The Schwinn Bicycle Co. is an American bicycle company and a bicycling history icon. From 1948 to 1982, Schwinn pioneered its own models of cruisers, touring bikes and three-speeds, fabricating their own frames and components in-house. After the 'Bicycle Boom' of the 1970s, however, Schwinn's proprietary frame-building technology and heavier bikes became less economically viable in an increasingly weight-obsessed industry--resulting in millions of unique vintage and antique bikes that can be identified by their serial numbers. Dating these bikes is usually the first step toward proper appraisal of a vintage Schwinn machine.
Find the serial number. Upon production, all Schwinns had a serial number stamped in one of three places on the frame.
The first possible location is on the underside of the bottom bracket. Sheldon Brown's Bicycle Glossary defines the bottom bracket as 'the part of the frame around which the pedal cranks revolve.' Turn the bike upside down to view it better.
The second possible location of the serial number is on the left rear dropout--the 'fork end that allows the rear wheel to be removed without derailing the chain first,' according to Brown's Glossary. Look for the left dropout on the same side as the chain.
1-16 of 46 results for 'Schwinn Varsity Bike' Showing selected results. See all results for Schwinn Varsity Bike. Schwinn Volare 1200 Road Bike, 700c/28 inch wheel size, Grey Gray, fitness bicycle, 53cm/Medium Frame Size. $230.99 $ 230 99 Prime. FREE Shipping on eligible orders. If you have a Schwinn from this era, please, PLEASE send us pictures of your bike and serial number ([email protected]). We are in the process of collecting pre-1948 serial numbers in the hopes of rebuilding the date code system for this period. This tool searches a database of Schwinn serial numbers and if it finds a match to your serial number then it will display the information available for your bike. Notes: This tool works for Schwinn bikes from 1948 to 1982. Where is the serial number located on Schwinn 220 recumbent bicycle? The serial number on a Schwinn 220 recumbent exercise bicycle is located on the underside of the rear stabilizer bar (the short bar underneath your seat).
The last of the possible locations is on the head tube, which is are on the very front of the bicycle (between the handlebars and the fork) on which the Schwinn logo badge is affixed. Look below and to the left of the badge to find the serial number.
Visit the Schwinn Date Codes website--this is the 'cheat sheet' for identifying Schwinn serial codes on the Internet, and it contains many other related resources and facts.
Follow the appropriate link. The Date Codes website has a link for each of the three places mentioned in Step 1 where you might have found the serial number. For example, if you found your code under the bottom bracket, click the link below the line on the website that says, 'IF THE SERIAL NUMBERS ARE FOUND UNDER BOTTOM BRACKET.'
Serial Numbers On Schwinn Bicycles
Find the serial number on the bicycle. Schwinns produced between 1960 and 1969 have serial numbers on the right rear axle mount (this mount keeps the wheel in place). Look for the serial number on the lower head tube (right above the wheel on the front of the bike) for Schwinns produced between 1970 and 1979.
Schwinn Varsity Serial Number Location
Match your serial number and find out the exact year, month and day your Schwinn was made. For appraisal purposes, this date will be helpful in determining your bike's collector value, though it is not a definite rule. Generally, the value is determined by what those within the community of Schwinn collectors would pay for that specific model and year. Some models are rarer and would command more value than others. Research auction and collector websites for more information.