Let’s see some late 70’s/early 80’s Cruisers and Spitfires

[Xlobsterman]

Here's my blue 79 Spitfire.
View attachment 1953732

Nice Bike!

 

[oldjunker jeff]

When you've got it, can we get a closer look at the derailleur?

I already started disassembly but heres pics of the derailleur. The guy I got it from said it use to belong to his neighbor. Apparently at some point the derailleur came loose and got destroyed by the chain. He gave me the destroyed derailleur.

 

[oldjunker jeff]

Nice Find! ...
Probably a 1980 Ladies "Cruiser" Frame with a 1981 Badge, as the 1980 Frames with rear fender mount were the last year and the 1981 and on Frames had the Brake bridge.
Someone wanted a Ladies version and Schwinn Dealer probably built it. That bike will clean-up Nice! ... Enjoy!

Yes, stamped date on headtube comes back as April of 1980

 

[oldjunker jeff]

The cranks are dated 1980, forks are also dated 1980 along with the stem. The handlebars are stamped 1981 apparently the headbadge appears to be a replacement as the build date not stamped on headbadge. Except for the cable and rear derailleur, the replacement seat, the replacement kenda tires everything looks original. Only thing that I'm confused as to whether it's correct are the diacomp caliper and brake levers

 

[coasterbrakejunkie1969]

The cranks are dated 1980, forks are also dated 1980 along with the stem. The handlebars are stamped 1981 apparently the headbadge appears to be a replacement as the build date not stamped on headbadge. Except for the cable and rear derailleur, the replacement seat, the replacement kenda tires everything looks original. Only thing that I'm confused as to whether it's correct are the diacomp caliper and brake levers

Unless the handlebars were replaced that seals it as an '81.

 

[Xlobsterman]

The cranks are dated 1980, forks are also dated 1980 along with the stem. The handlebars are stamped 1981 apparently the headbadge appears to be a replacement as the build date not stamped on headbadge. Except for the cable and rear derailleur, the replacement seat, the replacement kenda tires everything looks original.

Only thing that I'm confused as to whether it's correct are the diacomp caliper and brake levers

The brakes are period correct, but not original to the bike from the factory since Schwinn never made a production Cruiser 5 with a womens frame.

 

[Oilit]

The brakes are period correct, but not original to the bike from the factory since Schwinn never made a production Cruiser 5 with a womens frame.

As far as we know. My best guess would be a dealer built this for a customer, since it has all the correct parts but there's no date on the head badge, but I wasn't there when it happened so it's only a guess.

 

[Xlobsterman]

As far as we know. My best guess would be a dealer built this for a customer, since it has all the correct parts but there's no date on the head badge, but I wasn't there when it happened so it's only a guess.

It may have been a frame up build since there is no date code on the head badge?

 

[coasterbrakejunkie1969]

I built up nice set of single knurled, stamped S-2's with a Bendix '70 coaster rear and a Schwinn approved 200 front. Nos union spokes and nipples. I added this nice set of Schwinn Studded Balloon white walls. These are place holders for my 1979 Spitfire while I clean and grease the original HD wheels. It rides so nice and smooth, I ran out of time and sunlight for any more pics.

 

[Schulze]

Snapped these up cheap. The cruiser dates 1982. Cleaned up nice. The balloon tire is in nice shape…bonus!