Greenville, MS Schwinn bicycles

[PCHiggin]

You are correct. The first Le Tours were built in Japan. I believe that some late 70’s early 80’s might have been built in Chicago, but the Greenville plant built them 1981-91 until it shut down.

I think the only lug frame Chicago Schwinns were Paramounts, not sure when they moved production to the current place

 

[Tour De Luxe]

I think the only lug frame Chicago Schwinns were Paramounts, not sure when they moved production to the current place

I think the only lug frame Chicago Schwinns were Paramounts, not sure when they moved production to the current place

The Schwinn Letour | 1974 to 1988

This page provides year by year images and info quoted from Schwinn catalogs for the Le Tour from 1974 to 1988.

bikehistory.org

check out this website. I believe the LeTours were built in Chicago 1979-1981 using 1020 steel and lugged torch braised frames. My understanding is that Chicago did not have the ability to make CroMoly lugged frames, except in the hand built shop used for Paramount. Greenville started making the 4130 Cro-moly lugged frames in 1983. The next year I bought a new 1984 Le Tour Luxe and a 1984 Le Tour Mixte for my wife and I.

sheldon brown also has some history on Schwinn.

 

[Robert Troub]

You are 100% correct. BIG mistake on my part with the U & V.

Unfortunately the bike is all packed up and ready for shipping, so I can't really check the other details easily. But now my curiosity is going to get the best of me, so I may take it out of the box this weekend to check it just so we can all know for sure!

View attachment 1212597

View attachment 1212598

Great packing job btw

 

[Robert Troub]

This is what Schwinn said to it’s customers that wanted quality control after Chicago!View attachment 1216595View attachment 1216597

That seat would never have left the Chicago plant.....

 

[Schwinn Sales West]

I’m impressed with how many years you guys have kicked this subject around. I feel like a newcomer. Looking back and reading some of the past conversation it looks like many things have been answered and corrected during the past four years.

 

[AS-1]

I’m impressed with how many years you guys have kicked this subject around. I feel like a newcomer. Looking back and reading some of the past conversation it looks like many things have been answered and corrected during the past four years.

We must be patient. Unwinding years of speculation takes time. There are many miles between Fact and Fiction.

 

[GTs58]

And another 1957 catalog sold yesterday but was said to be a 1958. The fiction continues!