'like new' schwinn cruiser 6 hungarian twins - how do i find a value on them?

[Oilit]

Well I finally found one this weekend, bought from the original owner. @GTs58, I'm guessing that for the rims, they decided if they were going to use cantilever brakes instead of calipers, then they might as well use aluminum rims too. And the serial number is pretty light, but it starts with "HD". Since Schwinn owned the Hungarian plant, I wonder if the serial numbers were the same system that Chicago used? If 1982 was "T", "Z" would be 1988, then starting over with "A" for 1989, "D" would be 1992, so HD would be August 1992. But the original poster said his started with "HD" and "HM", so that sounds like "H" may be for 1993, at least going by the head badge stampings. This one is stamped 1343, so it's 1993 like the rest. Some of the equipment on this bike is a little different from the others, your guess is as good as mine.

 

[Schwinn Sales West]

Well I finally found one this weekend, bought from the original owner. @GTs58, I'm guessing that for the rims, they decided if they were going to use cantilever brakes instead of calipers, then they might as well use aluminum rims too. And the serial number is pretty light, but it starts with "HD". Since Schwinn owned the Hungarian plant, I wonder if the serial numbers were the same system that Chicago used? If 1982 was "T", "Z" would be 1988, then starting over with "A" for 1989, "D" would be 1992, so HD would be August 1992. But the original poster said his started with "HD" and "HM", so that sounds like "H" may be for 1993, at least going by the head badge stampings. This one is stamped 1343, so it's 1993 like the rest. Some of the equipment on this bike is a little different from the others, your guess is as good as mine.

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The biggest reason for using the aluminum rims was the improvement in braking over the steel rims used on the coaster brake models. Steel rims, and wet riding conditions, equals NO Brakes!

John

 

[GTs58]

@Oilit , I think your idea that the serial number HD would be correct being a 1992 stamping. The BB shell or possibly the frame sat until the Scott Group decided to fulfill the contract Schwinn had and the bikes were built later in 1993. Schwinn did not buy the Csepel factory, they bought in at 40+ % in 1988, or so it's written.

That's a pretty nice example and it's not all rusted up like the Taiwan sisters. Weinmann rims made in the USA? Then they were shipped to Hungary? Makes me wonder if those same rims were shipped to Taiwan. I guess they weren't making S2's in Hungary at that time? I'm curious how long it takes for the brake pads to get all loaded up with black alloy residue. Pretty interesting piece for the transition history. I noticed the rear chain guard mounting tab was moved back to the original Schwinn position.

 

[Xlobsterman]

Well I finally found one this weekend, bought from the original owner. @GTs58, I'm guessing that for the rims, they decided if they were going to use cantilever brakes instead of calipers, then they might as well use aluminum rims too. And the serial number is pretty light, but it starts with "HD". Since Schwinn owned the Hungarian plant, I wonder if the serial numbers were the same system that Chicago used? If 1982 was "T", "Z" would be 1988, then starting over with "A" for 1989, "D" would be 1992, so HD would be August 1992. But the original poster said his started with "HD" and "HM", so that sounds like "H" may be for 1993, at least going by the head badge stampings. This one is stamped 1343, so it's 1993 like the rest. Some of the equipment on this bike is a little different from the others, your guess is as good as mine.

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NO need to guess.........the 93 catalog clearly states the bike came with the alloy rims!

 

[Oilit]

@Oilit , I think your idea that the serial number HD would be correct being a 1992 stamping. The BB shell or possibly the frame sat until the Scott Group decided to fulfill the contract Schwinn had and the bikes were built later in 1993. Schwinn did not buy the Csepel factory, they bought in at 40+ % in 1988, or so it's written.

That's a pretty nice example and it's not all rusted up like the Taiwan sisters. Weinmann rims made in the USA? Then they were shipped to Hungary? Makes me wonder if those same rims were shipped to Taiwan. I guess they weren't making S2's in Hungary at that time? I'm curious how long it takes for the brake pads to get all loaded up with black alloy residue. Pretty interesting piece for the transition history. I noticed the rear chain guard mounting tab was moved back to the original Schwinn position.


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I hadn't noticed the rear chain guard mount, that's interesting. And the Chicago Tribune article you linked confirms that Schwinn only owned 41.5%. I had it in my head that they bought them outright, but my memory was slipping.
In the 1993 catalog, the rims aren't specified for the single speed cruisers, I wonder if they were still using S-2's? There's no advantage to an aluminum rim with a coaster brake, or at least not for braking.