This is a very nice and fairly rare bike. I have one in crimson, a slightly smaller size. Made in Japan for Schwinn, yet 531 DB throughout. I think it was made only two years, 1977 and 1978 perhaps. In that way somewhat similar to the Japanese-made Schwinn World Voyageur, mode only in 1973.
It is said that the World Voyageur was discontinued because it was a threat to Paramount, but the World Voyageur had only partial Dura-Ace, just the crank and rear derailleur. And the RD was long cage, and the overall design sport/touring, so it was more a threat to the touring Paramount than the racing model. The Volare, on the other hand is ALL Dura-Ace, with a short cage RD. While they positioned this as a sport model, it makes a very capable racing bike, and should have been a real threat to Paramount.
The thing that struck me odd about the Volare was the name. Makes me think of a 3-speed town bike with a front basket, perhaps a woman's model, on which one would tool around town doing light shopping. Seems totally out of place on an all DA 531 DB racing/sport bike.
IMHO, the Buy It Now is perhaps too high, but the bike is well worth the opening bid.
Regards,
Jerry Moos Big Spring, Texas, USA
Calvert Guthrie <prairieprinter@mac.com> wrote:
Some are going to say this is priced too high.
It's just a shot in the dark for a bike that doesn't turn up much.
For folks with stems the right length, it's a good ride.
Calvert Guthrie
Kansas City
Missouri
USA