Gio800

I have a 1981 Schwinn Le Tour I bought when I was in HS. I think it is a 1981. The badge number is 0451, which means Feb of 1981 it was built. But here is the weird stuff. The bottom of the bottom bracket is stamped 1782. Also, the left rear dropout serial number begins with an I. You can tell because there is a 1 in the serial number and it is different than the I. See pics below. It also has a sticker that says made in Japan. My question is what is the date code for the dropout serial number and why is the bottom bracket stamped 1782. Could the frame have been made in 1982 and they used an old badge when assembled? Let me know thoughts please. I have pics to post but I need 10 posts first. This is my first.

T-Mar

The stamp on the rear dropout is the serial number. I believe it's supposed to be 1B13077, which would indicate Matsu****a /Panasonic manufacture during very early 1981. They were a known Schwinn contractor and it would fit nicely with the head badge date code. I'm not quite sure what happened with the 1st character. It looks like it could be an upside down '1', with a poor impression of the tail. Photo assist...

Gio800

T-Mar. How did you get that pic? When I posted it said I couldn't post any pics until post 10.

cb400bill

When you attempt to post a picture, it places it into your folder in the Gallery.

T-Mar

Reportedly, the 10 post minimum is an anti-spam feature, presumably to prevent lewd, offensive or just large numbers of bandwidth hogging photos being posted. However, the photos are still uploaded to a gallery album under the new member's forum name. Members wanting to view a new members' photos can go the gallery and perform assists by attaching them to posts for new members.

Gio800

Here are the pics so everyone can see. I already hade the bike apart as you can see. I am still confused with the 1782 stamp on the bottom bracket. Any thoughts

Gio800

Here is a closeup.