1989 Schwinn LeTour...Just Got It

[HARPO]

Well, I found out why the seat post was loose (which I knew wasn't original to the bike when I bought it). It didn't need tightening. It was as tight as it was going to get! The seat post ends by the bolt were touching... Did not notice this as I was to excited on the overall condition. BTWE, tires still hold air!

So, I had to pry it open to allow an alloy seatpost I thankfully had to go in. Paint chips were already by the bolts, so it appeared someone switched it out and just struck in what they had. Guy I bought it from had just gotten it from the original owners wife down the street from him who had passed away and was helping her sell some things. I guess when the saddle and post went, so did the original pedals. Annoying, but I'll deal with it. I have a nice higher end Body Geometry saddle going on, which you'll see when I finish the bike.

 

[juvela]

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hello again mr. honker,

in the above image it appears the front of the axle slot in the dropout may be larger than it be at the stern

if this is the case it is often the result of a "repair";
when frames and/or cycles with wheels removed are shipped the rear mech or gear hanger is in an exposed condition should the package be dropped

such an impact can close somewhat the axle slot in the dropout
when someone discovers this they will typically insert a pry bar to open it back up, often taking things slightly too far

if they realize they have gone a bit far they frequently leave things like that not wanting to risk a dropout failure with a second "adjustment"

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whence was the LeTour issuing in 1989?
recall the launch era examples of the prior decade as being delivered from a certain electronics factory on Honshu

were they coming from Greenville by this era?
thanks for any information


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[HARPO]

@juvela This was made in Greenville... U.S.A.

As far as your other concerns, I haven't even hade a chance ride it yet. Not sure if the opening on the other side is the same size or not.

BTW, I pulled off the tape, of which part was original, part added to the bike. Paint is all good beneath.

 

[DrRumack80]

Nice bike! You should make this one part of the permanent collection. The 700C wheels are a real plus vs. 27". Wide variety of tires available in 700C

 

[juvela]

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@juvela This was made in Greenville... U.S.A.

As far as your other concerns, I haven't even hade a chance ride it yet. Not sure if the opening on the other side is the same size or not.

BTW, I pulled off the tape, of which part was original, part added to the bike. Paint is all good beneath.

thank you for the reply

wondering about the "bump" which can be seen on the upper surface of the drive-side chainstay near the rear end of the protector

it could be the result of an impact or it could be simply an artifact of construction

you could do "comparative anatomy" and check the non-drive chain stay to see if present there as well...


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[HARPO]

@juvela The "bump" was actually to much "previous owner" tape rolled around. Both sides are the same.

All tape and original protector tape are now gone. And what a pain to get all of the sticky off! It took WD-40 and Goof-Off to remove it all.

 

[Sven]

You find the nicest bikes!

 

[HARPO]

You find the nicest bikes!

Thanks. I also bring some bad ones home also that I feel I can bring back to life...and can't.

 

[juvela]

Thanks. I also bring some bad ones home also that I feel I can bring back to life...and can't.

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...sounds much like a critical care physician who sees every patient death as a defeat...


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[nortonguy]

Serious riders would not have a frame so big that they would have to put the seat that low, they could never get the bars low enough to get down out of the wind and be efficient.