Schwinn Super Le Tour equipped with early Dura Ace
 

Interesting find. Schwinn Super Le Tour 12.2, Japanese frame, serial # potentially indicates 1976 build. Yet, equipped with 1977 Schwinn Volare components, early Dura Ace group (Crane rear derailleur). Yep, that's an Ideale 90 saddle.

https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...40198efac.jpeg
https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...834bb2c11.jpeg
https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...b959d809e.jpeg
https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...76f8be755.jpeg
https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...da62ee042.jpeg

Very snazzy! Possibly loose the rack and fender and add a set of tubular wheels.

Tan side wall tires and a pair of more period correct pedals would have it looking a lot better. Rene Herse has some very nice light weight folding tires in 700C. Would definitely search out either a tubular or 700C clincher wheel set. The bike certainly deserves it and would ride all the better. Heck, I spent 800.00 in upgrading parts on a 200.00 Norco touring, still worth it and need to shell out another 3 -400.00 to get the bike where I want it.

Keep the rack. Match the fender or find a pair.
Pretty sweet find.

Should mention that rims are 700c, Araya alloy, another spec from the Volare compared to the Super LT (looking at old Schwinn catalogues from 1976-78 on-line). Researching Super Le Tour's, this was a transitional time for Schwinn with some of these frames made in Chicago and some made in Japan, perhaps from multiple manufacturers like Miyata, Bridgestone.

Seems like a good reason to hunt for a Volare F/F.

Got that, in Pearl Orange!

The Volare along with the first gen Voyager is on my very very short list.

If you keep the rack, be sure to place something between the bottom of the clamp and the top of the brake bridge. It can be a simple as a block of aluminum or a stiff, strong strap - just something that can go into compression without buckling.

This will prevent the rack from sliding down the stays destroying the paint. It will also prevent any desire to crank down on the clamping bolts, thereby damaging/denting the stays.

I don't know about you, but I have yet to find modern folding tires that fit decently onto old school rims. (I started an earlier thread about the trials and tribulations of replacing tires.)

AMCO likely built it up...!

4130 cromo? That's interesting, because the later (early '80's) Super LeTours were 1020 hi-ten. Maybe "12.2" is a step up.

Nice bike. Why isn't there a rear fender? You know they make fenders for tight areas.

Cro-mo main tubes. 1020 stays and fork.

My '77 was a great riding bike. Got it as a frame + a few OG parts. First built as fixed gear, with 700C wheels (my 1st wheel build. Alex rims, Sansin hubs). 32s fit with plenty of room. The original Dia-Compe 610 centerpulls reached with room to spare. Wald North Road bars, Dia-Compe SS-5 MTB levers. Ended up as a 1x6 with the inner ring paired with a 14-26 Suntour freewheel, using the Shimano fleur-de-lis shifters and a Suntour BL-GT. (Because it was a Suntour, and it was blue, and I had it.)

Mine was blue. Fantastic looking bike. Great ride, though a bit heavy. The worst thing about it was the 7/8" stem... the one the bike came with was too short, and long Schwinn stems aren't a thing. Wish I still had it.

--Shannon

Somebody knew what they were doing, but I would have installed a set of bar-end shifters on it!

Very nice bike.
The mismatched cable housings, though, would drive me crazy!

The 76-78 Super Le Tour 12.2 has a 4130, Made in Japan frame. Schwinn called these "XTra Lite". I think Schwinn was trying to play catch up at this point, trying to make some mid range bikes that weren't boat anchor heavy.

https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...7a30d157d1.jpg
https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...9017ce113d.jpg

My friend had an '81. The bike gained 8 ounces when it went from butted chromo to 1020 hi-ten. This helped to keep the price down, which I appreciate. Schwinn got it right when they started putting out aluminum frames.

Schwinn used a 4130 frame 80-81 on the Voyageur 11.8, a nice bike.

That's the bike as it came home. Matching rear fender was found, plenty of clearance to install.