Schwinn Stingray, muscle bike.

[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

[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.

[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.

[60sStuff]

Originally Posted by Burd

Paint looks off, that’s all.

The paint is not off.

It’s the Factory “Sunset” Orange which is darker and Not red.

The Orange Krate you show in post #5 is called “Kool” Orange, which is a lighter color used on 1968 - 1972 Orange Krates.

Below shows the difference between my ‘73 color and two others.

The ‘71 Apple Krate and ‘72 Orange Krate are not mine.

[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

[60sStuff]

Besides the Banana seats, high handle bars, shifter, springer and seat strut shocks, there is the cool brake system that Schwinn used on the Krates.

Front Atom “drum” brake (68-73).
Rear “disc” brake (late ‘71-73).

Close up of the front Atom drum and factory replacement shoes (bonded, not riveted).

The rear disc brake shown here is a late 1971 unit (4-71) and is extremely difficult to find.

Chris.

[njsteve]

My 1970 Raleigh Chopper back when I got it in Summer 1970 and after I restored it around 15 years ago.

[60sStuff]

This is the other Krate bike I still own.
An (HF) = Aug. 1970 “PEA PICKER”.

At one time 25+ years ago I had all the Krate bikes, but have reduced that down to the above Sunset Orange and this Pea.

This Krate is also 100% factory Original including the Campus Green paint and it’s born with dated tires.

I found this bike hanging in an old Schwinn dealer in San Francisco covered in dust.
It took a few years before they would sell it to me, but it was worth it.

The paint on this bike shows a slight marble which is beautiful, that only comes with age.

A few options such as the speedometer and tail light add to the classic look of the Krates.

My taste for the Stingrays moved toward the early (63-66) models after I sold off the other Krates.

[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