The "HOLY GRAIL" of Schwinn MTB frames!

[fat tire trader]

Send me a list of the parts that you want.

 

[Xlobsterman]

I built up a NOS ‘95 Cannondale MTB with all NOS parts. If you’re patient, it’s worth it.

Yea, it will take some time to source all the period correct parts! But it would also be cool to build it with some current new parts because of the quality of new technology. New school meets old school...................

 

[Xlobsterman]

Send me a list of the parts that you want.

Do you have any of the parts listed on the sheet I posted previously?

 

[dihummer]

I just wanted to bump this post back up to see if we can obtain any more info on the frame? It was a year ago today when I originally made the post, so there may be some new knowledge out there?

I just saw this thread for the first time yesterday.

This serial number within the context of Schwinn bicycle frames imported from Japan is unusual. It does not fit into the pre-1983 documentation of Schwinn serial numbers.
Attempts to fit the serial number into known Schwinn serial number formats are futile.

I have catalogued many bicycles from several brand names with this serial number format.

This serial number within the context of Japanese bicycle exports of all brand names is not unusual. Several brand names have imported bicycle frames with this format of serial number.

From Europe: Bianchi, Cilo, and Winora.
From Canada: CycleTech and Miele.
From Japan: Shogun (a brand name exported by the Marui Ltd., a trading company from Kobe, Japan.)
From the USA: Specialized and Takara.

So who was the Japanese frame manufacturer that used this format of serial number?

Oji Bicycle Manufacturing Co. of Oji, Kita-ku, Tokyo.
The company ended bicycle frame manufacturing in 2003 and changed its name to Ouji Co., Ltd..

Bianchi frame tube decal.

The first letter in the serial number, A through L, is for the month of frame manufacture. The first digit in the serial number is for the year of frame manufacture.

The component dates are sometimes supplied with the bicycle serial number that I have catalogued and the component dates are consistent with the above interpretation of the serial number format.

@Xlobsterman
From the box for the original frame, can you determine which Japanese trading company handled the transaction with Schwinn?

 

[Schwinn Sales West]

I always thought these Parts Division frame sets came from National? John

 

[dihummer]

The serial numbers do not lie. They are what they are, but require some digging to determine who and where they came from.

The other Parts Division frame set had a BMX type fork. The serial numbers started with "WAK". I do not know which Japanese manufacturer used that prefix on their serial numbers.

 

[Schwinn Sales West]

The serial numbers do not lie. They are what they are, but require some digging to determine who and where they came from.

The other Parts Division frame set had a BMX type fork. The serial numbers started with "WAK". I do not know which Japanese manufacturer used that prefix on their serial numbers.

When we are discussing bicycle models, we use the Schwinn model numbers to help with descriptions.

Maybe we should use the original Schwinn Part Numbers when we are discussing the various Schwinn production framesets that were sold through the Parts Division to Schwinn Sales Companies. Over the years Schwinn sold many different frames, and frames from many different manufacturers, so the original part numbers would be helpful.

John

 

[Xlobsterman]

@Xlobsterman
From the box for the original frame, can you determine which Japanese trading company handled the transaction with Schwinn?

OK then, what trading company sold this frame to Schwinn?

 

[dihummer]

OK then, what trading company sold this frame to Schwinn?

View attachment 2032573

Thanks. I cannot see anything that might identify the trading company. I was hoping that there was more.

 

[dihummer]

When we are discussing bicycle models, we use the Schwinn model numbers to help with descriptions.

Maybe we should use the original Schwinn Part Numbers when we are discussing the various Schwinn production framesets that were sold through the Parts Division to Schwinn Sales Companies. Over the years Schwinn sold many different frames, and frames from many different manufacturers, so the original part numbers would be helpful.

John

Sorry if I did not get the correct Schwinn description. I was referring to this:

From:

the-holy-grail-of-schwinn-mtb-frames

H. Mountain Bike Frame Set 29 265