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

[Rusty Klunker]

Yes I know the Ad shows this and photos of bicycle, serial numbers / badge numbers but these are documents from Schwinn bicycle specifications, and it goes back to the "California Cruiser" / "Spitfire" chainguard debate, what do you believe, visual or documented? ... Schwinn and it's many variations.

Wouldn't a sales ad from Schwinn be considered an official document? Not only for 78 (probably printed in 77) but not cought and shown again in 79 (probably printed in 78).
One official document isn't right.

I only posted it because CBJ asked twice. Then Randall posted his.

Trying to determine if bikes/guards are added, repaints or counterfeit... I'm pretty sure mines not.

 

[Rusty Klunker]

Here's a page right out of the 1980 Schwinn Sales Promotion Catalog showing January availability of the Bike Specifications Catalog. If these were available in Jan. then by the end of 1979 they would have known what was to be used in the 1980 models. This would probably be the same time frame for previous years of the availability of the Bike Spec. Catalog's.
Was there mid-year updates to Specs.? ... Newsflash, Reporters, etc....

View attachment 1979488

Sorry its getting blurry but I'll blow them up some more.
From official sales brochures 78 and 79.

 

[Xlobsterman]

Here's a page right out of the 1980 Schwinn Sales Promotion Catalog showing January availability of the Bike Specifications Catalog. If these were available in Jan. then by the end of 1979 they would have known what was to be used in the 1980 models. This would probably be the same time frame for previous years of the availability of the Bike Spec. Catalog's.
Was there mid-year updates to Specs.? ... Newsflash, Reporters, etc....

View attachment 1979488

And in most of those documents, there is a disclaimer that reads: "Prices and specifications subject to change without notice" So in reality.....nothing is absolute!

 

[koolbikes]

Wouldn't a sales ad from Schwinn be considered an official document? Not only for 78 (probably printed in 77) but not cought and shown again in 79 (probably printed in 78).
One official document isn't right.

I only posted it because CBJ asked twice. Then Randall posted his.

Trying to determine if bikes/guards are added, repaints or counterfeit... I'm pretty sure mines not.

Bicycle Specifications Catalog is what Schwinn proposed to use for production. Document.
As mentioned, Prices and Specifications subject to change without notice.

Again, keep in mind that the last months of a Schwinn bicycle model build would be for the following year, so there will be part changes.

This has been discussed in the Muscle Forum, here is a well know 1971 Schwinn Sales Brochure showing the Sting-ray "Grey Ghost" with a Disc-Brake set-up, the Disc Brake was not introduced until 1972.
Document or Stock Photo?

 

[WillWork4Parts]

Bicycle Specifications Catalog is what Schwinn proposed to use for production. Document.
As mentioned, Prices and Specifications subject to change without notice.

Again, keep in mind that the last months of a Schwinn bicycle model build would be for the following year, so there will be part changes.

This has been discussed in the Muscle Forum, here is a well know 1971 Schwinn Sales Brochure showing the Sting-ray "Grey Ghost" with a Disc-Brake set-up, the Disc Brake was not introduced until 1972.
Document or Stock Photo?

View attachment 1979532

Yes, I have absolutely seen with my own eyes a 71 stamped Schwinn disc brake rear hub. There were even early production(dare I actually say Prototype?) blackout caliper assemblies that are the very definition of RARE. I refuse to throw that much money at the price tags these types of parts garner, just the same as a California Cruiser or Klunker chainguard, for the sheer fact of how hard it is to prove their legitimacy to the public!
I'm glad you posted this photo again, I just counted the spokes on the rear wheel and it's a 36h. A 36h 20" S-2 rim would have very, very little reason to be produced by Schwinn in 1971, and points at another extremely rare version of this disc hub that would have to be 36h as well. You've got me wanting to research the origin and development of the Schwinn disc now!!

Sorry, got off subject...but it's pictures like these that both add to the importance of Schwinn Catalogs and take away from their accuracy, all at the same time. I'm starting to believe that both guards existed on California Cruisers AND lesser model Typhoons, etc. This is an instance where I would need to put eyes and hands on more legitimate examples from the wild to be truly convinced, but I'm pretty sure I won't get the chance to do that with any CCs or Klunkers, and I don't think I will ever have enough interest to buy that late of a Typhoon or HD(unless pristine and CHEAP). I'll definitely be keeping my eyes peeled for either now though, even if just to go look at and take pictures to help clarify.

 

[koolbikes]

Sorry its getting blurry but I'll blow them up some more.
From official sales brochures 78 and 79.

View attachment 1979514

View attachment 1979515

Today, I went to a buddy of mine's Bike Shop that use to be a Schwinn Dealership and he had a 1978 Schwinn Bicycle Specifications Catalog that had the Typhoon / Holly. & Heavy-Duti numbers inked in as the "New" (5840) numbers ... something that Schwinn may have not edited as the new parts change in the Spec's and notified the Dealerships at a later date. I guess you can only take it for what it's worth.

So ... the "New" Chainguard changed ...
1977 Spitfire
1978 Typhoon / Hollywood & Heavy-Duti

 

[AS-1]

You've got me wanting to research the origin and development of the Schwinn disc now!!

Curiosity killed the cat (he,he,he,he,he).

It generally happens after about 2 AM, but this stuff starts making me think I'm crazy.

 

[koolbikes]

Curiosity killed the cat (he,he,he,he,he).

It generally happens after about 2 AM, but this stuff starts making me think I'm crazy.

Disc starts with Kelsey-Hayes ...

 

[Xlobsterman]

Today, I went to a buddy of mine's Bike Shop that use to be a Schwinn Dealership and he had a 1978 Schwinn Bicycle Specifications Catalog that had the Typhoon / Holly. & Heavy-Duti numbers inked in as the "New" (5840) numbers ... something that Schwinn may have not edited as the new parts change in the Spec's and notified the Dealerships at a later date. I guess you can only take it for what it's worth.

So ... the "New" Chainguard changed ...
1977 Spitfire
1978 Typhoon / Hollywood & Heavy-Duti

And once again the info you posted is incorrect.

Here is a 77 HD with the new style chain guard!

Sold - 1977 schwinn heavy duti | Archive (sold or withdrawn)

One and only price drop.if enough interest in parts,i may part it out and keep the frame for a bmx cruiser.Nice bike.appears to be all original to me except for new tires n tubes.heavy duty S7 wheelset with reflectors and og fenders with hard to find rear reflector. not a problem if it doesn't...

thecabe.com

 

[coasterbrakejunkie1969]

And once again the info you posted is incorrect.

Here is a 77 HD with the new style chain guard!

Sold - 1977 schwinn heavy duti | Archive (sold or withdrawn)

One and only price drop.if enough interest in parts,i may part it out and keep the frame for a bmx cruiser.Nice bike.appears to be all original to me except for new tires n tubes.heavy duty S7 wheelset with reflectors and og fenders with hard to find rear reflector. not a problem if it doesn't...

thecabe.com

View attachment 1980007

That is a September serial couldn't that be late enough in the year that it could have been dressed and sold as a '78 in early '78?