Museum of Mountain Bike Art & Technology

 

 

1979 Schwinn Spitfire 5

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The Spitfire 5 was an attempt by Schwinn to ride the mountain bike wave without spending too much money.  They added a drum brake, heavy duty spokes and 5 speeds to the regular cantilever frame to make a pseudo mountain bike.    The Shimano Positron shifting system used a solid wire cable to push and pull the derailleur which has a series of detents that lined up with the gears.  This was a very early attempt at indexed shifting.  As the "Klunker" craze grew, this same bike was sold with a Klunker 5 name in certain markets.  This bike was made in late 1979 which may make it a 1980 model year bike.

 
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Frame Steel Electro-Forged construction
Fork Schwinn flat bladed
Rear Shock NA
Rims Schwinn S-2 steel rims
Hubs Schwinn approved front, Atom drum rear
Spokes Zinc 105 gauge
Tires Carlisle Studded Balloon white wall
Pedals Schwinn-Approved rubber block pedal
Crank One piece with stamped steel single chain ring
Chain Sedis
Rear Cogs Shimano 5 speed freewheel
Bottom Bracket Schwinn approved for one piece crank
Front Derailleur NA
Rear Derailleur Shimano Positron
Shifters Shimano Positron, stem mount
Handlebars Schwinn cruiser bars
Stem Schwinn approved steel
Headset Schwinn Approved Steel
Brake set Weinmann caliper front, Atom drum rear
Brake levers Schwinn Approved, Weinmann
Saddle Schwinn Cruiser
Seat Post Steel
Colors Black
Size 18"
Serial #   KQ503804