Where is this serial number?

[HerrOtto]

I can't seem to be able to find this Super Sport's serial number. It's not on the head tube, head badge, rear drop outs or bottom bracket. The only thing I can find is, P2 stamped on the bottom of the bottom bracket. It is Red in color and a 26" frame. Any help is appreciated.

[JeffC]

The P2 is just a part number or reference number for the bottom bracket shell. Does the bike appear to be repainted. That red looks pretty bright for a Super Sport. The year they had Super Sport in Red was 1974 and it was the last run of the frames and it wasn't listed in the catalog for '74. The other Red fillet brazed frame was the Sport Limited in '77  that came with a three piece crank conversion and it was the last run of fillet brazed frames they were holding back for warranty and such. Plans were already in the works for killing the Chicago plant. 

A picture of the entire bike would help too. I'm thinking it's been repainted and the serial number is buried under the paint. I have a '78 Superior that has a very light strike on the serial number and it's hard to read with the factory paint. If it is a '74 it wouldn't have an assembly date on the headbadge. They began that practice in mid 1976.   

[schwinnman67]

It looks like there is a number visible in the head tube pic..... BJ8192

[HerrOtto]

Schwinnman67, that's amazing, you are correct. Now when I enlarge the picture, I can see the serial number. Looking up that number, it is Feb of 1973. Would that bike have come with a Brooks B15 saddle, that is what is on the bike? Thank you

[HerrOtto]

I don't believe the bike has been repainted, though the 1973 catalog does not show a Red color for the Super Sport.

[JeffC]

Good catch Lee. My eyes are not getting any better the older I get. The thing with the fillet brazed frames is they were built and stored and not assembled until needed. The bike was sold as 1974 model year but the frame was actually built in 1973. I had a 1975 Lime Green Sports Tourer that had a 1973 built frame but all the original components were 1975 dated. Before the assembly date on the head badge it was harder to determine model year. You had to use paint color, component dates, decals etc... to identify it.

[rickpaulos]

yeah, that doesn't look like Schwinn lacquer paint and it's not chipped up.

But the Sport Limited bikes were painted red...

EK serial (may 1974)
2587 head badge (October 12 1977).
Frame sat around for 3 years.


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