TwoHeadsBrewing

I have the possibility of buying a Voyageur, all original except for tires and tubes, for about $200. I've read a few other threads here and elsewhere, and this seems like a decent price and the bike itself is a great older model. From what the seller says, the bike is from the early 1970s and was hung up in the garage for almost that entire time until last year, when they bought it. The seller says it is beautiful and in great condition. Apparently, it has bar-end shifters, and chrome underneath the paint.

So, I got a few questions:

1. Is $200 a good deal?
2. Would this be a good all around commuting/touring bike? I plan to put fenders on it and a rack if it doesn't have one already.
3. Anything to watch out for? I'm going to take a look at the bike tonight.

Thanks!

wrk101

Need to post in valuation forum.

ColonelJLloyd 

World Voyageurs are very cool bikes in my book. Classic looks; love the chrome head lugs.

$200 is a fine price, especially if you can do the overhaul yourself. Having sat for as long as it has, all the bearing systems need to be cleaned and fresh grease applied. If it were me I'd completely disassemble it, clean and lube all the components, clean and wax the frame and reassemble with new cables, housing, brake pads and bar wrap. I believe Brooks Professional saddles were OEM equipment. Hopefully that's what is on it and it is in good shape.

It's a great candidate for fenders and the Weinmann centerpulls will allow plenty of room. Many had early DuraAce/Crane equipment. I've always loved the Gran Compe stems too.

Report back tomorrow on your new-to-you World Voyageur!

TwoHeadsBrewing

I'm hoping that it's in as good shape as the seller indicates. I'll be sure to take pics and report back. Thanks for the input!

@ wrk101: I posted in the Classic and Vintage Inquiry forum at your request. Should I delete this one?

Zaphod Beeblebrox 

Is there a difference between the Voyageur and the World Voyageur? (Aside from the obvious addition of 5 letters)

TwoHeadsBrewing

From what I've read, the Voyageur was made in the early 80's while the World Voyageur was made in ~1973. It was one of the first bikes built for Schwinn in Japan by Panasonic. That's all I've been able to glean so far from various sites I've googled.

atmdad

If it is a Voyager from the early '80's check if it has the Positron FFS geartrain. You might want to avoid that, others here might have different opions, but personally I would turn around and not look back at it if it has that system at the $200 price range.

Scooper

Terrific value for $200.

Tom Stormcrowe

Agreed, I rode a Passage for a long time, and it's a notch or two above the Passage, and was very happy.

ColonelJLloyd 

The World Voyageur is slightly different from the Voyageur/Voyageur 11.8/Voyageur SP models of the 80s. As the OP mentioned, it was a Panasonic built bike. They're great machines.

I think you're confusing the World Voyageur with the 80s World Tourist model which was available with the FFS.

@ Zaphod: The early 70s World Voyageur is a little different from the 80s models that followed. The early 80s models featured 4130 main tubes as the WV did, later models had Tange or Columbus tubing. The WV came with Suntour barcons, randonneur bend bars and centerpull brakes. The 80s models all had DT shifters and sidepull brakes until about 1983 when they seemed to transition to more serious touring bikes (triple chainrings and canti brakes).

I own two '81 11.8s and an '88 Voyageur which is in "slow-go project mode". I'd like to own a Kool-Lemon World Voyageur, unfortunately I don't think they were produced in the 25" size.

I'm not sure, but I think the WV was only produced for a few years. Schwinn revived the name and idea in 1980 and for the next decade it existed in different incarnations.

This chart is useful in comparing the 80s models.

Zaphod Beeblebrox 

Yeah I couldn't help but notice from the pages Scooper posted that they only appear to have made the WV in 21" and 23"

Schwinn had the best 70's colors. That Orange, and the Baby Blue, and of course Kool Lemon...Some of the Greens are great too.

ColonelJLloyd 

My LBS has a World Voyageur in Kool-Lemon. Anytime someone shows interest in it the price jumps about $50 the next day. I think it's up to about $850. It's in the owner's size.

TwoHeadsBrewing

Does anyone have geometry specs for the WV? I currently ride a 54cm, and the seller indicated this was a 56cm. From the brochures, it looks like it was only made in 21"/23" frame size. Assuming a 21" frame, would this be too big for me? I have to drive about 40 minutes to see the bike, so I'd rather not waste 1.5 hours if the bike is going to be too big. Thanks!

Scooper

Schwinn measured frame size from the center of the crank to the top of the seat tube, while many European builders measured from the center of the crank to the center of the top tube/seat tube intersection (c-t-c). You need to take that into account when considering frame size.

The Schwinn 21" frame would be 53.3 cm from the crank center to the top of the seat tube. The 23" frame would be 58.4 cm from the crank center to the top of the seat tube.

If the seller indicated it's a 56cm frame, he may be measuring a 23" frame c-t-c.

ColonelJLloyd 

Most people prefer a slightly taller frame in their touring bikes.

Scooper makes a good point. Ask the seller to clarify.

jtgotsjets

I'm sure you've gleaned this much already, but if you're looking for a touring bike, a 1970s Voyageur may not be what you're looking for. Don't expect canti brakes, lowrider rack mounts or most of the eyelets that many people consider "standard" for touring bikes nowadays. Most of the traits people associate with a touring bike came to be in the early/mid-eighties. It will likely have eyelets and clearance for fenders, but you may have to kludge something to get multiple racks to fit (even if the kludge is as simple as getting longer screws so the rack can share the fender eyelets).

I just mention this because you specifically mention touring and reading a few threads about how highly regarded "Voyageurs" (not World Voyageurs) are—these threads are likely referring to the mid-eighties Voyageur model, which was nearly on par with the classic tourers—Miyata 1000s and Specialized Expeditions.

That isn't to say it's not a nice bike—$200 seems fair to me, though not a screaming deal by any means—just that it might not be what you were looking for.

TwoHeadsBrewing

Thanks for all the advice and suggestions! Unfortunately, I talked with the seller and it has a standover of 32" and change. 31" is pushing it for me, so I had to walk away. I'm pretty bummed, because it does look like a great bike in great condition. But hopefully it will go to a good home, and not get butchered by some fixie conversion.

https://chico.craigslist.org/bik/1897651990.html

illwafer

that is a handsome bike. bummer.

TwoHeadsBrewing

Total bummer. I almost just bought it and dealt with the high standover...I don't see good bikes like that in nice condition hardly at all up in Chico. Sacramento is a different story, but those are usually more expensive down there.

bikerosity57

It's a really nice all around bicycle. You can't really go wrong. And, 200 bucks isn't a bad deal. I rode one for many years, and I have nothing but good things to say about it. Mine cost $222 in 1974, so $200 today is like paying about $50 for it in 1974 dollars.

illwafer

you know, you can convert to 700c and this will lower the standover height slightly.

jtgotsjets

Can't hurt to go take it for a test ride. Standover isn't really a big deal when it comes to fit—how often are you just standing there over your bike? If it fits otherwise, go for it.