Schwinn Bike Serial Numbers
I've been looking for info over the net and using our search function here (either I've overlooked it or the lack of information is the answer) about how to tell if a Schwinn is a Chicago Schwinn. Let me explain to narrow an answer. If my info is correct, at one point Schwinn was having bikes made in Japan by Panasonic and in Taiwan by Giant prier to their 1982 Chicago closing.My question is: During the time that Schwinn's were being made both here and abroad was there a distinction in the serial numbers? Such as different location that would make this determination or in the numbering system used? Or am I just misinformed and any bike made prior to 1982 is considered a Chicago Schwinn? Le Tour bikes were made in Japan at their inception, circa 1974.
But about 1979, LeTour production was moved to Chicago where they were hand brazed. About '83 they were built in Mississippi. The OP's original question about serial numbers is a good indicator. Japan and Taiwan serial numbers were different.
Schwinn Bike Serial Number Lookup
Giant built Schwinns almost always have a 'G' in the serial number. Chicago built Schwinns from the '70s have their serial numbers in one of two places, under the headbadge on the steering tube, always beginning with two letters, or in the case of a Paramount, on the left rear dropout.
These always begin with a letter followed by a two digit year, then a frame number, such as 'E73049' which equates to May 1973 the 49th frame. I believe The LeTours were made in Japan from 73.5 to 79.5 and in 1980-1988 the bicycles were made in Chicago. The Chicago plant closed for good in late 1983, so no Schwinn bicycles were built in Chicago after that date. Below are the first two pages of Schwinn Bulletin 23 published in 1981, explaining the serial number schemes from 1965 through 1981 for mass produced, limited production, and imported Schwinn bicycles.
The third page has some information on determining the vintage of pre-1965 Schwinns, but contains several errors, so I'm reluctant to post that page. I was under the impression that the Hungary idea was abandoned before production.And was unaware of China being involved. When labor rates in Japan started cutting into Schwinn's profit margins, Schwinn contracted with Giant in Taiwan (Tony Lo) for production there. When the labor rates in Taiwan started cutting into profit margins, Schwinn contracted with China Bicycles Company (Jerome Sze) in Hong Kong and Shenzhen (Shenzhen is in mainland China). Schwinn actually bought a one-third equity interest in China Bicycles Company in 1987.
When labor rates in Japan started cutting into Schwinn's profit margins, Schwinn contracted with Giant in Taiwan (Tony Lo) for production there. When the labor rates in Taiwan started cutting into profit margins, Schwinn contracted with China Bicycles Company (Jerome Sze) in Hong Kong and Shenzhen (Shenzhen is in mainland China). Schwinn actually bought a one-third equity interest in China Bicycles Company in 1987. I'm an Idiot.I knew about Taiwan.for some reason I didn't identify it with China.
Later Schwinn serial numbers / years made Bicycles from Japan made in the 70’s have a production month letter in either the first or second position and a production year number in the other (first or second) position. Examples J677123 = September, 1976, 6J77123 = September, 1976. During the 1980s, Greenville used the old letter-digit (e.g. F8 = June 1988 )system which Chicago abandoned in 1965, when it changed to the two-letter system. Some Taiwanese (built by Giant) Schwinns have a date code (on the right rear axle hanger or on the bottom bracket shell) in the format ' Gmmyy'. The letter 'G' followed by a two-digit month code (01 = January etc.) and two more digits for the production year (81 = 1981 etc.). An example would be 'G0181' and equates to 'Giant, January, 1981'.
On bikes made after 1982: You can find a 4 digit serial number lightly stamped onto the headbadge. The first three digits are the numerical day of the year, and the last digit is the last digit of the year. EXAMPLE: 3654 is 12/31/84 or 94? You determine decade. Generally the 4 digits on the headbadge breakdown as follows: First 3 are the date of build 1 thru 365, the 4th (last digit) is the last number in the year. So '0' probably stands for 1990.
If you are not sure which decade the bike is from, check the parts and graphics on the bike to the pictures in the catalog pages. Most Paramount serial numbers would start with a letter and then 2 to 5 numbers.
My 1974 for example is A74149 or the 149th frame from January (A) 1974 (74).