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Nokton

Here's my 1988 (I believe) Voyageur set up for touring. Most of the components are original, but there have been a few changes--Brooks saddle and bar tape, Rivendell Silver shifters, MKS pedals, Velo Orange fenders, MSW rack and Carradice bags. I love this bike, but don't ride it as much as I should. Sometime, I'd like to take this bike on a real tour.

Murray Missile 

Just picked up this '85 last night, doesn't appear to have many miles on it. Still wearing the badly dry rotted original tires. The PO was a man of few words, I have no idea if it had been his, if he was selling it for someone else or he was flipping it. I think he spoke a total of 3 words when we met up so I could look at it. I've wanted one for a long time but the few that popped up were too small, too high priced or too rough. This one was big enough, cheap enough and nice enough.

thorstein

I like the set-up, which Carradice are you using for your saddlebag? I'm trying to decide between the Barley and the Lowsaddle.
Edit: Also, what size tires and fenders are you using? I've still got the 27" 1 1/4" tires they came with when I bought it a year ago. Tires by Schwinn and Trek!

Phamilton

My new to me '83 (pretty sure) Voyageur. 1845 miles on the factory odo. Seller rescued it from a neighbor who was going to trash it but bike ended up being too big for him. I paid $45, replaced the (likely) original tires with some others I'd been using on another bike, threw some bar tape on, adjusted a couple things and rode it to work this morning. We're still in the "getting to know one another" phase, but if it becomes a long-term commitment I'll start a separate thread, just wanted to add another fine specimen to this particular collection. These bikes are so cool.

noglider 

Isn't that a cool odometer? I had a few of those. Its predecessor made a loud tick with even revolution, so this was a -- ready for this? -- revolution.

The Golden Boy 

Sweet!

The teeth on the granny look like death fangs!!!

Phamilton

ncrnelson

Just finished the build of this 1982 Voyageur SP. It was in somewhat rough condition when I got it, a number of rust spots and two dents on the top tube. I touched up the rust spots and fixed and filled the dents. I used Testor's gloss black, which turns out is not as black as Schwinn's black sable, but it's close enough.
This was mostly a parts bin build. The original brake calipers were trashed, so I used the Dia Compe's off my Cannondale ST500 which will get some Tektros. The barcons and AR front derailleur came off a donor Fuji.
The fit feels nice, I'm looking forward to taking it on a real test ride. This will be my first steel road bike and I hear these are great riders.

BFisher

@ncrnelson, great photos and well done on the bicycle!

I run barcons on one bike and really like them.

Phamilton

Agreed. Delicious bike.

I have a pair of barcons waiting to be installed but need to get some sort of cable stop solution figured out. Someone somewhere informed me that the DT shifter bosses are weird on my ‘83 and those stops that you can get (Problem Solvers?) might not fit. I dunno. At least the DT shifters work well and aren’t too hard to fiddle with.

aeshultz

Question for those who have swapped 700c for 27" wheels on the cantilever brake models- what brakes have you used to make the original posts work for the 700c wheels? I picked up what I'm pretty sure is an '83 SP (curved rear brake cable hanger), and plan to build it up as a Rando bike.
Thanks

Lascauxcaveman 

I think the '88 model has the prettiest color; that's why I waited several years to find a nice one in my size:



Regarding past discussions of head tube angle, I think mine is pretty close to that of my '87 Tempo, which is undeniably a race bike and happens to be made from the same Tenax tubing. The main difference seems to be the canti studs and the stretched rear triangle. The Voyageur has a fairly sporty ride and I think the relatively steep head tube angle contributes to that (at least in '88). Funny thing is, the '87 Tempo was built in Greenville, AL and the '88 Voyageur is an MIJ Panasonic, IIRC.



Apart from the tires and chainrings, I think mine is still factory stock. Even the cables and bar tape. (OK, not the pedals either, I don't think)



Earlybird serial number, 2 December 1987?


Thanks again to @Falcon3 for dropping this nice bike on my doorstep!

Phamilton

I don’t know what it is about them, maybe someone else gets it, but I love Schwinn colors. I think Schwinns always had the best colors. Maybe paint quality not so great, but the colors are wonderful.

RiddleOfSteel

I am a big fan of Schwinn colors and have and have had a number of Schwinn bikes with great/solid paint. It likely comes down to the frames/bikes one comes across. People rave about Trek's epic Dupont Imron paint and how it's so tough etc etc, but I've seen a number of trashed paint jobs on early Treks. I think many can agree on old Cannondale paint being a bit flimsy, and I've had a number where that's been the case, though I try to get (and have gotten) nice examples.

Schwinn paint still rocks.

cb400bill

I'll see your Emerald Green and raise you a British Pine.


Untitled by cb400bill, on Flickr

Lascauxcaveman 

Not too distant second

cb400bill

Here is a pic of whole bike.


Voyageur by cb400bill, on Flickr

cooperryder

1984 basic non SP Voyageur. 25" frame.

On digital scale this one shows to be
25.8 pounds.

It's a bit too tall.
Wish I could find a trade for a 23" or even the rare 24" as I love the ride of these Voyageurs.

Kent T

Schwinn"asonic" not to mention Schwinn"stone" and Schwinn"yata" bikes are top notch. My 1980 something Traveler (dear departed old friend) was a superb bike, and lasted me many thousands of great comfortable miles. If I found another Japanese blue Traveler near Knoxville/Oak Ridge, Tennessee I'd buy it at the right price from that era, or even into Greenville, Mississippi era. I love this era of Schwinn World bikes (exception is the nice frames hobbled by Ashtabula cranks, early Schwinn Travelers (Japanese built) did have that problem.

Phamilton

My ‘83, now relieved of its long distance commuting duties. I stripped the fenders and rear rack, had to replace the bar tape due to a trunk loading mishap because of a pinch flat mishap. Now ready for fair weather fun rides. Maybe 100 trouble free miles on 27 x 1 1/8 Paselas, really nice really light tires.

UKFan4Sure

Well, I've been bragging on this one all over the forums, but I was glad to find this thread. I found this on a CL posting for $60. It was a really bad ad with only one blurry photo showing the bars turned upside down. I immediately emailed the seller and then emailed him again the next morning. I told him I'd meet him "anytime" at his convenience. I think that paid off.

beicster 

$60? A great deal at three times the price.

noglider 

I'd miss a day at work to get that bike for $60.

UKFan4Sure

And you and I, sir... Have a ride to do yet!