Schwinn Sting-Ray, the first years

[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]

Originally Posted by 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.

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]

Originally Posted by 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

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?