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]

Originally Posted by 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.

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]

Originally Posted by 60sStuff

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…

~ 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.

[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!