Schwinn Voyageur SP new acquire
09-15-20, 10:27 AM
#1
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Schwinn Voyageur SP new acquire
Hello Forum Members,
I've just bought a Voyageur and am leaving northern Maine to go to NJ to get it - I believe it's an sp model as I see 2 little "sp" badges above the components. This one's hard to date, but from looking at the pictures and the color (metallic light blue?), I believe it is a 1983 model. I could be wrong on that. Everyone is intimating I'm foolish to have paid $250 for a bike sight unseen and 675 miles away. Whatever...right or wrong, I own it.
My question to the forum is this: from the pics, the bike looks to be in fine shape, but will still need a thorough tune-up with replacement of worn-out parts. Where to start? I've never taken a bike completely apart, and don't want to mess this one up. I do have a stand and can perform basic tasks. Should I send it to a restorer, or just replace cables, pads, tires, etc? How would you proceed? I'd like to ride this on day tours of 100 miles or less. It does come with the front and rear racks. Thanks for any advice.
I've just bought a Voyageur and am leaving northern Maine to go to NJ to get it - I believe it's an sp model as I see 2 little "sp" badges above the components. This one's hard to date, but from looking at the pictures and the color (metallic light blue?), I believe it is a 1983 model. I could be wrong on that. Everyone is intimating I'm foolish to have paid $250 for a bike sight unseen and 675 miles away. Whatever...right or wrong, I own it.
My question to the forum is this: from the pics, the bike looks to be in fine shape, but will still need a thorough tune-up with replacement of worn-out parts. Where to start? I've never taken a bike completely apart, and don't want to mess this one up. I do have a stand and can perform basic tasks. Should I send it to a restorer, or just replace cables, pads, tires, etc? How would you proceed? I'd like to ride this on day tours of 100 miles or less. It does come with the front and rear racks. Thanks for any advice.
09-15-20, 11:04 AM
#2
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welcome, and for what it's worth, driving far to rescue a Voyageur SP sounds utterly reasonable to me. Never had one, but I have an '81 Super Sport (the light duty tourer back then) from the same era of Panasonic-built frames, and I am enjoying it far more than I would have expected; I'll bet an 83 Voyageur is all that and more!
share pics as soon as you can - curious to see how original it has remained, and here's hoping that "smoked pearl" finish is in good shape -- it's a hypnotic colour in the right light!
share pics as soon as you can - curious to see how original it has remained, and here's hoping that "smoked pearl" finish is in good shape -- it's a hypnotic colour in the right light!
09-15-20, 11:18 AM
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What's the four-digit number on the head badge?
09-15-20, 11:21 AM
#4
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welcome, and for what it's worth, driving far to rescue a Voyageur SP sounds utterly reasonable to me. Never had one, but I have an '81 Super Sport (the light duty tourer back then) from the same era of Panasonic-built frames, and I am enjoying it far more than I would have expected; I'll bet an 83 Voyageur is all that and more!
share pics as soon as you can - curious to see how original it has remained, and here's hoping that "smoked pearl" finish is in good shape -- it's a hypnotic colour in the right light!
share pics as soon as you can - curious to see how original it has remained, and here's hoping that "smoked pearl" finish is in good shape -- it's a hypnotic colour in the right light!
09-15-20, 11:21 AM
#5
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as soon as I get it I'll post the head badge number here, and thanks much!
09-15-20, 11:25 AM
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Put it on the stand.
Photograph the hell out of every component.
Take it apart, dumping rusty bits in evaporust as you go.
Clean, polish and wax the frame.
Clean and polish components.
Order new consumables (chain, tubes, brake hoods, bar wrap etc).
Grease all bearings.
Put it back together using your photos and a build thread on this forum for questions.
Photograph the hell out of every component.
Take it apart, dumping rusty bits in evaporust as you go.
Clean, polish and wax the frame.
Clean and polish components.
Order new consumables (chain, tubes, brake hoods, bar wrap etc).
Grease all bearings.
Put it back together using your photos and a build thread on this forum for questions.
Likes For polymorphself:
09-15-20, 11:25 AM
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I always start with the bearings - the hub, wheels, and headset, and then make sure the wheels are true and spokes properly tensioned. After that everything is gravy. Replace parts as needed but if they're not too worn, just clean, lube, and adjust.
09-15-20, 11:36 AM
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09-15-20, 01:06 PM
#9
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OK-I'll do that. Sounds like I'll need a truing stand too, then. This is daunting, but the prospect of having one like some of the pics I've seen here is just too great..
09-15-20, 01:16 PM
#10
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Here are the pics that I have sent by former owner...
https://drive.google.com/drive/folde...HO?usp=sharing
https://drive.google.com/drive/folde...HO?usp=sharing
09-15-20, 01:27 PM
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Pic assist -OP when you get the chance a full profile (drive side) would be great
09-15-20, 03:34 PM
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Most indicators do seem to point to 1983 but wouldn't the head tube be a darker color? Or did they not do that with the really short models? Also no remnant of an "SP" decal on the top tube.
OP - I hope you're tiny!
OP - I hope you're tiny!
09-15-20, 03:44 PM
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Same, but the regular Voyageur didn't come in this color in 1983 and based on the decals it's not an 82 or and 84. Unless this is the "Smokey Pearl" referenced in the catalog. Too hard to tell from catalog pics we have available.
Last edited by polymorphself; 09-15-20 at 03:49 PM.
09-15-20, 03:46 PM
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+1, the markings indicate 1983. I think it's a "plain' Voyageur, not an SP; an SP would have cantilever brakes, and, as mentioned, a contrasting-color head tube.
Schwinn catalogs, 1981 - 1990 (208 of 456)
Schwinn catalogs, 1981 - 1990 (208 of 456)
09-15-20, 04:56 PM
#17
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09-15-20, 05:02 PM
#18
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I believe it's a 21 inch frame; my Le Tour is 22", so I hope it will fit me....I'm 5'4" with 29" inseam?
09-15-20, 05:55 PM
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Regardless by 1983 the Voyageur could hold its own even against the Voyageur SPs I’d say.
09-15-20, 06:02 PM
#20
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Oh very good, that makes sense. Thanks much, polymorphself.
