Touring Bike goodness!!!! 1985 Schwinn Voyager SP
10-07-12, 02:40 PM
#1
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Thread Starter
Touring Bike goodness!!!! 1985 Schwinn Voyager SP
I picked this up today!!! im super excited!!!!
After spoiling my wife she finally let me talk her into getting it!!!
1985 Voyager SP the previous owner had it hanging in his garage after riding it a couple of times!!!!
It was on craigslist for about a month, I called him about it and he said some people had come to see it but hadn't forked over the cash.
As I was loading it up he said hey James here is a repair kit..
After spoiling my wife she finally let me talk her into getting it!!!
1985 Voyager SP the previous owner had it hanging in his garage after riding it a couple of times!!!!
It was on craigslist for about a month, I called him about it and he said some people had come to see it but hadn't forked over the cash.
As I was loading it up he said hey James here is a repair kit..
10-07-12, 02:58 PM
#3
feros ferio
Join Date: Jul 2000
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Bikes: 1959 Capo Modell Campagnolo; 1960 Capo Sieger (2); 1962 Carlton Franco Suisse; 1970 Peugeot UO-8; 1982 Bianchi Campione d'Italia; 1988 Schwinn Project KOM-10;
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I really like that bike. The serial number may give us a clue to the manufacturer, unless someone here knows who built Schwinn's Japanese line. (Nishiki builder, Kawamura, perhaps?)
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"Far and away the best prize that life offers is the chance to work hard at work worth doing." --Theodore Roosevelt
Capo: 1959 Modell Campagnolo, S/N 40324; 1960 Sieger (2), S/N 42624, 42597
Carlton: 1962 Franco Suisse, S/N K7911
Peugeot: 1970 UO-8, S/N 0010468
Bianchi: 1982 Campione d'Italia, S/N 1.M9914
Schwinn: 1988 Project KOM-10, S/N F804069
"Far and away the best prize that life offers is the chance to work hard at work worth doing." --Theodore Roosevelt
Capo: 1959 Modell Campagnolo, S/N 40324; 1960 Sieger (2), S/N 42624, 42597
Carlton: 1962 Franco Suisse, S/N K7911
Peugeot: 1970 UO-8, S/N 0010468
Bianchi: 1982 Campione d'Italia, S/N 1.M9914
Schwinn: 1988 Project KOM-10, S/N F804069
10-07-12, 03:00 PM
#4
Senior Member
Liike new !!
10-07-12, 03:13 PM
#5
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10-07-12, 03:19 PM
#6
Bianchi Goddess
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Beautiful bike! What does SP stand for?
I just read that in "The Dancing Chain" the other day, I'll look it up. I found it interesting that while Schwinn was negociating with the Japanese companies to build lower cost bikes the workers in Chicago were joining the UAW.
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“One morning you wake up, the girl is gone, the bikes are gone, all that's left behind is a pair of old tires and a tube of tubular glue, all squeezed out"
Sugar "Kane" Kowalczyk
“One morning you wake up, the girl is gone, the bikes are gone, all that's left behind is a pair of old tires and a tube of tubular glue, all squeezed out"
Sugar "Kane" Kowalczyk
10-07-12, 04:01 PM
#7
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Bikes: i don't have a bike. a few frames, forks and some parts. that's all
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congrats for an awesome score. like that old school tool purse too. 
Last edited by orangeology; 10-07-12 at 04:02 PM. Reason: typo
10-07-12, 04:45 PM
#10
Senior Member
Thread Starter
The headbadge says 0165 the serial on the headtube says 5C02687
10-07-12, 04:59 PM
#11
Senior Member
Something's up with those numbers. The frame serial number (consistent with Panasonic) starting with 5C indicates a March "C" 1985 "5" frame build, however the 0165 headbadge number (016 day of 1985) indicates the bike itself was assembled on Wed. Jan. 16, 1985, which pre-dates the frame. Explanations might include misread numbers, mis-stamped numbers (i.e. factory mistake), and of course headbadges can be easily removed/swapped with only 2 screws so it might not be original.
10-07-12, 05:07 PM
#12
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Voyageurs are great bikes. I've got an '86 that I love to death. It's equally at home doing loaded tours, 200K brevets or day-to-day commuting.
I hope your purchase brings you many years of joy.
I hope your purchase brings you many years of joy.
10-07-12, 05:35 PM
#13
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Thread Starter
That is weird about the serial numbers.
I'm in love with it already. I want to actually use it on a tour, need to clean it all up then find some blackburn racks and then find some bags.
I'm in love with it already. I want to actually use it on a tour, need to clean it all up then find some blackburn racks and then find some bags.
10-07-12, 06:11 PM
#14
Bianchi Goddess
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But what does the SP stand for?
__________________
“One morning you wake up, the girl is gone, the bikes are gone, all that's left behind is a pair of old tires and a tube of tubular glue, all squeezed out"
Sugar "Kane" Kowalczyk
“One morning you wake up, the girl is gone, the bikes are gone, all that's left behind is a pair of old tires and a tube of tubular glue, all squeezed out"
Sugar "Kane" Kowalczyk
10-07-12, 06:38 PM
#15
Senior Member
Schwinn never said exactly, but most took it to mean "Super Premium". Schwinn used the SP designation on premium versions of the Super Sport and Voyageur from '82 through '85. The SP models had higher end components and sometimes even frames as compared to the non-SP models.
10-07-12, 06:43 PM
#16
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Well done Sir!!! Happy for you and the bike!
Cheers,
Chris
Cheers,
Chris
10-07-12, 07:52 PM
#17
Gorgeous bike James, I'm sure you're going to love it! My 1984 SP is among my favorite bikes.
10-08-12, 04:40 AM
#18
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Wow!! Beautiful bike. I'm searching for 25" frame of the Voyageur and even though I have not settled on a "SP", more and more I'm leaning towards one. (which will make it even more difficult to find
). Anyway, back to your bike: Congrats!!
). Anyway, back to your bike: Congrats!!
10-08-12, 09:52 AM
#20
Senior Member
Adding my congrats. Outstanding bike.
I just passed 3200 miles on my 84 Voyageur since getting it just over a year ago and every time
I get on it after not riding it for a while I think of what a great riding bike it is.
Mine is the non SP version made with double butted Champion 2 tubing.
It would be interesting to hear a discussion on the factors that make these such sweet riding frames.
The long wheelbase, long chainstays and low bottom bracket height are 3 that come to mind.
When I read these Voyageurs had a 74 degree seat tube angle I thought that might be a bit steep for a touring bike
but I was wrong. The proof for me was in the riding.
It also really helped on the comfort for me to get my bars up higher with a taller stem.
I hope you enjoy many, many great miles of riding on yours.
I just passed 3200 miles on my 84 Voyageur since getting it just over a year ago and every time
I get on it after not riding it for a while I think of what a great riding bike it is.
Mine is the non SP version made with double butted Champion 2 tubing.
It would be interesting to hear a discussion on the factors that make these such sweet riding frames.
The long wheelbase, long chainstays and low bottom bracket height are 3 that come to mind.
When I read these Voyageurs had a 74 degree seat tube angle I thought that might be a bit steep for a touring bike
but I was wrong. The proof for me was in the riding.
It also really helped on the comfort for me to get my bars up higher with a taller stem.
I hope you enjoy many, many great miles of riding on yours.
10-08-12, 12:41 PM
#21
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Thanks everyone! Like I said I'm in love.
This bike blows my trek out of the water. I have a feeling this is going to become my favorite bike.
Im hoping to put lots and lots of miles on it!
This weekend I think Ill take it apart clean the frame, spray some frame saver in the tubes. I'll start cleaning the parts, I think all they will need is some soap and water and lube.
I want to keep the original brake levers, those just need hoods.
Change the housing to white.
Add velo orange fenders I have had in my shed.
Eventually buy another brooks, front and rear racks, and bags.
Put on some Pasela's, though I need to look at the sealed bearings in the hubs.
This bike blows my trek out of the water. I have a feeling this is going to become my favorite bike.
Im hoping to put lots and lots of miles on it!
This weekend I think Ill take it apart clean the frame, spray some frame saver in the tubes. I'll start cleaning the parts, I think all they will need is some soap and water and lube.
I want to keep the original brake levers, those just need hoods.
Change the housing to white.
Add velo orange fenders I have had in my shed.
Eventually buy another brooks, front and rear racks, and bags.
Put on some Pasela's, though I need to look at the sealed bearings in the hubs.
Last edited by jamesj; 10-08-12 at 12:48 PM.
10-08-12, 08:28 PM
#22
10-08-12, 08:37 PM
#23
Senior Member
Really, really nice touring bike. I love the frame geometry, very classic. I also like what you plan to do with it. My only suggestion would be to replace the chain unless you can properly refurbish it. Otherwise, enjoy!
10-08-12, 08:55 PM
#24
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10-08-12, 09:16 PM
#25
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