Recent content by RideMC3

Oh, and I can see I have found my new procrastination vehicle. Thanks for this rabbit hole... Anyone else on Instagram? I'm @kimhcross

OMG, are you serious? How is that even possible? Okay... tell me about the three lights, and the component that is attached to the front fender, that puts those chrome bars out front? And the noose on the sissy bar?

Odder, that is quite an impressive quiver! And what a project in that next one. What makes you look at a bike like that and see hope? I wonder if the guy you bought it from knows the story. Would be cool to reach out if you don't mind sharing the username (or, would it be better form for you to...

madsapper, that's a fabulous story! It so reminds me of the Red Ryder BB gun in A Christmas Story! Of COURSE the toughest kid on the block was named Frankie. That's too perfect. Would you and Joe be willing to tell me more on the phone? So that was the bike that got you into restoring? How did...

Crash, I checked out your restoration thread, and that is truly AMAZING! I can hardly believe the difference between before and after. And the photos of your daughter riding it -- wow. What a cool thing you did, and awesome that she appreciates it. Really makes me want to try at least cleaning...

This is really amazing! I had no idea you could bring paint and chrome back like this. Makes me want to try my hand at the Fair Lady (same bike!) I found in the Trips for Kids recyclery. I'm afraid of messing it up though. And I don't have the wrenching skills. Is Dawn really all you used to...

Hi again. Still a newbie but grateful to the RadRod members who helped me with a story about a Vista Torino. In my research on the Torino, I discovered and fell in love with the story of the Sting-Ray. I love how it was not created by adults or the bike industry, but by KIDS in their quest for...

Can anyone help me with names of other Schwinn Sting-Ray knockoffs that were around in 1968?

I'm so glad you pointed that out! I was thinking it was a three-speed that had been converted to singlespeed, but this clearly makes more sense. Do you think it's safe to conclude the Vista Torino came out in 1968? That's the year the Ford Torino debuted, and the ad I bought was labeled (on...

Hey Crash, thanks for the info! This is helpful. I bought a few Vista ads off eBay, and it looks like you're exactly right, they came in 3-speed and 5-speed models. My guess is the Vista Torino 400 with the Stik-shift came about around 1968, after Schwinn added this feature to the Sting-Ray...

Hi there! I'm new to this forum but a rider of bikes of all stripes (MTB, road, CX, cruiser, BMX). I'm amazed by the bikes and restorations here -- makes me want to get my hands greasy. I'm also a freelance writer, working on a feature story for Bicycling magazine about a 1970s Vista Torino...

Hi there. I'm a newbie on the forum, looking for an expert on Vista Torino restorations. I'm a freelance writer, working on a story for Bicycling magazine about a Vista Torino 400 restored by a prison-based bike recyclery. Really neat story, really awesome bike (my avatar pic). It went to an...