Schwinn Stingray, muscle bike.

[60sStuff]

Most everyone that likes the 60’s-70’s Muscle Cars is aware of the muscle bike Schwinn created for the younger crowd of that era.

The real, “real” ones were built from around May 1963 through 1973.

Two speed kick back hubs, Three speed trigger, or shifter and the “Krate” series with their famous 5 speed shifters.

Just like the Survivor Muscle cars, I also follow and collect Survivor Stingrays.

The Krate series bikes were offered in various colors with unique names on their chain guards.

The “kool” Orange Krate was built from 1968 through 1972 and in the last year of 1973 Schwinn changed the color to a darker Orange called “Sunset”
Consequently the seat is a darker orange to match the paint (one year only).

Below is a one year only 1973 “Sunset” Orange Krate Survivor that is 100% Original.
The head tube code is CJ = March ‘73.

The rear disc brake came out in very late 1971 and continued through ‘73.

This bike is like factory new!
Paint, screen on guard, seat, all the chrome and it’s factory dated tires.

Chris.

[70 copo]

Neat! There was an all original blue Stingray for sale just this past weekend at a Swap. It was a survivor-complete with its owners manuals too.

As an aside I grew up riding an Apollo 5 identical to this one.

[Burd]

That looks more like an Apple Crate, it looks Red? a guy at auto Rama a few years back had 1 of each of the crate bikes.

[70 copo]

It is an Orange Krate, which uses a Sting-Ray frame and springer fork.

Originals were so popular they are now reproduced.

https://www.schwinnbikes.com/products/orange-krate

[Burd]

Paint looks off, that’s all.

[GrumpyJeff]

I still have my Original Orange Crate that my dad bought me in August 1968 from the local Firestone Store. But my politically incorrect "Cotton Picker" is the one that gets all the dirty looks when i ride it around

[markinnaples]

Love the old Stingrays, and love the Schwinn brazing on the frames. The early Schwinn Sting had brazing on their frames as well and are some of the nicest BMX frames ever made. They're really like artwork.

[70 copo]

Paint looks off, that’s all.

You are right. Like the difference between Hugger O vs Sunset O

[Keith Seymore]

I still have my Original Orange Crate that my dad bought me in August 1968 from the local Firestone Store.

I got mine about a year later, in August of 1969.

You and me both had cool dads.

K

[Keith Seymore]

Love the old Stingrays, and love the Schwinn brazing on the frames. The early Schwinn Sting had brazing on their frames as well and are some of the nicest BMX frames ever made. They're really like artwork.

One of the projects dad worked on when he was in CPC Advanced Manufacturing Engineering was the second generation Fiero frame (aka "P2" chassis).

It was to be a space frame construction, and one of the options was a welded tube build - or - tubes with cast connectors at the nodes. As a result he traveled to Schwinn, Hitchner Casting (they make Crane rocker arms, among other recognizable castings) and Mr Gasket to review their various manufacturing processes.

K

(The ended up going with a combination of stamped aluminum and hydroformed aluminum tube, and built and tested a couple parts, before the program was canceled).

[JRSully]

I always wanted a Krate, parents only popped for a basic 'Ray (which was still a nice bike) and they made for great "choppers" down the road. Was always impressed how the kickstands were welded on, never moved and almost never broke

[markinnaples]

One of the projects dad worked on when he was in CPC Advanced Manufacturing Engineering was the second generation Fiero frame (aka "P2" chassis).

It was to be a space frame construction, and one of the options was a welded tube build - or - tubes with cast connectors at the nodes. As a result he traveled to Schwinn, Hitchner Casting (they make Crane rocker arms, among recognizable castings) and Mr Gasket to review their various manufacturing processes.

K

(The ended up going with a combination of stamped aluminum and hydroformed aluminum tube, and built and tested a couple parts, before the program was canceled).

Your insight and knowledge of the GM world is always interesting and fun to read. The stuff you and your dad saw could fill a few books. Thanks for sharing.

[flyingn]

simply breathtaking..

Most everyone that likes the 60’s-70’s Muscle Cars is aware of the muscle bike Schwinn created for the younger crowd of that era.

The real, “real” ones were built from around May 1963 through 1973.

Two speed kick back hubs, Three speed trigger, or shifter and the “Krate” series with their famous 5 speed shifters.

Just like the Survivor Muscle cars, I also follow and collect Survivor Stingrays.

The Krate series bikes were offered in various colors with unique names on their chain guards.

The “kool” Orange Krate was built from 1968 through 1972 and in the last year of 1973 Schwinn changed the color to a darker Orange called “Sunset”
Consequently the seat is a darker orange to match the paint (one year only).

Below is a one year only 1973 “Sunset” Orange Krate Survivor that is 100% Original.
The head tube code is CJ = March ‘73.

The rear disc brake came out in very late 1971 and continued through ‘73.

This bike is like factory new!
Paint, screen on guard, seat, all the chrome and it’s factory dated tires.

Chris.

[60sStuff]

Paint looks off, that’s all.

The paint is not off.

It’s the Factory “Sunset” Orange which is darker and Not red.

The Orange Krate you show in post #5 is called “Kool” Orange, which is a lighter color used on 1968 - 1972 Orange Krates.

Below shows the difference between my ‘73 color and two others.

The ‘71 Apple Krate and ‘72 Orange Krate are not mine.

[Lynn]

Someone made a 3 speed version of the banana seat bike with a leopard print seat.

I had one, but don't remember the brand. Maybe Murray or Huffy. I do know that when I was at MCACN in 2016 or so, there was one on display with many other 60s bikes.

Anyone remember the brand name?

[wayoutz]

God that sunset orange is drop dead beautiful. Guess we just never grew up

[60sStuff]

Besides the Banana seats, high handle bars, shifter, springer and seat strut shocks, there is the cool brake system that Schwinn used on the Krates.

Front Atom “drum” brake (68-73).
Rear “disc” brake (late ‘71-73).

Close up of the front Atom drum and factory replacement shoes (bonded, not riveted).

The rear disc brake shown here is a late 1971 unit (4-71) and is extremely difficult to find.

Chris.

[njsteve]

My 1970 Raleigh Chopper back when I got it in Summer 1970 and after I restored it around 15 years ago.

[60sStuff]

This is the other Krate bike I still own.
An (HF) = Aug. 1970 “PEA PICKER”.

At one time 25+ years ago I had all the Krate bikes, but have reduced that down to the above Sunset Orange and this Pea.

This Krate is also 100% factory Original including the Campus Green paint and it’s born with dated tires.

I found this bike hanging in an old Schwinn dealer in San Francisco covered in dust.
It took a few years before they would sell it to me, but it was worth it.

The paint on this bike shows a slight marble which is beautiful, that only comes with age.

A few options such as the speedometer and tail light add to the classic look of the Krates.

My taste for the Stingrays moved toward the early (63-66) models after I sold off the other Krates.

[Keith Seymore]

I had the speedo on mine at one point, as well (although it doesn't show in the picture I posted).

A couple sincere questions:

a) On mine the shift knob had a 90 degree bend and the knob was horizontal. Is that a model year thing?

b) Also, mine had a striped slick (although I don't recall if it was a red stripe or, I assume, an orange stripe) rather than the white letter tires shown on yours. Is that a model year thing?

c) How come the collectors always park the bikes with the shifter all the way forward? That would be high gear, and the most difficult gear to take off in when riding.

K

[AnthonyS]

Hey Roger, where, or when maybe, did you get that photo of an Orange Krate for sale for $75?! That's even way cheap for an offshore repop. Hah, I saw that and immediately started looking for one for The Boy... that must've been a scam. Gah.

[60sStuff]

I had the speedo on mine at one point, as well (although it doesn't show in the picture I posted).

A couple sincere questions:

a) On mine the shift knob had a 90 degree bend and the knob was horizontal. Is that a model year thing?

b) Also, mine had a striped slick (although I don't recall if it was a red stripe or, I assume, an orange stripe) rather than the white letter tires shown on yours. Is that a model year thing?

c) How come the collectors always park the bikes with the shifter all the way forward? That would be high gear, and the most difficult gear to take off in when riding.

K

Hi Keith,

a) 1969 model year thing.
Actually ‘69 Krates used three shifter handles. All three had the 90 degree bend before the knob.
1) A straight arm with horizontal round knob.
2) A two bend arm with horizontal round knob.
3) A two bend arm with a barrel knob.
That barrel knob is what they used from that point forward.

b) 1968 and ‘69 used a “colorline silk” on the back which matched the bike.
Yours would have been an Orange line slik. It shows in your highlighted photo.
The RWL Sliks came out in 1970.

BTW, the colorline Slik tires were the coolest.
You could go into your Schwinn dealer and purchase a colorline superior front tire to match the rear. That front tire was extremely rare tire back then and impossible to find today.

c) Collectors preference. Besides, how many of these people actually ride these Krates. I don’t, as they are show and tell only.

Thanks for sharing your Krate, Chris.

[wheelhop]

That price is way too cheap!!

[njsteve]

That $74.99 photo is probably a scam since the reproductions don't have the shifters on the center bar.

IIRC that was one of the reasons that these bikes were killed off back in the 1970's - some type of safety issue back in the day with 1) taking your hands off the handlebars to shift, and 2) losing your nuts if you crashed and slid forward into the shifter. (OUCH)

[firstgenaddict]

One of the projects dad worked on when he was in CPC Advanced Manufacturing Engineering was the second generation Fiero frame (aka "P2" chassis).

It was to be a space frame construction, and one of the options was a welded tube build - or - tubes with cast connectors at the nodes. As a result he traveled to Schwinn, Hitchner Casting (they make Crane rocker arms, among other recognizable castings) and Mr Gasket to review their various manufacturing processes.

K

(The ended up going with a combination of stamped aluminum and hydroformed aluminum tube, and built and tested a couple parts, before the program was canceled).

There was another BMX cvompany in the late 70's early 80's named I believe VITUS they manufactured Aluminum BMX bikes which were glued together using forged or cast connectors with T6 tubes if not mistaken. EXTREMELY LIGHT and strong.

[Damien]

There was another BMX cvompany in the late 70's early 80's named I believe VITUS they manufactured Aluminum BMX bikes which were glued together using forged or cast connectors with T6 tubes if not mistaken. EXTREMELY LIGHT and strong.


https://bmxmuseum.com/bikes/vitus/

[454_Malibu]

My 1970 Raleigh Chopper back when I got it in Summer 1970 and after I restored it around 15 years ago.

My Brother and I both got the Raleigh Choppers about 1970sh? His was same color as yours. Mine was Orange.. The shifter was not like that./ they were round.. I will try to find pics if they exist.. Thanks Steve for posting!!

[njsteve]

Mine is a three-speed. Did you have the 5-speed or more? They had different knobs depending on the number of gears. My brother had a black 5-speed with two shifters side by side and the really tall sissy bar with the pad on top. Also, those knobs had a habit of geeting unscrewed and lost. It was hard to get a corrrect replacement T-bar knob set back then.

This was a girls version I restored for my daughter. Since there was no cross bar, they had the shifter on the center of the handlebars.

[Lee Stewart]

I must have been about 12 when I decided a wanted a "Banana Seat" single speed Schwinn bike so I could do jumps and such. So I traded in my Raleigh 3 speed full size and some very hard earned lawn mowing and baby sitting money.

It was great until everyone got on their bikes to take a ride into town which was about 3 miles away and I am peddling my a$$ off trying to stay up with the pack. It lasted about 3 months when to my good fortune it was stolen out of our garage. I took the insurance money and borrowed what I needed from my mom and bought a beautiful lime green metallic Schwinn 10 speed full size bike complete with the racing handlebar.

[454_Malibu]

mine is a three-speed. Did you have the 5-speed or more? They had different knobs depending on the number of gears. My brother had a black 5-speed with two shifters side by side and the really tall sissy bar with the pad on top. Also, those knobs had a habit of geeting unscrewed and lost. It was hard to get a corrrect replacement t-bar knob set back then.

This was a girls version i restored for my daughter. Since there was no cross bar, they had the shifter on the center of the handlebars.

190583 identical to this,, 3spd

[AnthonyS]

That $74.99 photo is probably a scam since the reproductions don't have the shifters on the center bar.

Yeah, and I don't think I want to buy something from a website with "something"18.com in it's URL...

[mhm1966]

I had a Schwinn " Lemon Peeler " that came with a five speed stick. When I use to hit the front brake the back wheel use to come off the ground.

[Crush]

Not a Schwinn but here is a pic of a 1955 Firestone. Sorry for quality of pic

[SMS]

Great looking Krates guys. Old bikes are so cool.

This is my old Copper Fastback from when I was a kid. Bonus shots of Mom's SS/RS air convertible in both backgrounds.

[njsteve]

190583 identical to this,, 3spd

Yes, that is the other style shifter with the round head. The shifter choice also depended on what rear hub was used. There were two manufacturers that supplied the three speed hubs.

[JoeC]

here is my one owner 1967 Stingray

[Postsedan]

here is my one owner 1967 Stingray

Love it :)

Dan

[njsteve]

Here's the pages from a 1970 Raleigh catalog courtesy of my friend CTBob. This shows the difference in the shifters. You got the "Sportshift with Short-Thrust Ball Shifter" (the one you remember) with the Sturmey Archer TCW 3-speed hub or the Sturmey Archer AW wide-ratio 3-speed hub version. Mine has the wide-ratio Sturmey Archer AW hub with the T-handle shifter.

Kind of like M21 and M20 close and wide ratio transmissions!

[69M22Z]

here is my one owner 1967 Stingray

Really cool

[454_Malibu]

Here's the pages from a 1970 Raleigh catalog courtesy of my friend CTBob. This shows the difference in the shifters. You got the "Sportshift with Short-Thrust Ball Shifter" (the one you remember) with the Sturmey Archer TCW 3-speed hub or the Sturmey Archer AW wide-ratio 3-speed hub version. Mine has the wide-ratio Sturmey Archer AW hub with the T-handle shifter.

Kind of like M21 and M20 close and wide ratio transmissions!

Thanks Steve, mine was identical to the Green one, painted Orange, next visit to my Mom,s house I will dig thru the Photos

[60sStuff]

They were an expensive bicycle, but you got the Best.
Heavy, Durable and last forever.

As this old sign points out ..... Quality.

Every component was of the highest standard including the paint.

The Stingrays were offered in these beautiful Flamboyant and Radiant colors.

They actually glowed because of the process used.
The final baked on enamel finish coat was lightly sprayed over the aluminum coat which caused the glow underneath the paint.

[60sStuff]

The mid 63 through 1965 are the most difficult to find in any condition, but an unmolested Survivor is next to impossible.
These early years used a short frame. Late ‘65 and newer used a longer frame.

Once I had my fill of the “Krates”, I moved on to searching out the coolest of the Rays.

It took many years to amass a line-up of Survivors.

There are No repaints or recovered seats in this collection.
Plus most all of them are still wearing their Original “dated” tires.

Here is an ad in the 1965 sales brochure showing an XKE in the background and a Sky Blue J39 next to a Flamboyant Lime J38.
I have these two examples in my collection.

[Dave Rifkin]

My neighbor had two 1968 Krates; one Orange Krate and one Lemon Peeler. He had the colored slik for each of them. He is of the opinion that the original tires for the very early Krates were not slick tires but were knobby, treaded tires. (I think he's wrong)

Can you confirm my suspicions?

I had a blue Stingray Fastback in 1970 and it had a very narrow slick that did have a tread to it.

[60sStuff]

Hi Dave,

Sorry, but your neighbor is correct.

There were quite a variety of rear tires through the years on the Stingrays.

The very very early 1968 Krates came with a color line “knobby” rear tire.
Later in ‘68 they were fitted with a “gripper” slik which had a shallow cross tread that continued into 1969.

I found a few photos showing the color line knobby and the color line gripper.

PS, the three round circles with dots on the sidewall of the Orange line knobby tells its a first quarter of 1968 date code.

Also the Fastbacks came with a narrow slik or gripper style depending on the model.

Thanks, Chris.

[TimG]

I'd love to see your collection. I grew up with a Campus Green 1968 Stingray. Not a Crate, but a no fender Stingray with a mouse trap on the front to hold my books. It was 1.5 miles to school and I'd come home every day for lunch, so six miles per day on my Stingray for the last three years of grade school.

[RPOLS3]

Here is our original owner Stingray. I think it is early to mid 70's vintage as I recall I got this around 1974? My brother then used it and it was passed around to other family friends through the 80's and 90's and returned to us around 2000. We cleaned it up for my son to start using around 2004-ish and brought it to the 2012 MCACN Muscle Bike feature the same year my Chevelle was in the Class of 1972 feature. Still original paint, chrome, and seat.

[60sStuff]

Here is a line-up shown on a postcard of New Schwinn bicycles at “John’s Cyclery” in West Virginia.

Many 1968 Apple Krates and Lemon Peelers out front.

My current line-up of early Survivors.

Me on my 1966 Violet Deluxe back in Illinois.
Moms 1967 Buick Wildcat.
Dads 1965 Mustang.

The good old days!

[TimG]

Wow

[njsteve]

the kids

[169indy]

My Grand Parents purchased from Columbia Cycle Spokane Wa. Two Matching Schwinn 1968 Run-A-Bouts, Campus Green, Three on the tree.

Cooler Kids with banana Seats had WAY cooler bikes than our Huffy's and Green machines.

Cool white wall gripper slicks! and Rear fender rash. (White Walls LONG Gone)

Sunday, Monday, Happy Days, Tuesday,,,,,,,,

Still have both bikes, & they make Great Drag racing Pit Rides.

JIM

[60sStuff]

169indy,

Those bikes were the fold-up bike. Green and Brown colors.

Schwinn made them to fit in the trunk of the car.

[169indy]

Correct: Perfect for the School Kid or Retiree on the GO!

We broke the Neck Popping Wheelie's and damaged the rear fenders over and over, not to mention grabbing 2-1/2 gear on the move putting your teeth into your knee caps.

[Keith Seymore]

Still have both bikes, & they make Great Drag racing Pit Rides.

JIM

I'd LOVE to have something cool for a pit bike at the track, but I fear it would turn up missing when left unattended.

Plus - I wasn't a very good dad in the respect that my kids all had kinda crappy bikes. I'd feel bad about getting something really nice for myself at this point.

K

[169indy]

I'd LOVE to have something cool for a pit bike at the track, but I fear it would turn up missing when left unattended.
K

We Pit or Spectate in Groups! - Heck I am more worried about the Grill being unattended.

all in Good FUN

Bremerton Raceway.

JIM

[60sStuff]

Untouched Survivor with beautiful Factory Paint.

One of my favorite Sting-ray models and color.

Advertised as Violet or Radiant Violet, but the common term used is Opal Violet.

Opal Violet was only available for 10 months (April ‘64 through January’65).

The J39 Deluxe model featured some cool stuff.

A tufted solo polo seat made by Charlie PERSONS.
Large Stimsonite reflector.
Chrome fenders.
White Wall tires.
Reverse screen chain guard.

Below is my E4, May 25, 1964 Opal Deluxe.

The early Sting-rays came with the small upper bearing head set like this bike.
Also the chrome square back seat strut was not crimped at the two seat mount bolts.
Rear S-2 rim has the early 36 spokes.
Both tires are factory Original to this bike, dated 2nd 1/4 of ‘64.

Sold new out of DENO’S Bike Shop in Sacramento, Ca.

Chris

[JoeC]

Nice Schwinn stuff Chris

It is interesting how Schwinn frames were used in the 1970's for home built BMX bikes and Mountain Bikes before you can buy a BMX or MTB bike.

After reading the book "Flat Tire Flyer" about the history of Mountain Biking , I built a 1953 Schwinn Hornet like the bike on the cover of the book.

I used mostly 1970s parts like they did for these early home built MTBs. Dirt motorcycle handle bars and levers, front drum brake, 1970s road bike parts, etc

I still need to get some 1970's style tires for it like on the book cover bike

[TimG]

Chris, that is one beautiful bike.

[60sStuff]

This is another favorite of mine.
It came out of the Chicago area and moved to my home in 2006.

EA68428 = May 26, 1965

Almost zero wear, mint factory paint and seat. Still wears it’s born with dated tires.
The “reverse screen” on the guard is very strong.

I really like the water slide decal on the top bar and the Dealer sticker on the seat post tube. Period Stuff.

Chris.

[TimG]

I love that bike. I wish you could find my old Schwann Stingray, it’s from the Chicago area, too.

[Mr.Nickey Nova]

Had that same bike, color and everything else when i lived in Franklin Park around the same time frame.

[60sStuff]

I needed to take a look at my Stingray seat stash as I have a few guys inquiring.

It took me years to accumulate these NOS and Mint used seats.

These seats are just like the bikes they were intended for, beautiful.

PERSONS (Charlie Persons) Polo Seat that was intended for various bicycles in the very early 60’s.
This “Solo-Polo” seat became famous when Schwinn decided to use it on their first two years (63, 64) of the Stingray bicycle.

Charlie must have been thrilled when that happened, $$$$.

PERSONS-MAJESTIC MFG. went on to build a huge variety of seats for Schwinn and other brands over several decades.

This NOS Dark Red Polo Seat with seat strut in the box is a one of a kind.
The box is dated 1960, just as the letter describing this ultra rare seat.

[Postsedan]

Beautiful!!!

Love these :)

Dan

[Billohio]

Since I was a kid we drove by this family’s bike shop. I never knew if it was even open. I saw this on marketplace and sounded like it sat in the store all it’s life. Seems high but thought some of you might want to see it

[TimG]

I love the warning, one rider, not two. I'd have one guy on the seat and one on the handlebars when I was a kid.

[napa68]

I needed to take a look at my Stingray seat stash as I have a few guys inquiring.

It took me years to accumulate these NOS and Mint used seats.

These seats are just like the bikes they were intended for, beautiful.

PERSONS (Charlie Persons) Polo Seat that was intended for various bicycles in the very early 60’s.
This “Solo-Polo” seat became famous when Schwinn decided to use it on their first two years (63, 64) of the Stingray bicycle.

Charlie must have been thrilled when that happened, $$$$.

PERSONS-MAJESTIC MFG. went on to build a huge variety of seats for Schwinn and other brands over several decades.

This NOS Dark Red Polo Seat with seat strut in the box is a one of a kind.
The box is dated 1960, just as the letter describing this ultra rare seat.

Your diversity of interests, knowledge, and inventory never ceases to amaze me Chris!

[60sStuff]

Billohio,

That AD = Jan. 68 Orange Krate is worth about 1/2 his asking price on a good day.
Totally wrong rear tire and no rear brake. The rear caliper is missing and the rear brake cable is laying on the ground. Plus I question if the seat is OEM.
I show someone else’s 68 Orange Krate as a reference.

The very early ‘68 Orange Krates came with the rare Orange line knobby tire that I show here.
Later in the 68 year Schwinn used an Orange line Slik and in 1969 they went with a color line gripper Slik for the other color Krates as shown in post #44.

The above information is just a fraction of the changes Schwinn was doing with these Krate bikes.

[markinnaples]

Doesn't the ad above say that he replaced the rear caliper brake with an internal drum brake and that's where the cable is going?

[60sStuff]

Doesn't the ad above say that he replaced the rear caliper brake with an internal drum brake and that's where the cable is going?

That’s one of the many reasons this first year Krate is not a 10K bike.

[markinnaples]

I guess originality is everything with early Stingrays?

I used to collect early BMX bikes, and of course, all original ones were most sought after, we changed parts so often and so many were sold frame and fork only, that mismatched parts were no problem, as long as they were period-correct.

[Billohio]

Now on marketplace I am seeing all kinds of schwinn bikes lol.
A couple Krate’s that are less than half the orange one. A real nice pea picker showed up today.

[tom406]

MS Classics hit a home run listing a 6 bike Krate Collection on BringATrailer at no-reserve. Over $95,000 total.

[69M22Z]

That's wild!!! Great results!!!

[TimG]

I can't remember how much they were new, but that's quite a markup.

[SMS]

I can't remember how much they were new, but that's quite a markup.

I think the rates were $69 new. When regular stingrays were around $45.

[wayoutz]

very hard to believe. Life long hobby for me and never seen prices like that and they were restored bikes !!!

[60sStuff]

First year 5 speed Krate was 1968. These had no front fender.
Second year ‘69 of Krate now had a front fender.
Schwinn advertisements of both the ‘68 and ‘69 5 speed Krates shown.
These two years came with a color line Slik or Gripper Slik to match the bike color, very Kool !

As in most cases the early Super Cars and Muscle Cars of the 60’s are the hardest to find in nice “Unrestored Survivor” condition along with being the most expensive.

Same holds true for the Schwinn Stingrays, especially the early (63,64,65) models.
Factory Original Paint, seats, chrome and tires are paramount.

Here are some Originals with most having their dated born with tires.

[69M22Z]

Wow!!!!

[69M22Z]

Wow wow wow!!!

[tom406]

This is a good book if you want to read up on them. https://www.amazon.com/Schwinn-Sting-Ray-Bicycle-Books-Fried/dp/0933201885

It'll be obsoleted if Chris ever decides to write one, but until then, it's pretty good and not too expensive.

[olredalert]

----Whopper of a collection, Chris!....Bill S

[tom406]

This totally captures the aspirational vibe of a burgeoning young car guy in the early 70’s. “I can’t have that Camaro with Polyglas tires yet, but I can have THIS.” Goodyear saw it too.

[PeteLeathersac]

‘

You’re exactly right, I always wanted but never got Cheater Slicks like some Huffys also Sears bikes had.
Amazing where values are w/ a lot of Muscle bikes now although it’s somewhat understandable.
:beers:
~ Pete

.

[Lynn]

Not sure who made the rear cheater slick style tire on my Huffy Dragster II. Mark (the fellow who restored it) said it was the hardest part to source.

[Lynn]

Not sure why pics didn't load. Likely operator error.

[60sStuff]

NOS wrapped pair of 20” Goodyear Blue Streak Polyester bicycle tires.

Front - 20 x 1.75
Rear - 20 x 2.125 cheater slick

In 45 years of collecting Schwinn Stingrays I’ve never seen another set like this.

[69PostSSChevelle]

In 45 years of collecting Schwinn Stingrays I’ve never seen another set like this.[/QUOTE]

Chris,
How long have you had those? WOW!

RP

[mhm1966]

I had a Schwinn "LEMON PEELER" with a rear slick. I think it was a Goodyear but not positive.

[Burd]

A buddy had an Apple crate, I just had a $hitty Huffy. Did the the colored tires, anyone remember those.

[tom406]

The gateway drug before the white lettered muscle bike

[roadster]

One of two .

[Lynn]

A buddy had an Apple crate, I just had a $hitty Huffy. Did the the colored tires, anyone remember those.

Really? I bought my Huffy Dragster II because I liked it better than the Stingrays. The "crate" Stingrays must have not been marketed very well in Central OK; I don't ever remember seeing one as a kid in NW OKC.

[60sStuff]

The ultra rare and extremely expensive “Yellow Oval Slik”.

Back in April I was very fortunate and ecstatic to find an early Schwinn Stingray that I had been hunting for years.
My hunt was for a Unrestored Survivor 1964 Radiant Coppertone Standard, J38 model that would have been built with a Solo-Polo-Seat and the rare Yellow Oval Slik all mounted on the early desirable short frame.

After viewing a single photo of this bike for sale at a Southern California swap meet I was able to locate that seller and drive down south to make the deal a week later.
The only item changed over the years was that rear tire that was now a 1969 Carlisle Slik.
I just happened to have in my stash an awesome correct dated YOS to make this bike correct.
Fortunately the born with front Westwind tire was still there.

This K4 (Oct. 13, 1964) Stingray is Original paint, screens, decals and seat that still has its radiant glow after 61 years.

Numbers,
Date matched Goodyear made tires. Plus the OEM Dill 627 valve caps.
PERSONS made Solo-Polo-Seat.
Frame date / Fork date.
Crank date / Front axle date.
The dangerous spin block pedals (last year of this pedal use).

The SLIK.
This tire was first offered from Schwinn in August 1964 so this K4 is an early example.
Most of these tires have the yellow oval worn and faded, plus the word SLIK is not legible. This tire is in prime condition.

[PeteLeathersac]

‘

L:drool:VE it all but that Slik tire really puts things over the t:headbang:p!
Please share more of your bikes w/ us anytime.
:beers:
~ Pete

.

[60sStuff]

Cool history derived from the vintage decals on the seat tube.

I was able to research this Marty’s Bikes decal showing this ‘64 Stingray was a sold new Southern California bike back when this fabulous muscle bike was taking the country by storm.

[AnthonyS]

Very cool! Was it the Pomona (car) swap meet or just a “regular” swap meet?

[TimG]

What a great bike. My brothers was similar and stolen in Chicago in early 1965. It was a Christmas gift in December of '64. Same color and he had it about a month. Good bike locks had not been invented yet.......

[Burd]

Really? I bought my Huffy Dragster II because I liked it better than the Stingrays. The "crate" Stingrays must have not been marketed very well in Central OK; I don't ever remember seeing one as a kid in NW OKC.

Well, you need to see my huffy, when new it was nice. I found a pic, I’ll dig it out, I spray bombed it myself, it was terrible.

Here’s the pic, check out the cars in the background.

[Xplantdad]

Here's 1632 S La Cienega now... :beers:


286585

[Lynn]

Keep em coming. Love all the pics of bikes, slicks etc.

Burd: Sorry yours ended up that way. I have no idea what happened to mine after passing it down to my youngest bro. Probably traded it for some weed. Who knows.

[Burd]

That was a nice bike, mine wasn’t that. :drool:

[60sStuff]

‘

L:drool:VE it all but that Slik tire really puts things over the t:headbang:p!
Please share more of your bikes w/ us anytime.
:beers:
~ Pete

.

Yes, that Yellow Oval Slik speaks very loud in the early Stingray community.

[60sStuff]

Very cool! Was it the Pomona (car) swap meet or just a “regular” swap meet?

Oceanside swap meet.

[60sStuff]

What a great bike. My brothers was similar and stolen in Chicago in early 1965. It was a Christmas gift in December of '64. Same color and he had it about a month. Good bike locks had not been invented yet.......

Thank you Tim.

I grew up in Springfield Illinois and in the mid 60’s Stingrays were being stolen constantly. I never had my ‘66 stolen, but I heard of others that were taken.

For whatever reason my photos on this site tend to be dull. Other sites I post on, my photos are exactly the color in real life.
This ‘64 Coppertone pops in my photos and in person, but unfortunately not here 😟.

[PeteLeathersac]

‘

:beers:
~ Pete

.

[Lynn]

That was a nice bike, mine wasn’t that. :drool:

Looks like someone put a Schwinn seat on that Huffy bike. The Dragster II came with leopard print seat.

[60sStuff]

‘

:beers:
~ Pete

.

Holly ####.

You are amazing with your vintage adds.

This is way cool, Thank You!

[TimG]

I think it pops just fine ��