I looked through, and the farthest I go back is 1978. '78 and '79 model years had the "Hard Tail" line. Then, 1980 saw the introduction of the "Invader" series. I am missing '81 and '82, but in 1983, there was an Invader 2 and Invader 3 introduced. The original Invader had been phased out somewhere in '81 and '82. Best info I can give with my missing puzzle pieces is that these are 1981-1982 Western Flyer Invader pads. 1980 Invaders sold for $94.99 while magwheel version sold for $149.99. However, 1980 Invaders do not show any pads.
The original Invader was brought back for 1985 though, and it had similar pads, but not quite the same. It sold for $99.99
I am missing '86-'93 so any ideas how long the reintro of this model lasted is uncertain. Due to Western Auto going under in 2001, and starting to suffer in the 1990s, it is understandable that later-model Western Flyers are not so easy to find. I have a Wildcat myself in my mom's attic and it is built between '86 and '93. I'm pushing towards the latter because in '94, they use similar retro headbadges on their bikes, which mine has.
As a side note, I do believe that a handful, very rare, but a handful of the associate, mom-and-pop owned stores are still in business down in the South. They have had to find other sources for stock though. I have seen pics and stories of these stores, how much truth there is to this, I don't know.