worked at the shop selling them. People wanted the Tube Forks on the bikes, and we sold a lot of Tange Tube Forks to people who purchased the Spitfires and Cruisers!

The value in that condition is real low. But the bike is mostly complete, and should clean up well and make a nice rider!

 

[Rusty Klunker]

People wanted the Tube Forks on the bikes, and we sold a lot of Tange Tube Forks to people who purchased the Spitfires and Cruisers!

The value in that condition is real low. But the bike is mostly complete, and should clean up well and make a nice rider!

Is there any way to identify the Schwinn replacement tube forks?
I believe I have three pair of them. One is on an original 83 cruiser another I installed on a Typhoon and the third has rough paint that I might powder coat. I haven't noticed any id on them.

 

[Xlobsterman]

Is there any way to identify the Schwinn replacement tube forks?
I believe I have three pair of them. One is on an original 83 cruiser another I installed on a Typhoon and the third has rough paint that I might powder coat. I haven't noticed any id on them.

To the best of my knowledge, the replacement Schwinn tube forks didn't have any markings on them.

 

[koolbikes]

I've never seen any markings on the Schwinn forks. There are a few forks that look very similar.
Here is a 1983 Schwinn replacement parts page from catalog of the tubular forks.

 

[Xlobsterman]

I've never seen any markings on the Schwinn forks. There are a few forks that look very similar.
Here is a 1983 Schwinn replacement parts page from catalog of the tubular forks.

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The #2 forks were made by Akisu and stamped. They were used on a few 20" BMX models also.

 

[koolbikes]

1982 Schwinn BMX / Cruiser catalog ... 26" tubular forks

 

[Dannuus]

Hello everyone! Just picked this 80 Deluxe Cruiser up locally a couple days ago. I mainly bought it to upgrade my existing 82 Cruiser, but then I got to wondering. I really haven’t seen many Cruisers with a factory springer. I take it that is what makes it a Deluxe after all.

My question is, is the right seat for a deluxe the normal Mesinger of this era? Or is it the Persons?

Also, what is this potentially worth? They seem to be pretty rare to my research. I don’t have any intent to sell, just curious.

I’ll be posting my progress of the bike when I get around it it. For now I tested a spot on the top tube just for fun!

Thanks all!

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[Dannuus]

This is the correct seat. They aren't as easy to find as the all around black mesinger ones.

 

[Dannuus]

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I'll keep these til I'm dead. The money they would bring wouldn't be worth the joy of owning these!

 

[Xlobsterman]

I'll keep these til I'm dead. The money they would bring wouldn't be worth the joy of owning these!

They are definitely a classic Schwinn bike from a great era in time. I had lots of fun riding them back in the day, and have enjoyed collecting them in recent years!