This is James's 1985 Schwinn Voyageur. The 1985 Schwinn Voyageur is one of the great touring bikes. I love touring bicycles. They represent freedom, they are made for going anywhere near or far. Touring bicycles are versatile, they can fit narrow to wide tires, they have all the mounts for all the racks and accessories. Touring bicycles have a little more relaxed geometry so they are made for all day riding and exploring. I love touring bicycles.
1985 and 1986 where strange years in the bike industry, every bicycle manufacturer went all out on all their model lines. Schwinn for once went all out on a touring bicycle and built a gem. I wish Schwinn would have done this more instead of concentrate on price points.
This Schwinn Voyageur came from Texas and will be heading home to Charlotte. The Voyageur will receive a total restoration with new paint and decals. Along with the new paint the Voyageur will also receive new handlebar tape, new brake lever hoods, all new cables and cable housings, new bearings, new tire tubes and new tires. I am very excited to restore the Voyageur and test ride it. I love this stuff!
James's 1985 Schwinn Voyageur Restoration - Bicycle Before |
James's 1985 Schwinn Voyageur Restoration - Bicycle Before Handlebars |
James's 1985 Schwinn Voyageur Restoration - Bicycle Before Stem & Handlebars |
James's 1985 Schwinn Voyageur Restoration - Bicycle Before Head Tube |
James's 1985 Schwinn Voyageur Restoration - Bicycle Before Head Badge |
James's 1985 Schwinn Voyageur Restoration - Bicycle Before Front Brake |
James's 1985 Schwinn Voyageur Restoration - Bicycle Before Front Wheel Hub |
James's 1985 Schwinn Voyageur Restoration - Bicycle Before Front Wheel Rim |
James's 1985 Schwinn Voyageur Restoration - Bicycle Before Brake Lever |
James's 1985 Schwinn Voyageur Restoration - Bicycle Before Fork Mount |
James's 1985 Schwinn Voyageur Restoration - Bicycle Before Front Wheel Hub |
James's 1985 Schwinn Voyageur Restoration - Bicycle Before Stem |
James's 1985 Schwinn Voyageur Restoration - Bicycle Before Head Tube |
James's 1985 Schwinn Voyageur Restoration - Bicycle Before Headset |
James's 1985 Schwinn Voyageur Restoration - Bicycle Before Fork Grown |
James's 1985 Schwinn Voyageur Restoration - Bicycle Before Top Tube |
James's 1985 Schwinn Voyageur Restoration - Bicycle Before Shift Lever |
James's 1985 Schwinn Voyageur Restoration - Bicycle Before Down Tube |
James's 1985 Schwinn Voyageur Restoration - Bicycle Before Seat Lug |
James's 1985 Schwinn Voyageur Restoration - Bicycle Before Seat Tube |
James's 1985 Schwinn Voyageur Restoration - Bicycle Before Bottom Bracket |
James's 1985 Schwinn Voyageur Restoration - Bicycle Before Crank |
James's 1985 Schwinn Voyageur Restoration - Bicycle Before Front Derailleur |
James's 1985 Schwinn Voyageur Restoration - Bicycle Before Front Derailleur |
James's 1985 Schwinn Voyageur Restoration - Bicycle Before Rear Brake Caliper |
James's 1985 Schwinn Voyageur Restoration - Bicycle Before Rear Derailleur |
James's 1985 Schwinn Voyageur Restoration - Bicycle Before Rear Wheel hub |
James's 1985 Schwinn Voyageur Restoration - Bicycle Before Rear Wheel Rim |
James's 1985 Schwinn Voyageur Restoration - Frame Before |
James's 1985 Schwinn Voyageur Restoration - Frame Before Head Tube |
James's 1985 Schwinn Voyageur Restoration - Frame Before Head Tube |
James's 1985 Schwinn Voyageur Restoration - Frame Before Head Tube |
James's 1985 Schwinn Voyageur Restoration - Frame Before Top Tube |
James's 1985 Schwinn Voyageur Restoration - Frame Before Down Tube |
James's 1985 Schwinn Voyageur Restoration - Frame Before Down Tube |
James's 1985 Schwinn Voyageur Restoration - Frame Before Seat Lug |
James's 1985 Schwinn Voyageur Restoration - Frame Before Seat Tube |
James's 1985 Schwinn Voyageur Restoration - Frame Before Seat Tube |
James's 1985 Schwinn Voyageur Restoration - Frame Before Seat Tube |
James's 1985 Schwinn Voyageur Restoration - Frame Before Bottom Bracket |
James's 1985 Schwinn Voyageur Restoration - Frame Before Bottom Bracket |
James's 1985 Schwinn Voyageur Restoration - Frame Before Bottom Bracket |
James's 1985 Schwinn Voyageur Restoration - Frame Before Seat Lug |
James's 1985 Schwinn Voyageur Restoration - Frame Before Seat Stays |
James's 1985 Schwinn Voyageur Restoration - Frame Before Seat Stays |
James's 1985 Schwinn Voyageur Restoration - Frame Before Chain Stays |
James's 1985 Schwinn Voyageur Restoration - Frame Before Drop Outs |
James's 1985 Schwinn Voyageur Restoration - Frame Before Fork |
James's 1985 Schwinn Voyageur Restoration - Frame Before Fork Crown |
James's 1985 Schwinn Voyageur Restoration - Frame Before Fork Crown |
James's 1985 Schwinn Voyageur Restoration - Frame Before Fork Blade |
James's 1985 Schwinn Voyageur Restoration - Frame Before Fork Blades |
James's 1985 Schwinn Voyageur Restoration - Frame Before Fork Blades |
With the paint process being a long process I started polishing and restoring the components. The headset and bottom bracket is first. The bottom bracket is a pretty standard bottom bracket that which is great because with a little maintenance it will last forever unlike today's cartridge bottom brackets. Headset is a great looking headset, one of my favorites.
Both the headset and bottom bracket polished and restored beautifully. In the after photo I don't think I had changed out the old bearings yet.
James's 1985 Schwinn Voyageur Restoration - Headset & Bottom Bracket Before |
James's 1985 Schwinn Voyageur Restoration - Headset & Bottom Bracket Polished |
The stem polished beautifully along with the handlebars. I love how the brake lever polished, they look better then new.
James's 1985 Schwinn Voyageur Restoration - Handlebars Before |
James's 1985 Schwinn Voyageur Restoration - Handlebars Before |
James's 1985 Schwinn Voyageur Restoration - Handlebars & Stem Before |
James's 1985 Schwinn Voyageur Restoration - Stem Before |
James's 1985 Schwinn Voyageur Restoration - Stem Exploded |
James's 1985 Schwinn Voyageur Restoration - Brake Levers Before |
James's 1985 Schwinn Voyageur Restoration - Handlebars & Stem Polished |
James's 1985 Schwinn Voyageur Restoration - Handlebars Polished |
James's 1985 Schwinn Voyageur Restoration Stem Polished |
James's 1985 Schwinn Voyageur Restoration - Stem Complete |
James's 1985 Schwinn Voyageur Restoration - Stem & Handlebars Complete |
James's 1985 Schwinn Voyageur Restoration - Brake Levers Polished |
James's 1985 Schwinn Voyageur Restoration - Brake Levers Installed |
James's 1985 Schwinn Voyageur Restoration Brake Levers Installed |
James's 1985 Schwinn Voyageur Restoration - Seat Post Before |
James's 1985 Schwinn Voyageur Restoration - Seat Post Before |
James's 1985 Schwinn Voyageur Restoration - Seat Post Polished |
The cantilever brake calipers are very nice Die-Comp calipers, some of my favorites. The pieces to the calipers polished beautifully. Assembled the calipers look fantastic, I can't wait to see them installed to the frame.
James's 1985 Schwinn Voyageur Restoration - Brake Caliper Before |
James's 1985 Schwinn Voyageur Restoration - Brake Caliper Before |
James's 1985 Schwinn Voyageur Restoration - Brake Caliper Exploded |
James's 1985 Schwinn Voyageur Restoration - Brake Caliper Exploded |
James's 1985 Schwinn Voyageur Restoration - Brake Caliper Polished |
James's 1985 Schwinn Voyageur Restoration - Brake Calipers Complete |
James's 1985 Schwinn Voyageur Restoration - Shift Levers Before |
James's 1985 Schwinn Voyageur Restoration - Shift Levers Exploded |
James's 1985 Schwinn Voyageur Restoration - Shift Levers Polished |
The derailleurs are very nice derailleurs. The front derailleur is practically bullet proof and that is the most import thing for a touring bicycle. The derailleurs look a lot like the Shimano Deer Head derailleurs on many higher end early mountain bikes. The front derailleur cleaned very nice and polished beautifully. Assembled the derailleur looks fantastic, I can't wait to see it on the completed painted frame.
James's 1985 Schwinn Voyageur Restoration - Front Derailleur Before |
James's 1985 Schwinn Voyageur Restoration - Front Derailleur Before |
James's 1985 Schwinn Voyageur Restoration - Front Derailleur Before |
James's 1985 Schwinn Voyageur Restoration - Front Derailleur Before |
James's 1985 Schwinn Voyageur Restoration - Front Derailleur Exploded |
James's 1985 Schwinn Voyageur Restoration - Front Derailleur Polished |
James's 1985 Schwinn Voyageur Restoration - Front Derailleur Complete |
James's 1985 Schwinn Voyageur Restoration - Front Derailleur Complete |
The rear derailleur really looks like a Shimano Deer head derailleur. The pieces where a little stubborn in the cleaning process but once everything was cleaned and worked through the polishing wheels the pieces look perfect. Assembled the rear derailleur is beautiful, I love it!
James's 1985 Schwinn Voyageur Restoration - Rear Derailleur Before |
James's 1985 Schwinn Voyageur Restoration - Rear Derailleur Before |
James's 1985 Schwinn Voyageur Restoration - Rear Derailleur Before |
James's 1985 Schwinn Voyageur Restoration - Rear Derailleur Before |
James's 1985 Schwinn Voyageur Restoration - Rear Derailleur Exploded |
James's 1985 Schwinn Voyageur Restoration Rear Derailleur Polished |
James's 1985 Schwinn Voyageur Restoration - Rear Derailleur Complete |
James's 1985 Schwinn Voyageur Restoration - Rear Derailleur Complete |
James's 1985 Schwinn Voyageur Restoration - Rear Derailleur Complete |
Check back for more!
I am looking for the photos of the Voyageur frame with the paint stripped. They are here somewhere I just can't find them at the moment so I will post the photos of the frame painted.
It took a few mismatch colors to get the paint color right. I think the paint color is perfect now, it does not photo well in the florescent light of the shop but looks great in the sun. In the sun the slight metallic flake comes out too, it quit stunning. I am very happy with the paint results.
James's 1985 Schwinn Voyageur Restoration - Paint Complete |
James's 1985 Schwinn Voyageur Restoration - Paint Complete Head Tube |
James's 1985 Schwinn Voyageur Restoration - Paint Complete Head Tube |
James's 1985 Schwinn Voyageur Restoration - Paint Complete Top Tube |
James's 1985 Schwinn Voyageur Restoration - Paint Complete Down Tube |
James's 1985 Schwinn Voyageur Restoration - Paint Complete Seat Lug |
James's 1985 Schwinn Voyageur Restoration - Paint Complete Bottom Bracket |
James's 1985 Schwinn Voyageur Restoration - Paint Complete Bottom Bracket |
James's 1985 Schwinn Voyageur Restoration - Paint Complete Bottom Bracket |
James's 1985 Schwinn Voyageur Restoration - Paint Complete Seat Lug |
James's 1985 Schwinn Voyageur Restoration - Paint Complete Brake Studs |
James's 1985 Schwinn Voyageur Restoration - Paint Complete Chain Stays |
James's 1985 Schwinn Voyageur Restoration - Paint Complete Drop Outs |
James's 1985 Schwinn Voyageur Restoration - Paint Complete Fork |
James's 1985 Schwinn Voyageur Restoration - Paint Complete Fork Crown |
James's 1985 Schwinn Voyageur Restoration - Paint Complete Fork Crown |
James's 1985 Schwinn Voyageur Restoration - Paint Complete Fork Blades |
James's 1985 Schwinn Voyageur Restoration - Paint Complete Fork Studs |
James's 1985 Schwinn Voyageur Restoration - Paint Complete Fork Blades |
James's 1985 Schwinn Voyageur Restoration - Paint Complete Drop Outs |
James's 1985 Schwinn Voyageur Restoration - Tapping Threads |
Now the fun part. The components where restored in the photos early in the post but now they go on the frame. The headset is first. The headset shines amazing, it looks better then knew! It is so cool, I love this stuff!
James's 1985 Schwinn Voyageur Restoration Pressing Headset Cups |
James's 1985 Schwinn Voyageur Restoration Headset Cups Pressed |
James's 1985 Schwinn Voyageur Restoration - Headset Bearings Packed |
James's 1985 Schwinn Voyageur Restoration Headset Complete |
James's 1985 Schwinn Voyageur Restoration Headset Complete |
James's 1985 Schwinn Voyageur Restoration - Bottom Bracket Bearings Packed |
James's 1985 Schwinn Voyageur Restoration - Bottom Bracket Complete |
James's 1985 Schwinn Voyageur Restoration - Bottom Bracket Complete |
James's 1985 Schwinn Voyageur Restoration - Headset & Bottom Bracket Complete |
James's 1985 Schwinn Voyageur Restoration - Stem & Handlebars Installed |
James's 1985 Schwinn Voyageur Restoration - Stem & Handlebars Installed |
James's 1985 Schwinn Voyageur Restoration Handlebar Assembly Installed |
James's 1985 Schwinn Voyageur Restoration - Handlebar Assembly Installed |
James's 1985 Schwinn Voyageur Restoration - Front Brakes Installed |
James's 1985 Schwinn Voyageur Restoration - Rear Brakes Installed |
James's 1985 Schwinn Voyageur Restoration - Cantilever Brakes Complete |
James's 1985 Schwinn Voyageur Restoration Rear Derailleur Installed |
James's 1985 Schwinn Voyageur Restoration - Crank Polished |
James's 1985 Schwinn Voyageur Restoration - Crank Complete |
James's 1985 Schwinn Voyageur Restoration Crank Installed |
James's 1985 Schwinn Voyageur Restoration - Crank Complete |
James's 1985 Schwinn Voyageur Restoration - Shift Levers Polished |
James's 1985 Schwinn Voyageur Restoration - Shift Levers Installed |
James's 1985 Schwinn Voyageur Restoration - Main Body Components Installed |
James's 1985 Schwinn Voyageur Restoration Front Wheel Before |
James's 1985 Schwinn Voyageur Restoration - Front Wheel Hub Before |
James's 1985 Schwinn Voyageur Restoration Front Wheel Hub Before |
James's 1985 Schwinn Voyageur Restoration Front Wheel Rim Before |
James's 1985 Schwinn Voyageur Restoration - Front Wheel Rim Before |
James's 1985 Schwinn Voyageur Restoration - Front Wheel Hub Old Grease |
James's 1985 Schwinn Voyageur Restoration - Front Wheel Hub Polished |
James's 1985 Schwinn Voyageur Restoration - Front Wheel Hub Bearings Packed |
James's 1985 Schwinn Voyageur Restoration Wheel Tabs Before |
James's 1985 Schwinn Voyageur Restoration - Axle Pieces Complete |
James's 1985 Schwinn Voyageur Restoration Rear Wheel Before |
James's 1985 Schwinn Voyageur Restoration - Rear Wheel Hub Before |
James's 1985 Schwinn Voyageur Restoration - Rear Wheel Hub Before |
James's 1985 Schwinn Voyageur Restoration - Rear Wheel Rim Before |
James's 1985 Schwinn Voyageur Restoration - Rear Wheel Hub Old Grease |
James's 1985 Schwinn Voyageur Restoration - Rear Wheel Hub Polished |
James's 1985 Schwinn Voyageur Restoration - Rear Wheel Rim Polished |
James's 1985 Schwinn Voyageur Restoration - Rear Wheel Bearings Packed |
James's 1985 Schwinn Voyageur Restoration - Rear Wheel Hub Complete |
James's 1985 Schwinn Voyageur Restoration Rear Wheel Complete |
I installed the new Panaracer tires. They are perfect for the Voyageur. They will be a great ride for the Voyageur also.
James's 1985 Schwinn Voyageur Restoration New Panaracer Tires |
James's 1985 Schwinn Voyageur Restoration Front Wheel Complete |
James's 1985 Schwinn Voyageur Restoration Front Wheel Rim Complete |
James's 1985 Schwinn Voyageur Restoration Rear Wheel Complete |
James's 1985 Schwinn Voyageur Restoration Rear Wheel Rim Complete |
James's 1985 Schwinn Voyageur Restoration Wheels Complete |
James's 1985 Schwinn Voyageur Restoration New Cable Housings & Cables |
James's 1985 Schwinn Voyageur Restoration Brake Cables Complete |
James's 1985 Schwinn Voyageur Restoration Brake Cables Complete |
James's 1985 Schwinn Voyageur Restoration Rear Brake Cable Complete |
James's 1985 Schwinn Voyageur Restoration Rear Derailleur Cable Complete |
James's 1985 Schwinn Voyageur Restoration Cables Complete |
I am very frustrated with the decal people. Most of you know who I am talking about. The decals I was worried about them not sticking well to the frame because when I pulled the clear backing they did not feel very sticky. I was wrong, they are sticking to the masking front that is used to apply the decals. It will not free from the decals. New are suppose to be on the way. I think the masking is sticking because the decals are old.
I ended up going with different type of decal. Not as durable in its original form but a little treating and modification and the decals are much much more durable now. James wanted to go with the 1986 version of the decals over the original 1985 and I think its a great choice. The 1986 version is much more clean and less over powering. I like it a lot.
James's 1985 Schwinn Voyageur Restoration Top Tube Decal |
James's 1985 Schwinn Voyageur Restoration Down Tube Decal |
James's 1985 Schwinn Voyageur Restoration Seat Tube Decal |
James's 1985 Schwinn Voyageur Restoration Decals Complete |
I installed the new brake lever hoods and handlebar tape. I like the tan brake lever hoods, they match the tires very well!
James's 1985 Schwinn Voyageur Restoration New Brake Lever Hoods |
James's 1985 Schwinn Voyageur Restoration New Handlebar Tape |
James's 1985 Schwinn Voyageur Restoration Brake Lever Hoods Installed |
James's 1985 Schwinn Voyageur Restoration New Brake Lever Hoods & Handlebar Tape |
James's 1985 Schwinn Voyageur Restoration New Brake Lever Hoods & Tape Complete |
James's 1985 Schwinn Voyageur Restoration Replacement Freewheel |
James's 1985 Schwinn Voyageur Restoration New Chain |
James's 1985 Schwinn Voyageur Restoration Freewheel & Chain Complete |
James's 1985 Schwinn Voyageur Restoration Freewheel & Chain Complete |
James's 1985 Schwinn Voyageur Restoration Pedals Before |
James's 1985 Schwinn Voyageur Restoration Pedals Complete |
James's 1985 Schwinn Voyageur Restoration Chain Freewheel & Pedals Complete |
James's 1985 Schwinn Voyageur Restoration Saddle Cleaned |
Now for the looks of the Voyageur!! It looks fantastic!! I tried to catch some of the slight metallic flake in the photos but didn't do it justice. I love the color of the Voyageur, just love it!! The decals turned out fantastic and with a little bit of modification and treatment I did to them they should hold up very well. I think the gum wall tires and tab brake elver hoods brings everything together. I love this stuff!! I can't wait to get the last fine tuning done and really give the Voyageur a ride!
James's 1985 Schwinn Voyageur Restoration Bicycle Complete |
James's 1985 Schwinn Voyageur Restoration Bicycle Complete |
James's 1985 Schwinn Voyageur Restoration Bicycle Complete - Handlebars |
James's 1985 Schwinn Voyageur Restoration Bicycle Complete - Stem & Handlebars |
James's 1985 Schwinn Voyageur Restoration Bicycle Complete - Head Tube |
James's 1985 Schwinn Voyageur Restoration Bicycle Complete - Front Brake |
James's 1985 Schwinn Voyageur Restoration Bicycle Complete - Front Wheel Hub |
James's 1985 Schwinn Voyageur Restoration Bicycle Complete - Front Wheel Rim |
James's 1985 Schwinn Voyageur Restoration Bicycle Complete - Stem & Headset |
James's 1985 Schwinn Voyageur Restoration Bicycle Complete - Photo of the paint sparkle. |
James's 1985 Schwinn Voyageur Restoration Bicycle Complete - Front Half Poor Photo |
James's 1985 Schwinn Voyageur Restoration Bicycle Complete - Top Tube Decal |
James's 1985 Schwinn Voyageur Restoration Bicycle Complete - Shift Levers |
James's 1985 Schwinn Voyageur Restoration Bicycle Complete - Saddle |
James's 1985 Schwinn Voyageur Restoration Bicycle Complete - Seat Post Decal |
James's 1985 Schwinn Voyageur Restoration Bicycle Complete - Drive Train |
James's 1985 Schwinn Voyageur Restoration Bicycle Complete - Crank |
James's 1985 Schwinn Voyageur Restoration Bicycle Complete - Front Derailleur |
James's 1985 Schwinn Voyageur Restoration Bicycle Complete - Seat Lug |
James's 1985 Schwinn Voyageur Restoration Bicycle Complete - Rear Brake Calipers |
James's 1985 Schwinn Voyageur Restoration Bicycle Complete - Rear Derailleur |
James's 1985 Schwinn Voyageur Restoration Bicycle Complete - Rear Wheel Hub |
James's 1985 Schwinn Voyageur Restoration Bicycle Complete - Rear Wheel Rim |
James's 1985 Schwinn Voyageur Restoration Bicycle Complete |
John Z.