Schwinn Sting-Ray, the first years

[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...03468010327151

[60sStuff]

Originally Posted by 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

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]

Originally Posted by 60sStuff

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.

[60sStuff]

Recent rare find.
If you like Factory Original of something from the 1960’s then check out this example of a 61 year old Schwinn Stingray parked for decades.

Serial# BA = Feb. 1965 J39-6 short frame Flamboyant Lime with Original paint, screens, decals, seat, chrome and OEM dated tires.
Just like the text in the auction says “unwashed, unrestored, still covered in dust”.
Tires have held full air for months which tells of the quality of the tubes used in a vintage Schwinn bicycle.
It’s very rare to find a Stingray like this one that no one has cleaned or changed anything.


Original electric green paint ….. not LOL.
Actually this paint is called Flamboyant Lime which is the most sought after Stingray color by collectors. 1965 was the last year Schwinn offered this awesome color.

A few “day 2” items installed within a year of build. Front reflector, small rear reflector, red reflective tape on seat strut and handlebar.
Also 1966 pull down fastback style bars were added.

Everything is lowered on this bike (high loop strut, seat post, stem with handlebar) along with the pull down bars obviously for ease of a small kid to ride.

I have a thing for vintage Decals / Stickers on anything old as it tells history / stories.
This ‘65 Lime Stingray was sold new in Duluth, Minnesota.

PS, this bike will stay just how I received it with decades of dust.

[69M22Z]

Wow!!! That's so cool!!!