Manta ray find! Super clean 84 predator!

[charliechaindrive]

Okay, there's the ray rat as I found it, and I am talking to a guy with a super clean 84 schwinn predator. He's wanting 350$ for the predator, so I was wondering if anyone had a idea of what to ask for cash on a trade? The predator is nice...

[pkh1974]

Looks like you got a good start.
Your seat is wrong. Manta Rays had wide goofy looking banana seats which should be yellow with a black stripe.
Your tires are 24 X 1 3/8 I believe.
Good luck with this bike. It should be pretty cool when all done.
Here's one on ebay.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/1971-Schwinn-Ma ... 3a77b1740f

[tin machine]

that is a major score !!!!! i said score , it is worth some serious cash my friend

[charliechaindrive]

My dad asks, how much is serious?

[charliechaindrive]

Soapy water and a green scotchbrite pad took every speck of rust off the fender's and didn't dog the chrome

[tin machine]

i am no expert , but i have scored alot of bikes in the last 4 to5 years hundreds of bikes !!! many vintage schwinns, not bragging and i have never laid eyes on one in person only seen pictures , i believe it should have a banana seat on it ? but just guessing i think it would easly bring 1000 dollars or more , i am sure somebody on this site knows !!! but wow that is a sweet sweet score !!!!!

My dad asks, how much is serious?

[ChicagoMuscle Guy]

Tin Machine is right this my friend this is a major score. I am so jealous wish my Boss had cool stuff like this. Manta's were low production compared to Stingrays. I have seen ones like yours sell on eBay for $500 to $700, super clean originals $1000 to about $1500, silver color being the most rare. Yes it should have the special Manta Banana seat which are rare to find and not usually cheap. I have seen photos of some with regular Banana seats, they work fine and look ok. I personally have only seen Manta rays in person at Kratefest in the bike shops Museum. Good luck and enjoy your treasure.

[MBblue6]

I honestly just see a $200 -$300 bike there. IMO. Great find. If you had the seat in any shape you could add at least $125 to the price. Thanks, Matt

[charliechaindrive]

Holey crap!!

[Nickinator]

Nice score man!

[charliechaindrive]

This bike is awesome! And how would I go about removing the rear tire to replace the tube? To fix the tire, I'm going to glue half of the old tube to the inside of the tire. (I've done it before, works well) the tire is cracked around the side wall, and it's a slick. The front tire is shot, the bead broke so I'll half to but a new tire for it.

[charliechaindrive]

I'm talking to a guy, and he has a super clean and complete 84 schwinn predator. Pic of it in a second. I'm wondering what would be a good price for my manta ray to sell it? I've cleaned it up, and put new cables on it. He wants 350 for the predator, so what ammount of cash + the predator would be a good deal for both of us? HELP!

[charliechaindrive]

[outskirtscustoms]

I'd start at $400 + predator you can always go down but that manta would be the prize of someone's collection. Those predators are a dime a dozen. The condition is great but not that rare.

[CRASH]

If you detailed and tuned up that Manta, and put the correct seat, or at least a good naner on it, you could get a lot from it on Ebay, then you could buy that or any BMX bike outright if you wanted, plus have cash on top. I'm just saying it sounds like you have quite the find in the Manta, and I wouldn't want you to waste it.