schwinnbikebob

Picked this up from the original owner. Should clean up nice. Seller seemed to recollect most things about buying it. He wanted the Grab On's and safety levers because he had a bad back. Toe clips wrecked his pedals so got these. He was adamant that this was the crank/sprocket it came with. He said he looked for a while to find this rare model 15 speed. 76 was the first year of the Super LeTour but this sounds like a bike store story to me. Sugino Maxy??? Did come with the Omas bottle holder and early Jim Blackburn rack with the bent front leg. Those seems appropriate for the time. I will change back to black cotton tape and lose the levers and add hoods. Have to think about the crank/sprocket. On one hand I like the story but on the other I do like original.

Drillium Dude 

Since the Super Le Tour 12.2 did not come equipped with a triple, that Maxy is a replacement. Looks like most of the rest of the bike is original, however, and the chrome looks like it'll clean up nicely.

I wonder how one "wrecks" their pedals by adding toe clips? I had a little snicker at that comment!

DD

schwinnbikebob

That was his claim that this was not a standard Super LeTour but a rare special version. He said the toe clip screws were rusted and the bike shop damaged the pedals trying to get them off. I wasn't 100% following what he was telling me about that. Or maybe someone at the bike store wanted them.

branko_76 

I'm wondering if the bike was "wrecked" trashing the original crank and pedals. I would check the frame alignment

daverup 

That kickstand could have caused some chrome damage.
The original cranks on the 76-78 SLT 12.2 were Schwinn Approved Le Tour, original pedals Top Run.

tkamd73 

Beautiful bike anyway, I wouldn’t even care about original components with a frame that nice.
Tim

schwinnbikebob

Frame is straight. I'm thinking I will look for the correct crank. How does the Maxy and original compare in quality?

branko_76 

The crank that is currently mounted is a low-end "swaged" crank, that is, the arm and spider are two pieces pressed together. That is not necessarily a bad thing if the bike won't be raced or ridden by a strong rider. The main problem with this crank is that the outer chainring is not replaceable, it's integrated with the crank arm. You want a crank with chainrings that can be replaced when worn.

schwinnbikebob

Ok that pushes me over the edge to original. Now to find one. I know I parted a junker SLT years and years ago but can not remember what I did with the crank. Maybe I sold it back then. Search is on.

schwinnbikebob

Posted on the cabe but thought you guys would like to see the finished bike.

76SLT 

You did a great job. Bike looks great! I have a 76 in blue that's all original except bar tape, and a 77 chrome that I got just as a frame and built it up with Shimano Arabesque.

Pompiere

When I stopped at my small town car dealer the other day I was surprised to see a chrome Le Tour sitting in the showroom. The salesman said the owner bought it on impulse because he liked how it looked. I'll grab a picture when I am in there later this week.

streetsurfer

Back of your crank arm- I believe that’s a SUNSHINE (sun shaped SS below the length) logo.

Kabuki12

I am not really a Schwinn guy but that bike is beautiful. I recently rebuilt a LeTour IV for my mailman . It was Strawberry red and in nice shape like your Super. After I finished the bike , I took it for a spin and was amazed at how smooth it was . I am used to much lighter bikes but the heavier wheels and frame of his bike was well distributed and worked with the geometry that was used. I am sure many happy miles are ahead, pedal on…….