Help identify this vintage Schwinn mountain bike
10-30-23, 12:19 PM
#1
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Help identify this vintage Schwinn mountain bike
I'm hoping someone can help identify this as either a Schwinn High Sierra , Sierra or some other model. The date code on the Schwinn head plate reads 1138 . So I believe this was manufactured the 23rd day of April. I'm not sure if this was left over stock from 1987 due to the only pictures on line show 88's as having the cantilever brake under the chain stay. I've searched for hours online on numerous vintage wed sites and no 87's match . Are there any original component lists to positively identify?
Last edited by jzr756; 10-30-23 at 12:26 PM.
10-30-23, 01:07 PM
#2
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Well the pics don’t even show the entire bike but from what I can see it looks like a black chrome Schwinn Sierra from the mid/late eighties to me. Others here are better experts than me though.
Last edited by Pcampeau; 10-30-23 at 01:14 PM.
10-30-23, 01:29 PM
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Clear pictures of the whole bike, would help us, help you. Clear pics of remaining decals.
10-30-23, 01:36 PM
#5
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Thanks Pcampeau. .Tried posting more pictures . Not sure if I reached my max for additional pictures? not posting? The paint is pretty chipped. No labels any where aside from the components and Schwinn head plate.
10-30-23, 01:50 PM
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10-30-23, 01:56 PM
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date codes+cateloge scan.
match the shimano date code then look at that year of schwinn cateloge.A = 1976 A = JANUARY B = 1977 B = FEBRUARY C = 1978 C = MARCH D = 1979 D = APRIL E = 1980 E = MAY F = 1981 F = JUNE G = 1982 G = JULY H = 1983 H = AUGUST I = 1984 I = SEPTEMBER J = 1985 J = OCTOBER K = 1986 K = NOVEMBER L = 1987 L = DECEMBER M = 1988
N = 1989
O = 1990
P = 1991
Q = 1992
R = 1993
S = 1994
T = 1995
U = 1996
V = 1997
W = 1998 https://waterfordbikes.com/SchwinnCa...inn_1981_1990/
N = 1989
O = 1990
P = 1991
Q = 1992
R = 1993
S = 1994
T = 1995
U = 1996
V = 1997
W = 1998 https://waterfordbikes.com/SchwinnCa...inn_1981_1990/
10-30-23, 02:01 PM
#9
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Thanks cb400bill, I seem to be finding alloy handle bars and stem. as opposed to a solid black stem and steel bars. Pretty cool vintage bike . just like to know what it is.
Last edited by jzr756; 10-30-23 at 02:06 PM.
10-30-23, 02:02 PM
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1988 Catalog Pic
10-30-23, 02:18 PM
#11
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AWSOME!!! cb400bill. Thanks so much. What Level bike was this back in it's day" entry? mid level?
Last edited by jzr756; 10-30-23 at 02:22 PM.
10-30-23, 02:40 PM
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Appears to be towards the lower end of that year's lineup. Here is a link to that catalog. https://bikehistory.org/catalogs/198...pand_article=1
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10-30-23, 06:00 PM
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Lower end 1988 MTB model probably means this bike will still be reliable transportation a few decades after all the hydrocarbons run out; that is to say, keep it lubed and it will run forever. Cool bike!
11-01-23, 10:52 AM
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Great find! Since it looks to be mostly or entirely originally equipped, I’d be tempted to restore the components and repaint the frame to something like one of the factory colors, and either source or make new decals for it. To me, old Schwinns are fun to work on and fun to ride.
