1982 Sidewinder 5 speed

[Oilit]

Top one: Cranks are Ashtabula Schwinn dated for 79. Seatpost is 82, frame Serial is MR823603, Badge is 3271 (1981)

Bottom one I got as just the frame and collected the parts for it, none is original. Frame is ET507352, Badge is 2950 (1980)

The Sidewinders with the early decals don't show up very often. You did a nice job on that one, thanks for posting! And there are truckloads of "MR" serials, I don't know what was going on at the plant, but they were supposed to be on strike. Check out this thread:

Why so many December ‘80 frames? | All Things Schwinn

I’ve owned and had a lot of Schwinns through the years, as I’m sure many here have. It seems there’s an unproportional amount of December 1980 or ‘MR’ frames out there. And many of them have headbadge numbers dating through ‘83. Does any one definitely know why? I’ve been told that Schwinn saw...

thecabe.com

 

[Quad_Berry]

YES, because the frame is built BEFORE it is assembled into a complete bike. I would assume it is an MR serial number?

Yes

 

[Quad_Berry]

The Sidewinders with the early decals don't show up very often. You did a nice job on that one, thanks for posting! And there are truckloads of "MR" serials, I don't know what was going on at the plant, but they were supposed to be on strike. Check out this thread:

Why so many December ‘80 frames? | All Things Schwinn

I’ve owned and had a lot of Schwinns through the years, as I’m sure many here have. It seems there’s an unproportional amount of December 1980 or ‘MR’ frames out there. And many of them have headbadge numbers dating through ‘83. Does any one definitely know why? I’ve been told that Schwinn saw...

thecabe.com

Thanks! The decals were really rough when I got the bike from my neighbor.

 

[Oilit]

Thanks! The decals were really rough when I got the bike from my neighbor.

Yes, it's obvious that bike wasn't a trailer queen, it got used for it's intended purpose. But it survived in decent shape. Do you think the seatpost is original? I was thinking those early Sidewinders may have been introduced mid-year sometime in 1981, but if your seatpost is original then maybe not. I've heard that the head badge date was when the bike was assembled, but a late '81 bike wouldn't have an '82 seatpost.

 

[Quad_Berry]

Yes, it's obvious that bike wasn't a trailer queen, it got used for it's intended purpose. But it survived in decent shape. Do you think the seatpost is original? I was thinking those early Sidewinders may have been introduced mid-year sometime in 1981, but if your seatpost is original then maybe not. I've heard that the head badge date was when the bike was assembled, but a late '81 bike wouldn't have an '82 seatpost.

They were assembled in late 81, for release in early 82, Seat post could have been changed out, i'm not sure.

 

[Oilit]

They were assembled in late 81, for release in early 82, Seat post could have been changed out, i'm not sure.

I'm not sure either. I know there are a few white Sidewinders which aren't listed in the '82 catalog, and they have the same decal as yours, so that's why I was thinking they may have been introduced sometime during 1981. That story is in this thread:

Schwinn King Sting and Sidewinder!??? | All Things Schwinn

First, 26” short frame, dated December of 1980. This is the one I believe to be a king sting… but really my hopes are low.. anyone have any idea of what it could be!? Next up also a December of 1980. I believe to be a 5 speed sidewinder although I thought they didn’t make white ones, or did...

thecabe.com

 

[Quad_Berry]

I'm not sure either. I know there are a few white Sidewinders which aren't listed in the '82 catalog, and they have the same decal as yours, so that's why I was thinking they may have been introduced sometime during 1981. That story is in this thread:

Schwinn King Sting and Sidewinder!??? | All Things Schwinn

First, 26” short frame, dated December of 1980. This is the one I believe to be a king sting… but really my hopes are low.. anyone have any idea of what it could be!? Next up also a December of 1980. I believe to be a 5 speed sidewinder although I thought they didn’t make white ones, or did...

thecabe.com

Yeah i've read that thread. Kinda hard to pick out the valuable info between all the arguing, but a good thread nonetheless. The early Sidewinders only came in Silver and White, before the Sierra brown, the ones assembled in 81. After that the Sierra brown ones were introduced and did away with the White ones. I actually found a white frame from one of my buddies i'll be getting here soon. It's a 10 speed, which I find really cool because I thought the white ones were all 5 speeds.

 

[Quad_Berry]

I'm not sure either. I know there are a few white Sidewinders which aren't listed in the '82 catalog, and they have the same decal as yours, so that's why I was thinking they may have been introduced sometime during 1981. That story is in this thread:

Schwinn King Sting and Sidewinder!??? | All Things Schwinn

First, 26” short frame, dated December of 1980. This is the one I believe to be a king sting… but really my hopes are low.. anyone have any idea of what it could be!? Next up also a December of 1980. I believe to be a 5 speed sidewinder although I thought they didn’t make white ones, or did...

thecabe.com

After the Sierra brown ones came out the Frosty Silver Sidewinders got an updated decal, so the decals would match. My Silver one is one of the early Silver Sidewinders, which is why it has that decal. Here's this:

 

[Oilit]

After the Sierra brown ones came out the Frosty Silver Sidewinders got an updated decal, so the decals would match. My Silver one is one of the early Silver Sidewinders, which is why it has that decal. Here's this:

View attachment 1743950

That's only the second of those early spec. sheets I've seen. Did you get any envelope or anything with a date? I'd like to know exactly when these were mailed out.

 

[DrRumack80]

That's only the second of those early spec. sheets I've seen. Did you get any envelope or anything with a date? I'd like to know exactly when these were mailed out.

I have one of these spec sheets also. Bought it off Ebay 20 years ago - there was no envelope or anything indicating a date. I can snap a photo but it's identical to the one above. Somewhere, I think I may have a Sidewinder dealer poster. I will try and locate it and post a pic