1980 Cruiser 5

[koolbikes]

Hello, new to me this am. Have always been a Schwinn guy, never have seen one of these. Bought from daughter of original owner. She was pretty confident he brought it home from dealer like this except seat has been replaced. The springer and drum brakes got me on this one. From other posts, sounds like dealer installed options. Fork has the S stamped on each side. Rides fantastic. Would anyone know what original seat would have been used? Thank you.

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Nice Find! ... BR Frame, February 1980 ... 0570 Head Badge, February 26, 1980
1980 was the only year Schwinn used the Classic looking PERSONS seat on all the Cruiser models.
The Messinger was used before and after 1980.
I have found several Spitfire 5 & Cruiser 5 bicycles built this way from the Schwinn Dealerships.

 

[WillWork4Parts]

KoolBikes posted before I could finish typing. Lol


I feel like I've seen that badge number listed for sale recently...deja vu! I was looking at a blue Cruiser with a spring fork too, just not a 5sp, and not with those washers in the springer. I may have a correct bolt, so long as your fork threads aren't damaged.

I recently posted about the seats too. Post in thread 'Let’s see some late 70’s/early 80’s Cruisers and Spitfires' https://thecabe.com/forum/threads/l...’s-cruisers-and-spitfires.125143/post-1803119
Persons (NOT Troxel) was original equipment on the 1980 bikes.

If you do want the deluxe Persons seat to ride on, be sure to get the second generation frame with extra rib supports underneath. Here is an example from eBay. Some have ribs in the pan too. The first generation 1980 seats were smooth in both regions, supporting ribs were added later.

Another example of the Mesinger on eBay too...as a cheaper, but less correct option for that year, they are a less refined, but a much sturdier seat to ride on. They were available with chrome springs, but the catalogs in my previous post mention the part number with black springs for the Cruisers and Exercise bikes.

 

[coasterbrakejunkie1969]

I have one of those seats.

KoolBikes posted before I could finish typing. Lol


I feel like I've seen that badge number listed for sale recently...deja vu! I was looking at a blue Cruiser with a spring fork too, just not a 5sp, and not with those washers in the springer. I may have a correct bolt, so long as your fork threads aren't damaged.

I recently posted about the seats too. Post in thread 'Let’s see some late 70’s/early 80’s Cruisers and Spitfires' https://thecabe.com/forum/threads/let’s-see-some-late-70’s-early-80’s-cruisers-and-spitfires.125143/post-1803119
Persons (NOT Troxel) was original equipment on the 1980 bikes.

If you do want the deluxe Persons seat to ride on, be sure to get the second generation frame with extra rib supports underneath. Here is an example from eBay. Some have ribs in the pan too. The first generation 1980 seats were smooth in both regions, supporting ribs were added later.

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Another example of the Mesinger on eBay too...as a cheaper, but less correct option for that year, they are a less refined, but a much sturdier seat to ride on. They were available with chrome springs, but the catalogs in my previous post mention the part number with black springs for the Cruisers and Exercise bikes.

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Did the support ribs actually work or did a lot of these seats end up bent like the first generation did?

 

[WillWork4Parts]

I have one of those seats.

Did the support ribs actually work or did a lot of these seats end up bent like the first generation did?

If taken over jumps with hard landings, I bet they bent too. I haven't found them completely collapsed like the first generation 80 seat frame though.

 

[TimD]

thank you for all the great information, that nut on the springer bolt does look odd. Looking for a correct one.

 

[coasterbrakejunkie1969]

thank you for all the great information, that nut on the springer bolt does look odd. Looking for a correct one.

The thing is Schwinn had their own proprietary thread and bolt size. If it is a Schwinn pivot bolt it needs a Schwinn nut it has to be legit.

 

[coasterbrakejunkie1969]

I’m wondering if someone faked a standard shoulder bolt in there. You need to did assemble the fork and see what is up.

 

[WillWork4Parts]

I’m wondering if someone faked a standard shoulder bolt in there. You need to did assemble the fork and see what is up.

It's probably a 3/8" standard bolt in it now, hence the washers. The originals are Metric 10x1.5 if I remember right. I'll check my 80 springer when I get home...see if I can source a matching bolt to that

 

[coasterbrakejunkie1969]

Also a possibility that is not a Schwin steer tube. The welds are a little sloppy on those later cruisers but usually the front is passable that one looks extra sloppy.

 

[Bendix II]

I feel like I've seen that badge number listed for sale recently...deja vu! I was looking at a blue Cruiser with a spring fork too, just not a 5sp, and not with those washers in the springer.

A lot of digits in that SN, would be amazing if the bike was built on the same day the SN was stamped. Would be even more amazing if it was built before the SN was stamped.