1981/2? Schwinn Mag Scrambler?

[TINYuproar]

Ok folks, got this off Marketplace for the cool price of $80 along with an additional set of red Lester mags. Google's AI has helped me narrow it down quite a bit, but I thought I'd consult the real experts. They made mag scramblers from '75-'88. All the image examples I am seeing have double gussets behind the head tube, but with a hole. Mine does not have this hole, which Google says makes it a rare American made model that was transitional and most likely made in '81/2. Some idiot dipped the frame in the rubberization material one can dip their tool handles in to make the handles grippy. So the whole frame is rubberized, and consequently I cannot find the serial, which is supposed to be on the head tube, or under the crank case, or on one of the rear stays. I am disinclined to attempt removal of this material as I do not personally wish to restore the bike and rather would like to sell it and keep the spare red Lesters. Other thing that's throwing me off is none of the photos online have that style of handlebar mount. Coaster brake arm is a Bendix '79. Helmet came with it and is branded for BMX but definitely looks more like a motorcycle helmet. Any help with specific ID and probable value in this condition would be greatly appreciated. Thanks so much!

 

[Michigan Picker]

Ok folks, got this off Marketplace for the cool price of $80 along with an additional set of red Lester mags. Google's AI has helped me narrow it down quite a bit, but I thought I'd consult the real experts. They made mag scramblers from '75-'88. All the image examples I am seeing have double gussets behind the head tube, but with a hole. Mine does not have this hole, which Google says makes it a rare American made model that was transitional and most likely made in '81/2. Some idiot dipped the frame in the rubberization material one can dip their tool handles in to make the handles grippy. So the whole frame is rubberized, and consequently I cannot find the serial, which is supposed to be on the head tube, or under the crank case, or on one of the rear stays. I am disinclined to attempt removal of this material as I do not personally wish to restore the bike and rather would like to sell it and keep the spare red Lesters. Other thing that's throwing me off is none of the photos online have that style of handlebar mount. Coaster brake arm is a Bendix '79. Helmet came with it and is branded for BMX but definitely looks more like a motorcycle helmet. Any help with specific ID and probable value in this condition would be greatly appreciated. Thanks so much!

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First of all, don’t believe anything google says, if there is a headbadge, look for a 4 digit number, the last number is the year

 

[Michigan Picker]

Ok folks, got this off Marketplace for the cool price of $80 along with an additional set of red Lester mags. Google's AI has helped me narrow it down quite a bit, but I thought I'd consult the real experts. They made mag scramblers from '75-'88. All the image examples I am seeing have double gussets behind the head tube, but with a hole. Mine does not have this hole, which Google says makes it a rare American made model that was transitional and most likely made in '81/2. Some idiot dipped the frame in the rubberization material one can dip their tool handles in to make the handles grippy. So the whole frame is rubberized, and consequently I cannot find the serial, which is supposed to be on the head tube, or under the crank case, or on one of the rear stays. I am disinclined to attempt removal of this material as I do not personally wish to restore the bike and rather would like to sell it and keep the spare red Lesters. Other thing that's throwing me off is none of the photos online have that style of handlebar mount. Coaster brake arm is a Bendix '79. Helmet came with it and is branded for BMX but definitely looks more like a motorcycle helmet. Any help with specific ID and probable value in this condition would be greatly appreciated. Thanks so much!

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You could also look at the Schwinn Catalogs online, there is a feature where you can look at specific bikes, year by year

 

[coasterbrakejunkie1969]

Ok folks, got this off Marketplace for the cool price of $80 along with an additional set of red Lester mags. Google's AI has helped me narrow it down quite a bit, but I thought I'd consult the real experts. They made mag scramblers from '75-'88. All the image examples I am seeing have double gussets behind the head tube, but with a hole. Mine does not have this hole, which Google says makes it a rare American made model that was transitional and most likely made in '81/2. Some idiot dipped the frame in the rubberization material one can dip their tool handles in to make the handles grippy. So the whole frame is rubberized, and consequently I cannot find the serial, which is supposed to be on the head tube, or under the crank case, or on one of the rear stays. I am disinclined to attempt removal of this material as I do not personally wish to restore the bike and rather would like to sell it and keep the spare red Lesters. Other thing that's throwing me off is none of the photos online have that style of handlebar mount. Coaster brake arm is a Bendix '79. Helmet came with it and is branded for BMX but definitely looks more like a motorcycle helmet. Any help with specific ID and probable value in this condition would be greatly appreciated. Thanks so much!

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That is not a Mag Scrambler frame, they made a smaller version caller Thrasher maybe. The gussets look added maybe Im wrong

 

[coasterbrakejunkie1969]

The crimped drop outs lead me to believe not a Schwinn frame.

 

[WillWork4Parts]

Definitely don't ever believe AI, not without legitimate sources and examples!

The frame features don't look anything like a Schwinn Scrambler. Looking inside the bottom bracket shell the frame tubes protrude into it, the brake bridge is not raised like a Chicago Schwinn, the gusset is too short...the only thing that remotely resembles a Schwinn is the built in kickstand, I believe Huffy and Murray used something similar looking in the 80s. Some close pictures of the kickstand housing would help identify.

I think you are going to have a hard enough time selling a plasti-dipped bike though...even if it is identified.

 

[WillWork4Parts]

The Bendix 76 model brake arm you have pictured there is from late 1981. Here are catalog clips from the surrounding years.

1980

1981

1982

 

[GTBruiser]

The frame angles, inside bottom bracket finishing, head tube gusset, Lesters, rear brake bridge and rear dropouts all say the standard Huffy Thunder in my eyes, somewhere between '78 and '82.

 

[TINYuproar]

The frame angles, inside bottom bracket finishing, head tube gusset, Lesters, rear brake bridge and rear dropouts all say the standard Huffy Thunder in my eyes, somewhere between '78 and '82.

Thank you. Yes, you are correct, and I just had someone on a Facebook group say the same yesterday. Forgot to update here. I’ve decided to part it out, and out if curiosity, torched off the plastidip from the head tube and gusset (I couldn’t remove it any other way). Found the serial and seems to indicate ‘82/‘83. Regardless, I can’t thank you enough for the info! Weirdest part to me is the frame looks like it was never painted and only ever had a plastidip coat. There were some spots I could peel off without the torch and the frame looked still bare in those locations.

 

[koolbikes]

Ok folks, got this off Marketplace for the cool price of $80 along with an additional set of red Lester mags. Google's AI has helped me narrow it down quite a bit, but I thought I'd consult the real experts. They made mag scramblers from '75-'88. All the image examples I am seeing have double gussets behind the head tube, but with a hole. Mine does not have this hole, which Google says makes it a rare American made model that was transitional and most likely made in '81/2. Some idiot dipped the frame in the rubberization material one can dip their tool handles in to make the handles grippy. So the whole frame is rubberized, and consequently I cannot find the serial, which is supposed to be on the head tube, or under the crank case, or on one of the rear stays. I am disinclined to attempt removal of this material as I do not personally wish to restore the bike and rather would like to sell it and keep the spare red Lesters. Other thing that's throwing me off is none of the photos online have that style of handlebar mount. Coaster brake arm is a Bendix '79. Helmet came with it and is branded for BMX but definitely looks more like a motorcycle helmet. Any help with specific ID and probable value in this condition would be greatly appreciated. Thanks so much!

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HUFFY Thunder BMX ... Huffy serial # 1982