1972 Schwinn Varsity

Hey man thanks for the insight. You may be right. The only tip I had was an old worn sticker that I removed from the seatmast that read "1972 Schwinn Varsity." I didn't notice and AS or Arnold Schwinn tag but will take a look when I get back into town. As for the fork, it's bladed. Any thoughts?

Thanks,

RD

The forks that they put on the earlier Varsitys, oh maybe '60 to '66? were bladed. If you are not sure what I mean check out some of the pics of my Varsitys. (Yeah, I know I am a huge nerd for having a small Varsity collection, But the old ones are cool damn it!) Anyways they are basically thin strips of metal, and have a huge rake to them. I have some trouble with them, they are very flexible side to side. So climbing and sprinting can feel very weird and spongy. Also because there is so much flex a well tuned brake will easily rub, I see that you won't have that issue. These are just my thoughts, I've seen people change them for a more straight tubular fork, but hey if it it works and you like it, than you better ROCK IT! I have no plans to change my forks, they are a symbal to to era of the bike, besides you won't find that wonderful green to match.

I believe Lime green was actually a later color option but? I had an identical '74 varsity. It could be as old as '65, it isn't an 8 speed model. That is super cool about the AS bolts, I've never heard of them on a lightweight. That looks to be a sprint sprocket ('66 only) rare and sweet, and that stem is ill!

I have seen that sprint crankset on bikes from '63 - '66. Sprint was a division of Huret specially for Schwinn, rare indeed. Also the headbadge is a round one instead of oval. Here is a serial # decoder site,

http://www.geocities.com/sldatabook/serial.html

All that matters is the first two characters. First one for month, second one for year. As far as I understand all bikes had AS hardware untill '68. That is when the company changed its name from 'Arnold Schwinn and Company' to 'Schwinn Bicycle Company'. The company was passed on to the kids and the fall to wallmart started.

All indications are that it's older (as mid-60s). Schwinn began using stem shifters around 1970; this (you can see has downtube bosses). The lime green was DEFINITELY an earlier color from the 60s.
Heavy rake on the fork from the 60s. White band on seat tube another giveaway.

Nice stuff!!!

Peace,
MontclairBobbyB