Schwinn Stingray, muscle bike.

[Keith Seymore]

Originally Posted by 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.

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).

[markinnaples]

Originally Posted by Keith Seymore

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.

[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

[60sStuff]

Originally Posted by 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

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.

[firstgenaddict]

Originally Posted by Keith Seymore

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]

Originally Posted by firstgenaddict

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/

[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

[flyingn]

simply breathtaking..

Originally Posted by 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.

[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