Dylansbob 

I release some of my ocd buying watching the usual local bike listings, like many of us. You always see the same flipper stuff, mixed with the occasional enterprising tweaker and the occasional good deal. I've become adept at looking at the vibe of the seller's other products and if the pictures look like everything was in the same place. I've been gravitating to those rusty, crunchy bikes that have so obviously not been on the road in some time. This presents dangers as you don't really want to dicker over a $50 project and the seller is in the back of semi-sketchy trailer park. Sometimes everything is fine, but my average is starting to drop. 3 of the last 5 have had frame damage with today's purchase *likely* suffering from a cracked seattube. I'll clean it up tomorrow and see what happens when I try to remove the seatpost and post some pics.

Velo Mule

This looks like it could be a good project if you want to put the time into it. These LeTours ride nice. The problem that I see aside from the welded by rust chain, is the frame rust by the seat cluster. If you are willing to paint it, it should come out looking good. You could retain the chrome at the dropouts up to 1/3 of the way up the seat stay and chain stay and the same with the fork. The head lugs don't look so bad either. Then pain the rest.

What were you thinking of doing with it? Edit: Assuming that the frame is not cracked.

Velo Mule

Those locks are easy to pick. It just takes a little patience.

Kabuki12

Have some fun with this one. If you can get the chrome to shine up it would be a half decent rider.

Mr. 66

I like your it looks a lot like my World bike. The Shimano hubs on it are so good. I hope it works, my brother's friend had the white with red trim. Stunning and dependable.

justcynn

this is my favorite kind of crap. If that is an Altus group is worth your investment or more.

the 12.2 designation is 12.2 kg. Very light for a late 70’s Schwinn. The Voyageur 11.8 followed in about 1980. I have two. They are some of the best riding bikes in my fleet.

Google jay Leno’s Garage chrome polish. Quick Glo chrome polish may clean that frame right up. If it has a clear coat on it, take that off with a mile paint stripper.

justcynn

1980 Voyageur 11.8, restored to mostly original condition with 700c wheels


1980 Voyageur 11.8 with 2020 type parts

justcynn

One more comment. Those locks take about a minute or two to cut with good cable cutters or bolt cutters. With cable cutters just cut a few strands at a time. Easy peasy

good luck.

daverup 

Good luck with that seatpost, that could be as bad as you suspect. It is a nice riding bike, although the original FD really wasn't that good. Supposedly, the derailleurs were the first of the Shimano 600's. The original FD is Shimano 60 and I upgraded mine. My SLT 12.2 is a NOS I picked up last year. Other than the FD I only replaced bar tape, tires, and brake hoods.

niliraga 

looks like you could ride the whole thing into a lake of Oxalic acid and leave it there for a day or four! The best thing about rust stains and a ratty old clearcoat mess is how good it all is at deterring other buyers...

Straightblock

Flashback! When I was in high school we'd pick the locks and move bikes to another part of the rack.

droppedandlost 

You should visit that guy in Bremerton

Dylansbob 

That's where this one was, albiet a different seller. I know which seller you're referring to. I was so tempted when that guy had a RockCombo a couple years ago. I've heard he's hard to deal with, but he does have some groovy,crunchy stuff pass through.

nlerner

I’d say you have at least $50 worth of rust there.

droppedandlost 

I've been tempted to go because he usually has some tall frames, but they're all so crusty!