Go Back  Bike Forums > Bike Forums > Classic & Vintage
Reload this Page >

My new 1986 Schwinn Voyageur

Search
Notices
Classic & Vintage This forum is to discuss the many aspects of classic and vintage bicycles, including musclebikes, lightweights, middleweights, hi-wheelers, bone-shakers, safety bikes and much more.

My new 1986 Schwinn Voyageur

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 08-15-20, 01:35 AM
  #1  
polymorphself 
Senior Member
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Oct 2017
Posts: 2,044
Mentioned: 26 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 838 Post(s)
Liked 1,080 Times in 521 Posts
My new 1986 Schwinn Voyageur

Had been really wanting one of these and came across a Craiglist ad across the country of one that looked to be in great shape. Turned out to be our very own cb400bill! A few emails later and the bike was on it's way to me. It was already in remarkable shape but I did a clean/polish/wax, scrubbed the hell out of the spokes, added my VO randonneur rack, the bell, hoods, pedal straps, bottle cages, bags and the b17 and swapped out the cables and bar tape. The hoods don't fit snugly enough but I had them on hand and they'll do for now. I'm pleased with the results and can't wait to get riding it!

Future: bar ends, lighting, and I’ve got a nice set of touring 700s but they need to be laced up. Debating shellac.





















Last edited by polymorphself; 08-16-20 at 12:46 PM.
polymorphself is offline  
Old 08-15-20, 06:45 AM
  #2  
shoota 
Senior Member
 
shoota's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: Stillwater, OK
Posts: 7,827
Mentioned: 33 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1872 Post(s)
Liked 692 Times in 468 Posts
Dang you're lucky I didn't know it was for sale, you would have had some competition
__________________
2014 Cannondale SuperSix EVO 2
2019 Salsa Warbird
shoota is offline  
Likes For shoota:
Old 08-15-20, 07:20 AM
  #3  
Sierra
Uff Da!
 
Join Date: Sep 2003
Posts: 1,191
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 68 Post(s)
Liked 180 Times in 90 Posts
Beautiful!
I've been looking for one too.
What frame size is that? Looks like 22"/56cm, but I didn't think they came in that size.
Sierra is offline  
Likes For Sierra:
Old 08-15-20, 08:28 AM
  #4  
The Golden Boy 
Extraordinary Magnitude
 
The Golden Boy's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Waukesha WI
Posts: 13,646

Bikes: 1978 Trek TX700; 1978/79 Trek 736; 1984 Specialized Stumpjumper Sport; 1984 Schwinn Voyageur SP; 1985 Trek 620; 1985 Trek 720; 1986 Trek 400 Elance; 1987 Schwinn High Sierra; 1990 Miyata 1000LT

Mentioned: 84 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2608 Post(s)
Liked 1,699 Times in 935 Posts
Beautiful bike! I'm really surprised Bill let that thing go!

Congratulations and enjoy!!!
__________________
*Recipient of the 2006 Time Magazine "Person Of The Year" Award*

Commence to jigglin’ huh?!?!

"But hey, always love to hear from opinionated amateurs." -says some guy to Mr. Marshall.
The Golden Boy is offline  
Likes For The Golden Boy:
Old 08-15-20, 10:51 AM
  #5  
polymorphself 
Senior Member
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Oct 2017
Posts: 2,044
Mentioned: 26 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 838 Post(s)
Liked 1,080 Times in 521 Posts
Originally Posted by Sierra
Beautiful!
I've been looking for one too.
What frame size is that? Looks like 22"/56cm, but I didn't think they came in that size.
It’s the 23” frame. Looks a little closer to 22” to my eye as well which is funny but measures and feels like a 23”, which is my size thankfully.

Last edited by polymorphself; 08-15-20 at 11:04 AM.
polymorphself is offline  
Old 08-15-20, 01:15 PM
  #6  
ryansu
Senior Member
 
ryansu's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Seattle WA
Posts: 2,841

Bikes: 2009 Handsome Devil, 1987 Trek 520 Cirrus, 1978 Motobecane Grand Touring, 1987 Nishiki Cresta GT, 1989 Specialized Allez Former bikes; 1986 Miyata Trail Runner, 1979 Miyata 912, 2011 VO Rando, 1999 Cannondale R800, 1986 Schwinn Passage

Mentioned: 72 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 796 Post(s)
Liked 522 Times in 367 Posts
Very nice! I had its little brother -the 86 Schwinn Passage and really liked it. I am sure that Voyageur is a smooth customer.
ryansu is offline  
Likes For ryansu:
Old 08-15-20, 01:20 PM
  #7  
polymorphself 
Senior Member
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Oct 2017
Posts: 2,044
Mentioned: 26 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 838 Post(s)
Liked 1,080 Times in 521 Posts
Originally Posted by ryansu
Very nice! I had its little brother -the 86 Schwinn Passage and really liked it. I am sure that Voyageur is a smooth customer.
Thanks! I’ve seen that passage you had. Rad bike!
polymorphself is offline  
Likes For polymorphself:
Old 08-15-20, 02:43 PM
  #8  
madpogue 
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Madison, WI USA
Posts: 6,154
Mentioned: 50 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2363 Post(s)
Liked 1,749 Times in 1,191 Posts
Hammered mudguards :drool:
madpogue is offline  
Likes For madpogue:
Old 08-15-20, 02:56 PM
  #9  
polymorphself 
Senior Member
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Oct 2017
Posts: 2,044
Mentioned: 26 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 838 Post(s)
Liked 1,080 Times in 521 Posts
Originally Posted by madpogue
Hammered mudguards :drool:
Thankfully they came with it but would have been my choice as well. Perfect for this bike.
polymorphself is offline  
Old 08-15-20, 05:06 PM
  #10  
The Golden Boy 
Extraordinary Magnitude
 
The Golden Boy's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Waukesha WI
Posts: 13,646

Bikes: 1978 Trek TX700; 1978/79 Trek 736; 1984 Specialized Stumpjumper Sport; 1984 Schwinn Voyageur SP; 1985 Trek 620; 1985 Trek 720; 1986 Trek 400 Elance; 1987 Schwinn High Sierra; 1990 Miyata 1000LT

Mentioned: 84 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2608 Post(s)
Liked 1,699 Times in 935 Posts
Originally Posted by polymorphself
It’s the 23” frame. Looks a little closer to 22” to my eye as well which is funny but measures and feels like a 23”, which is my size thankfully.
Check the geometry- I'm convinced my Voyageurs rode differently- and I attribute that (whether it's correct) to having a steeper seat tube.
__________________
*Recipient of the 2006 Time Magazine "Person Of The Year" Award*

Commence to jigglin’ huh?!?!

"But hey, always love to hear from opinionated amateurs." -says some guy to Mr. Marshall.
The Golden Boy is offline  
Likes For The Golden Boy:
Old 08-15-20, 05:17 PM
  #11  
noobinsf 
Senior Member
 
noobinsf's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Oakland, CA
Posts: 3,265

Bikes: '82 Univega Competizione, '72 Motobecane Grand Record, '83 Mercian KOM Touring, '85 Univega Alpina Uno, '76 Eisentraut Limited

Mentioned: 57 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1088 Post(s)
Liked 1,205 Times in 701 Posts
Beautiful bike! Try that tape without shellac for a while if you haven’t before. Cotton feels nice by itself.
noobinsf is offline  
Likes For noobinsf:
Old 08-15-20, 05:34 PM
  #12  
ShannonM
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2020
Location: Humboldt County, CA
Posts: 832
Mentioned: 7 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 405 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 430 Times in 286 Posts
I just had an idea for the lever hoods.

What if you made the lever body a bit bigger by wrapping it in cloth handlebar tape?

--Shannon
ShannonM is offline  
Old 08-15-20, 05:35 PM
  #13  
OTS 
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Bloomington/Normal IL
Posts: 1,062
Mentioned: 15 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 152 Post(s)
Liked 237 Times in 139 Posts
This:

Originally Posted by noobinsf
Beautiful bike! Try that tape without shellac for a while if you haven’t before. Cotton feels nice by itself.
OTS is offline  
Old 08-15-20, 05:43 PM
  #14  
polymorphself 
Senior Member
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Oct 2017
Posts: 2,044
Mentioned: 26 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 838 Post(s)
Liked 1,080 Times in 521 Posts
Originally Posted by noobinsf
Beautiful bike! Try that tape without shellac for a while if you haven’t before. Cotton feels nice by itself.
Oh for sure, this is the only tape I use so I’m used to it. Shellac, on the other hand, I’ve never tried.
polymorphself is offline  
Old 08-15-20, 05:45 PM
  #15  
polymorphself 
Senior Member
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Oct 2017
Posts: 2,044
Mentioned: 26 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 838 Post(s)
Liked 1,080 Times in 521 Posts
Originally Posted by ShannonM
I just had an idea for the lever hoods.

What if you made the lever body a bit bigger by wrapping it in cloth handlebar tape?

--Shannon
Hmmmm! I’ve got some extra laying around I’ll give it a mock up and see. Thanks!
polymorphself is offline  
Old 08-15-20, 09:35 PM
  #16  
polymorphself 
Senior Member
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Oct 2017
Posts: 2,044
Mentioned: 26 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 838 Post(s)
Liked 1,080 Times in 521 Posts
Originally Posted by The Golden Boy
Check the geometry- I'm convinced my Voyageurs rode differently- and I attribute that (whether it's correct) to having a steeper seat tube.
Different in what way?
polymorphself is offline  
Old 08-16-20, 10:35 AM
  #17  
shoota 
Senior Member
 
shoota's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: Stillwater, OK
Posts: 7,827
Mentioned: 33 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1872 Post(s)
Liked 692 Times in 468 Posts
I'd susupect that they rode slightly different base on the geo numbers. The Passage would be slower steering I'd guess. I like the Voyageur specifically for it's steeper angles. Schwinn catalogs, 1981 - 1990 (312 of 456)
__________________
2014 Cannondale SuperSix EVO 2
2019 Salsa Warbird

Last edited by shoota; 08-16-20 at 12:57 PM.
shoota is offline  
Old 08-16-20, 10:51 AM
  #18  
The Golden Boy 
Extraordinary Magnitude
 
The Golden Boy's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Waukesha WI
Posts: 13,646

Bikes: 1978 Trek TX700; 1978/79 Trek 736; 1984 Specialized Stumpjumper Sport; 1984 Schwinn Voyageur SP; 1985 Trek 620; 1985 Trek 720; 1986 Trek 400 Elance; 1987 Schwinn High Sierra; 1990 Miyata 1000LT

Mentioned: 84 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2608 Post(s)
Liked 1,699 Times in 935 Posts
Originally Posted by polymorphself
Different in what way?
The bike feels shorter- front to back.
__________________
*Recipient of the 2006 Time Magazine "Person Of The Year" Award*

Commence to jigglin’ huh?!?!

"But hey, always love to hear from opinionated amateurs." -says some guy to Mr. Marshall.
The Golden Boy is offline  
Old 08-16-20, 11:21 AM
  #19  
polymorphself 
Senior Member
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Oct 2017
Posts: 2,044
Mentioned: 26 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 838 Post(s)
Liked 1,080 Times in 521 Posts
Originally Posted by The Golden Boy
The bike feels shorter- front to back.
Ah, yeah makes sense. Haven’t been able to give it much or a ride yet but will today so we’ll see.
polymorphself is offline  
Old 08-16-20, 12:27 PM
  #20  
polymorphself 
Senior Member
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Oct 2017
Posts: 2,044
Mentioned: 26 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 838 Post(s)
Liked 1,080 Times in 521 Posts
Took it out for a spin this morning. Rides very very smoothly but handling doesn’t seem to suffer much, it doesn’t seem bogged down. I agree TheGoldenBoy it does feel shorter which I like. I’m experiencing the clips hitting the ground for the first time when my feet aren’t in so BB is obviously lower than I’m used to. Also some serious fender rattle to contend with it but I’ll work that out. Loving it!

Shot from this morning:


Last edited by polymorphself; 08-16-20 at 12:47 PM.
polymorphself is offline  
Likes For polymorphself:
Old 08-16-20, 12:45 PM
  #21  
ShannonM
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2020
Location: Humboldt County, CA
Posts: 832
Mentioned: 7 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 405 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 430 Times in 286 Posts
Your bike is rad.

--Shannon
ShannonM is offline  
Likes For ShannonM:
Old 08-16-20, 12:51 PM
  #22  
ascherer 
Senior Member
 
ascherer's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Manhattan & Woodstock NY
Posts: 2,747

Bikes: 1987 Mercian Pro, 1985 Shogun 500, early '70s Falcon San Remo, 1972 Peugeot PX-10, 1972 Schwinn Paramount P13-9, 1971 Raleigh International, 1971 Peugeot PX-10, 1970 Raleigh Professional Mk1

Mentioned: 109 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 938 Post(s)
Liked 2,939 Times in 980 Posts
Handsome bike, enjoy it.
__________________
1987 Mercian Pro, 1985 Shogun 500, 197? Falcon San Remo, 1972 Peugeot PX-10, 1972 Schwinn Paramount P13-9, 1971 Peugeot PX-10, 1971 Raleigh International, 1970 Raleigh Professional Mark I
Curator/Team Mechanic: 2016 Dawes Streetfighter, 1984 Lotus Eclair, 1975 Motobecane Jubile Mixte, 1974 Raleigh Sports, 1973 Free Spirit Ted Williams, 1972 Raleigh Super Course, 1971 Philips Sport





ascherer is online now  
Likes For ascherer:
Old 08-16-20, 06:54 PM
  #23  
kwhiner
Newbie
 
kwhiner's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Reno, NV
Posts: 53

Bikes: '94 Eddy Merckx Century TSX '86 Schwinn Paramount, '89 Schwinn Paramount, '84 Specialized Sequoia, '85 Schwinn Le Tour Luxe, '86 Schwinn Prelude, '92 Cannondale T600, '78 Guerciotti, '91 Giant ATX 770, '87 Schwinn Le Tour(beater)

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 15 Post(s)
Liked 28 Times in 18 Posts
Great looking bike like the step-up. Have an '85 LTL very similar, but mine looks quite a bit more ridden!
kwhiner is offline  
Likes For kwhiner:
Old 08-16-20, 07:09 PM
  #24  
polymorphself 
Senior Member
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Oct 2017
Posts: 2,044
Mentioned: 26 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 838 Post(s)
Liked 1,080 Times in 521 Posts
Originally Posted by kwhiner
Great looking bike like the step-up. Have an '85 LTL very similar, but mine looks quite a bit more ridden!
Honestly with nary a scratch on this thing I’m anxious to get the first one over with
polymorphself is offline  
Likes For polymorphself:
Old 08-16-20, 07:17 PM
  #25  
cb400bill
Forum Moderator
 
cb400bill's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Kalamazoo MI
Posts: 20,650

Bikes: Fuji SL2.1 Carbon Di2 Cannondale Synapse Alloy 4 Trek Checkpoint ALR-5 Viscount Aerospace Pro Colnago Classic Rabobank Schwinn Waterford PMount Raleigh C50 Cromoly Hybrid Legnano Tipo Roma Pista

Mentioned: 58 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3090 Post(s)
Liked 6,593 Times in 3,781 Posts
I like your choice of bottle cages.
cb400bill is offline  


Contact Us - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service -

Copyright © 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.