BrassDrummer

Serial Number: C73270

The bike says “prelude” on the side, and looks to be all original! Looks like it just needs tires and a chain!

should I look into upgrading anything? What are your recommendations on tires? I’m very new to cycling, so im all ears!

3alarmer 

...is there an error in your title on the year ?

cudak888 

This. 1982?

-Kurt

BrassDrummer

According to the serial number when I look it up, the year that comes up is either 1952 or 1956. They used the same serial number twice apparently

cudak888 

Doesn't add up; the Prelude was a mid-1980's road bike from Schwinn. Here are a few threads that you should find interesting:

https://www.bikeforums.net/classic-v...what-year.html
https://www.bikeforums.net/classic-v...n-prelude.html

-Kurt

merziac

Welcome aboard, glad you found us.

We need pics, period. Go around, say "Hi" and or comment to get your post count up for them.

This is what we do, you are reading the S/N translation wrong or something.

BrassDrummer

Finally at 10 posts (apparently you’re only allowed 5 a day &#128514

Here are some pics of the bike and the serial number.

Fahrenheit531 

Not a 50s bike. But a nice one.

And you can certainly do more than 5 posts a day around here. If you couldn't, some of the members would lose their minds.

BrassDrummer

Haha maybe it’s just for new members. It was driving me crazy.

so if the serial number on the bottom isn’t the right one, how do I see what year the bike was made?

2cam16

DEFINITELY not 50's! lol
I don't think there was even a Prelude line back in those days.
Another way to tell are date stamps on components like the crank arms,etc. IF they're still the original ones.
Nice find though!

Kilroy1988 

This frame set (which is definitely from the 1980s) was most likely not made in the United States, so the older Schwinn serial #s would not apply at all. The serial number is right - it's just a different system than the one you were using for your research.

3alarmer 

https://www.bikeforums.net/classic-v...ber-guide.html

3alarmer 

....it's hard to mechanical condition tell from photos. Such a bike often needs to have all the bearings cleaned and relubricated with fresh grease. All the original components on these are high quality, so "upgrades" are rarely needed.

The shop sticker says Fair Oaks, CA. If the bike is still in the Sacramento area there's a bike co-op down off I street between 19th and 20th in the alley by the RR tracks where they can help you out with the tools and advice n servicing. Do not use one of their used chains, buy a new one for ten or twelve bucks on the internet, and have them help you with sizing and installation.

There are a lot of high quality tyres that will fit those wheels. Again, the internet marketplace is your friend. I'm partial to 700X25's as a size.

WolfgangVerne 

Should be a 1987 model, here's a link to the catalog. The photo shown of the Prelude is in the alternative Ice Pink color.

sdn40

The chain looks like it's from the 50's if it makes you feel any better

Fahrenheit531 

It may just be that you have to have a certain amount of time between posts to help defeat bots. Dunno.

And without a serial number lookup, but with an image search, I'm gonna call that a 1987 based on the color. The Tenax tubing is much loved by some of the guys around here; I'm surprised they haven't chimed in yet. Either way at $15 you pretty much stole this bike. It'll take a little bit of work to get things running as they should (grease, bearings, cables, brake pads, tires) but you'll still come out ahead with a nice, fast bike.

BrassDrummer

Right? I thought about removing the rust, but quickly decided against it once I saw how cheap chains are lol.

Shrevvy 

Look at the head badge. There should be a number stamped on the badge. The last number in the series will tell you the year it was manufactured. Ending in a "7" would be 1987. The numbers preceding the "7" would be the day on which it was manufactured. A "237" would be the 237th day of 1987, for example.

mkeller234

That is a very nice bike, and a steal at 15 dollars. All of the Schwinn bikes with the Columbus Tenax frames are desirable, at least in my opinion. I have a Tempo from the 80s, and it is surprisingly light and enjoyable to ride fast. I believe these were made by Panasonic for Schwinn.

What others said: all bearings should be serviced, new cables, new chain, new tires and bar tape. All in, you might have 100+ dollars in service or parts, but you will end up with a very fine ride.

sykerocker 

On top of the plethora of advice that you're getting: You picked yourself up a damned worthwhile bike at a very good price. What it needs now is a disassembly, cleaning, relubing of all mechanical part, and the replacement of a few reasonably inexpensive parts (tires, chain, probably tubes, maybe brake pads, bar tape and cables). Guessing this is your first classic bike, congratulations, you've picked up the bicycle equivalent of a Sixties Mustang, Camaro or Barracuda. Enjoy.

Warning: The hobby is addicting. Pleasantly addicting.

Murray Missile 

You did great for $15, the Preludes are nice bikes, I have an '86 and it's one of the sweetest riding bikes I have even though it's a size too small for me.

BrassDrummer

Ahh awesome. So it’s 1847, so mid 1987. Great!

BrassDrummer

Awesome! Very happy to know that! The wheels seem to be straight, and I don’t see any noticeable frame damage. I’ll have to pull it apart and clean up the frame and other parts for sure.

BrassDrummer

Yup! My first road bike and first classic bike lol. I’ll be getting some tires and a chain coming, along with handle wraps and brake pads for sure!

t_e_r_r_y

awesome find! i can't believe some people's luck, haha. i understand you're very new to cycling, so i figured it might be worth mentioning that you've got the bike upside down in your pictures