Schwinn Sting-Ray, the first years

[60sStuff]

This thread is dedicated to the early Schwinn Sting-Ray only, no off brands please.
If you happen to have a legitimate (63-73) Schwinn Sting-Ray example please share. Original paint Survivors are most welcome.

Anything that pertains to the 60’s is my desire.
It could be European made, or American made because that era was the best IMO.

An example of the best that took the bicycle world by storm was the Schwinn Sting-Ray introduced in May of 1963.
Schwinn engineers and designers took a gamble on this sporty Sting-Ray hoping it would sell. Needless to say they could not keep them in stock, sales records went through the roof.

I have a couple ‘63, but I will share the year of 1964 because that’s the year of all hands on deck for the first “full year” of the New Schwinn Sting-Ray.

Below is a cool ‘64 article in The Schwinn Reporter showing Bike Rite in El Monte California.

[Lynn]

I feel dissed. What about us poor kids who couldn't afford a Schwinn?

I am kidding of course, so hopefully no one is bent.

[60sStuff]

Here are a few of my 1964 Sting-Rays.
All are Original paint, screens, decals, seats, chrome and dated tires.

This Flamboyant Lime B4 (Feb. 1964) J38 has a couple day two items.
Leopard seat and Ball headlamp.

[60sStuff]

Two 1964 J39 Deluxe.
Opal Violet.
Flamboyant Lime.

[60sStuff]

J37-6 Opal Violet Super Deluxe.

[60sStuff]

J36-1 Sky Blue Super Deluxe.

[Crush]

Schwinn bikes bring back fond memories. My parents challenged me to get good school grades and I could get a Schwinn . I picked a blue 3 speed Sting Ray. Had a banana seat and tall sissy bar! I rode the heck out of that thing.

Would love to see your collection, looks awesome!

[John Brown]

In 1964 I had a Coppertone Stingray. Sadly, it was stolen.

[Mr70]

Ah to be 10 years old again with Saturday morning cartoons,teenage girls abundant in Halter tops & cut off shorts,and a Schwinn Stingray to call your own.

[169indy]

1968 Chevrolet SSRS, Bla, Bla , Bla-bla, Bla

1968 Schwinn (Campus Green) Orig Paint & Sturmey Archer-3 on the tree, replacement Goose neck and tires aka Gripper Slick:
Orig Family Owned since 1968 the Bikes, Yes a Pair identical! (Another Hanging in the Garage with Shippers sticker, Sold dealer: SPOKANE WA W/ orig Factory Tag "COLUMBIA CYCLE". They were bought by My Grandparents as Camper travel trailer Bikes.

& a Vintage Photo of my Brother & I in Calif, Simi Valley visiting a Auntie in 1974-sih (We were Heavily influenced by a Show TV called Happy Days.)


Yes they WERE!

[RPOLS3]

Our Original paint Stingray as shown in 2012 with the Chevelle at MCACN.

Initially it was mine, then Dave had it, then it went to a friend of the family, and years later we got it back when our son was born and he rode it for a while before out growing it. Had to source some replacement bits before MCACN but mostly original and lots of patina.

[cheveslakr]

Not sure if those "brick" front tires were used on any other make, but we always thought it was Schwinn only and since my oldest sister was the only one with a Schwinn, it wasn't cool. We boys had Huffy or Sears. That mentality all went caput later when they started showing up at school with gear shift levers on the top bar.....my we were embarrassingly trendy.

[wayoutz]

Yea some of us just never grew up. The Schwinn Krate was the muscle bike of our growing up and now. ( Just never grew up)

[dykstra]

Our Original paint Stingray as shown in 2012 with the Chevelle at MCACN.

Initially it was mine, then Dave had it, then it went to a friend of the family, and years later we got it back when our son was born and he rode it for a while before out growing it. Had to source some replacement bits before MCACN but mostly original and lots of patina.

I’d like to think I’m responsible for the majority of the patina.LOL:dunno:

[JRSully]

Stingray forks were the best for "choppers". Take the solid steel Stingray fork, slip cheesy hollow fork tubes over them, throw the front tire back, walla, chopper! Dangerous as hell but very cool looking

[60sStuff]

I feel dissed. What about us poor kids who couldn't afford a Schwinn.
I am kidding of course, so hopefully no one is bent.

Only thing bent are the forks on my Rays LOL.

I distinctly remember a deal that was offered to me from my parents, that I needed to pay half.
Mowing lawns, raking lawns, whatever it took to get a New Schwinn Sting-Ray.

Mission accomplished.

[PeteLeathersac]

Only thing bent are the forks on my Rays LOL.

I distinctly remember a deal that was offered to me from my parents, that I needed to pay half.
Mowing lawns, raking lawns, whatever it took to get a New Schwinn Sting-Ray.

Mission accomplished.

‘

Sounds like the good old world, pic below a good example of so many of us here…
:beers:
~ Pete

.

[muscle_collector]

i fell in love with the krate bikes when they came out. a kid a couple of years older than me got the first one i ever saw in person and it was a lemon peeler. i had to have one and a couple of years later was able to buy a cotton picker with the disc brakes. i was so excited. my dad was really pissed off at me for wasting my money. he wouldnt ever buy anything for me, but would offer me the ability to work for anything i wanted. so i had to be the most excited kid on the planet and get it home jump on it run down to my best friends house 3 doors down and he has a black regular stingray. we race and he blows my pedals away. i was absolutely deflated. my dad proceeds to explain to me that not only did i waste my money but failed to research my purchase. he said you are just a show off (guess i always was) and fell for the flashy look. then explained why the bike was so much slower because all of my energy of pushing those pedals as hard and fast as i could was all absorbed in the shock system. i was really mad and parked the bike after riding it to school (to show off of course). i went back to riding my put together huffy bike until i saved enough money to buy one without the shock system. kept it for a few years and sold it to a guy for what i paid for it.

[cheveslakr]

^^^^^ There's so much nuance in your story. I'd bet the majority of us, given the chance as younguns would never ask our dad's opinion before a major purchase...lol.

[TimG]

I had a Campus Green Stingray all through grade school. We came home for lunch each day, so it went to and from twice on the one mile trip. It had a mouse trap on the front to hold my books. What a blast. I gave it away when I was a lifeguard at Niles Park District Pool when I was in college, some kid needed a bike and I gave him my Stingray......

[60sStuff]

The first 3 years (1963-1965) of the Sting-Ray production are the most sought after and toughest to find in any condition especially the minty Survivors with their correct factory components.

To expanding on the above the (May ‘63 - March ‘65), basically 2 years, used the short frame. These bikes looked the coolest opposed to the long frame starting in April 1965.

My B4 (February ‘64) Lime shows some wear/patina and fun use by someone in it’s 60 year existence.
Whoever owned this bike no doubt stored it in a garage, shed or somewhere out of the sun as it still has its deep paint glow that Schwinn applied only on the early Sting-Rays.
The 1968-1973 Schwinn Krates had a different paint process that were dull by comparison.

One of the Day 2 items on this Lime is the Ball Type Lamp.
I have a few NOS boxed units, but the working Lamp on this B4 has the perfect patina to match the bike and the seat.

Check out those vintage RAY-O-VAC batteries.

[69M22Z]

Cool!!!

[TimG]

My older got a brand-new Stingray for Christmas 1963 when he was in seventh grade. It took about two weeks before it was stolen from grade school.

[60sStuff]

My older got a brand-new Stingray for Christmas 1963 when he was in seventh grade. It took about two weeks before it was stolen from grade school.

Unfortunately this was VERY Common with the Sting-Rays.
These bikes were extremely popular, expensive and every boy wanted one.
I have to admit a friend of mine that I hung out with as 10-12 year old says to me one day …. Chris let’s go to the woods as he (Ray) had something to show me.
Buried under a bush was a Sting-Ray he stole.
Needless to say I was shocked as I owned a Violet Sting-Ray at the time and I’m sure I felt sorry for the kid that just lost his.

If these bikes could only talk just like our cars …. their stories would be priceless.

[60sStuff]

Back to that early Day 2 B4 Flam Lime.

Mr. Robert (Bob) Persons of PERSONS-MAJESTIC MFG. CO. was the source of the seats/saddles Schwinn used for the seats on the Sting-Rays.

My B4 as it would have looked coming out of the Schwinn factory in Chicago with a white Polo-Seat.
Today it has a slightly worn Day 2 leopard seat made by PERSONS.

Unpacking one of my 1964 NOS units with its seat strut. PERSONS made the white Polo Seat for factory installation and also made numerous other colors and grain for the custom look.

Leopard on the Lime showing the PERSONS tag. Also a vintage Amber reflector replaces the stock Red reflector.

[muscle_collector]

60s stuff thank you for your information and pics. i love the old bikes but am not any kind of an expert on them. you mentioned the different frame lengths, i have never known this. how much longer were they and can you tell a difference easily? any chance you have a picture of each one side by side? thanks

[60sStuff]

60s stuff thank you for your information and pics. i love the old bikes but am not any kind of an expert on them. you mentioned the different frame lengths, i have never known this. how much longer were they and can you tell a difference easily? any chance you have a picture of each one side by side? thanks

Good question.

The “shorty” Sting-Ray frame (May ‘63 - March ‘65) had a noticeable arch/curve in the top tube, whereas the long frame (April ‘65 and beyond) had a flatter top tube.
The D4 Terra Cotta shorty and a DA Sky Blue ‘65 long frame.
Also another very noticeable difference is the distance from the back of the seat tube to the rear frame bridge is 1 inch.

The forks and chainguard did not change. Their design and measurements stayed the same for both frames.
I hope that helps when identifying the early shorty Sting-Rays.

[Tenney]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3W50hGEs5JE

[muscle_collector]

thanks i never knew that.

[muscle_collector]

are the stingray junior bikes worth anything?

[60sStuff]

are the stingray junior bikes worth anything?

Not so much on the junior bikes.

It’s mostly the 10 year span (63-73) of the full size Sting-Ray.
Being more specific are the most sought after and expensive 63-65 short frame, then the jump to 68-73 5 speed Krate models.

[60sStuff]

The price of a “1963 Corvette Stingray” SW has increased exponentially just as the “1963 Schwinn Sting-Ray”.

Yes, I’m comparing apples to oranges here, but the above comparison is true.

A very nice Original paint Survivor ‘63 Schwinn Sting-Ray with all its factory correct components is paramount in the Sting-Ray hobby.

The important telltale items that all the 1963 1/2 Sting-Rays were built with are listed below.
1) The short frame.
2) Persons Solo-Polo saddle.
3) Non-crimp seat strut (at the 2 seat bolts).
4) 36 spoke center stamp S-2 rear wheel.
5) 28 spoke center stamp S-7 front wheel.
6) Small deluxe head set (small bearing with small chrome adjusting cone).

The last photo shows a ‘65 Radiant Coppertone with the revised larger head set that’s not as clean as the ‘63 early set.
In post #4 my H4 Lime also shows this revised head set, plus the new stronger “crimped” seat strut.

I’ve been on the hunt for an Original ‘63 Survivor in Coppertone for decades to join my H3 and L3.
Any leads will be rewarded.

[muscle_collector]

what year did they start putting fenders on them?

[60sStuff]

what year did they start putting fenders on them?

Chrome fenders - November 1963.

The first 6 months (May ‘63 - Oct. ‘63) of this New experimental Sting-Ray only one model was offered. The J38 Standard.

This J38 came in 3 colors.
No fenders.
Black wall tires.
Smooth Polo Saddle.
Small rear reflector.
White screened letters on chainguard.

Starting in mid November ‘63 Schwinn now offered a second model Sting-Ray.
The J39 Deluxe

This J39 was offered in 3-4 colors.
Chrome fenders.
Whitewall tires.
Deluxe tufted Polo Saddle.
Large rear reflector.
White “reverse screen” letters on chainguard.

Advertisement and Catalog are from 1964.
The Sting-Ray was never advertised in the 1963 Schwinn catalogs.
Only the small leaflets announced the 1963 1/2 Sting-Ray.

[John Brown]

Pretty pictures of three early 63 colors.

https://thecabe.com/forum/threads/1963-schwinn-stingray-originals-line-up-all-3-colors.98443/

[60sStuff]

Pretty pictures of three early 63 colors.

https://thecabe.com/forum/threads/1963-schwinn-stingray-originals-line-up-all-3-colors.98443/

The CABE, the Best Bicycle site on the internet.

Those bikes belong to Tom Mault of Virginia.
The Coppertone is Original paint, not sure about the other two as the photos aren’t the clearest.

[60sStuff]

The Super Deluxe is considered the king of Sting-Rays and the most sought after and expensive.
This S/D model was introduced in July 1964 and lasted till the end of 1966.

This M4 (Nov. 20, 1964) Radiant Sky Blue J36-1 S/D is one of the favorites in my collection.
It’s 100% factory Original paint, screens/decals, seat, chrome and both dated tires.

The cherry on top is the Overdrive 2-speed Automatic rear hub.
This Bendix Overdrive Blueband was a new option at the start of 1965 and designed for the Sting-Ray only.
Just like the automobile, at the end of a year you may see Nov./Dec. models having the next year offerings.
Such is the case with this very late ‘64 S/D having the New ‘65 option Blueband hub.

The model number J36-1 designates Black wall tires (Yellow Oval Slik) and 2-speed Automatic rear hub. The Best of both worlds when it comes to the early Sting-Rays.

Some Great advertising from Bendix used for this rear hub.

[Crush]

The Super Deluxe is considered the king of Sting-Rays and the most sought after and expensive.
This S/D model was introduced in July 1964 and lasted till the end of 1966.

This M4 (Nov. 20, 1964) Radiant Sky Blue J36-1 S/D is one of the favorites in my collection.
It’s 100% factory Original paint, screens/decals, seat, chrome and both dated tires.

The cherry on top is the Overdrive 2-speed Automatic rear hub.
This Bendix Overdrive Blueband was a new option at the start of 1965 and designed for the Sting-Ray only.
Just like the automobile, at the end of a year you may see Nov./Dec. models having the next year offerings.
Such is the case with this very late ‘64 S/D having the New ‘65 option Blueband hub.

The model number J36-1 designates Black wall tires (Yellow Oval Slik) and 2-speed Automatic rear hub. The Best of both worlds when it comes to the early Sting-Rays.

Some Great advertising from Bendix used for this rear hub.


How long have you owned this one and when did you start collecting.
The Schwinn by dad bought me in 68/69 was this color with the 3 spd shifter. Do you have any of those?

[TimG]

This thread is great. I had a Campus Green Stingray with full size tires, five speed and no fenders. Who needed stinking fenders in Chicago.

[60sStuff]

How long have you owned this one and when did you start collecting.
The Schwinn by dad bought me in 68/69 was this color with the 3 spd shifter. Do you have any of those?

Crush,
I purchase this Sky Blue M4 S/D a couple years ago along with a BA Opal Violet S/D.

An old Schwinn Stingray collector friend of mine needed money for a Porsche 356 resto he is doing.

I’ve been collecting these Stingrays for about 30 years.

No 68/69 shifter bikes in my collection. I try to lean towards the early bikes.

Thanks, Chris

[Z28Project]

Here's my Sting-Ray I got new in 1967 for my 11th B'Day. All original except for tires and seat. I believe the rear seat bracket is the original, but I did have a couple of different sissy bars on it in the late 60s. Not in particularly great shape I guess, but it's still around after all these years and I still get it out and ride it.

John

[muscle_collector]

no idea if he has any bargains

https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/1403468010327151

[60sStuff]

Here's my Sting-Ray I got new in 1967 for my 11th B'Day. All original except for tires and seat. I believe the rear seat bracket is the original, but I did have a couple of different sissy bars on it in the late 60s. Not in particularly great shape I guess, but it's still around after all these years and I still get it out and ride it.

John

Hi John,
Thanks for chiming in with your Sting-Ray.

You will find a stamped serial number on the LH rear axle drop out.
Two letters - first letter is the month, second is the year.

Here is my 100% factory Original Sky Blue 1968 Deluxe Sting-Ray.
This bike was never ridden.
OEM dated tires are like new.

Your seat, seat strut and tires are the items I see that are incorrect.

[cheveslakr]

Wow, crazy memory just popped up.......and correct me please if I'm confused, but I remember as a very young "mechanic" working on these bikes, that Schwinn used an 11/16" rear axle nut, while all the other bikes we had seem to have 5/8", be it Sears, Wards, Huffy or whatever. Somehow this didn't sit well with me, I thought they were big and dopey looking......totally silly, but had to share.

[TimG]

Those are two great bikes. John, we're nearly the same age and I find it incredible that you still have your Schwinn Sting-Ray. I wish I still had mine......

[Z28Project]

TimG, Yes I'm fortunate to still have it. I'd say more luck than planning. Many times over the years it could have easily been rolled out for one of many rummage sales, etc., but somehow it's still here.

[Z28Project]

Hi John,
Thanks for chiming in with your Sting-Ray.

You will find a stamped serial number on the LH rear axle drop out.
Two letters - first letter is the month, second is the year.

Here is my 100% factory Original Sky Blue 1968 Deluxe Sting-Ray.
This bike was never ridden.
OEM dated tires are like new.

Your seat, seat strut and tires are the items I see that are incorrect.

My gosh that 68 looks incredible!! Just like mine when new. I do recall mine having white walls too when new. I see the big difference in the seat strut. I need to convert mine back to stock for much easier seat height adjustments. Would make it easier for when my grand kids start riding bikes.

Here's a pic of my serial number. Looks like MB or MR, not sure.

[60sStuff]

That is an MB = Dec. 1966.
Basically a new 1967.

The slider strut is what your MB should have.
This strut was first introduced around Nov. 1965.