$2 Stingray

[jerrykr]

Picked this one up at a garage sale for the princely sum of 2 bucks. Hauled it home sticking out of the trunk of my Miata.

As it arrived at DFWland Central. Kind of cool in it's very ratty-ness, but my plans did not involve leaving it as-is(was). No serial number anywhere on the frame, but it's definitely a Schwinn. Leads me to believe it may have had a checkered past!

So, my friend and fellow photographer extrodinaire Dane Tessler loaded up the bike for a photo shoot in Grapevine, TX. Grapevine runs an excursion tourist train over to the Ft Worth Stockyards. They used to pull the train with a Steam Locomotive named "Puffy". Puffy seems to be undergoing some serious renovations lately, so we are hoping that it can once again take to the tracks to Ft Worth instead of the diesel currently pulling the cars. I'd love to once again hear the steam whistle from my backyard. This locomotive is not Puffy, it is an extreme example of "yard art", and probably will never again move under it's own power. Anyway, Dane got a great shot of 771 with my Stingray.

And finally another shot of me on the SR by my great friend Dane.

Hope you enjoyed looking at the bike and your quick visit to Grapevine, TX.
.

 

[KJV]

looked best in the before picture.
looks like a little girls bicycle now.

 

[Robeast]

I would have rode it like it was. The Altoids battery box is very cool. You did a good job on the conversion.

 

[herr_rudolf]

Amazing makeover!
It looks like new. I just think the seat doesn't belong. It looks a bit big... A bananaseat plus some big apes are the way to go on such a small bike if it's going to be used by an adult. Just to take it out of the kidsbike-cattegorie. imho.

But I agree: The lines on the $2,- version are close to perfect...

Still, it's a nice save. Well done.

 

[Lonewolf]

I would be interested in buying the bike with the original parts, rusted seat brace and all, if you would be willing to sell.

 

[jerrykr]

Thanks for the comments all.

The $2 version looks a lot better than it was. It was a real mess. I had to replace the front wheel, as the bearing hubs were cracked and thrashed. I originally planned to recover the banana seat and use it, but it is rusted beyond repair. The sissy bar is broken and rusted out. I put the white seat on just to do a test ride, and liked it. I may still go for a banana seat if I find the right one. In the mean time, I think I'll make a lay back seat post for it. I rounded up the 13/16 bar stock last week-end.

Glad you like the battery box. Radio Shack battery holder snaps right in. Cost me about $3 total since I already had the slide switch.

 

[Lonewolf]

Thanks for accepting the constructive criticism so graciously.

Trust me, it hurts me more than you.

 

[Rat Rod]

I think there are a couple of things going on with this bike. First, the Sting-Ray just happens to be one of those iconic bikes that has a special place in the hearts of most folks out there. The seat and the handlebars are really what set it apart from most 20" bikes. Once you take those two defining parts away you sort of lose the classic look.

Now, that being said, what Jerry did with this bike is no different than what most folks here do during a build off or their own project. The main difference is that most folks are working on 26" bikes and not 20 inchers. The thing I think that is sticking in people's craws so to speak is that with all of the newer parts on the bike, it resembles the newer 20" bikes that we all kick over to get to the 26" bikes out there. In particular the white Comp III tread 20" tires really scream Wal-Mart kids bike.

It really all comes down to personal preference. Some folks love the weathered original patina look and others love the freshly painted custom look. My guess is that this bike was headed for the scrap pile so as long as Jerry had a good time fixing it up and is happy with the end results I say it was a successful build.

If it were mine, I'd hunt down some white walls, a white glitter banana seat and some tall wide apes and call it done. :wink:

 

[jerrykr]

Yeah, I was looking for whitewalls and not being too successful, so just ordered the whites. Other than the new front wheel, lights and grips, everything else subscribed to the "use what you have lying around" mentality. A bike is never actually finished, right?

BTW: the orange paint is Chevrolet engine orange, a color I always liked.

 

[Gold Street Customs]

I think it looks great, I especially like the Altoids light, If it were mine, I would have to do something different with the tires and bars, but its not , so I will just appreciate the effort the owner put into it, good job :!:

 

[herr_rudolf]

Some of these pics look surreal. Look at the ones with the bike in front of the trainwheels. They seem to be black and white, execpt for the the orange accents. It pops! Good choice by the way. Orange makes it just that bit more 'special' than the usual red.

 

[jerrykr]

Thanks herr-rudolf, that pre-sunset light really surprised me when it happened. I had just found the rusty trucks back behind a caboose, and thought they might make a good background, when the clouds parted just enough. I did pull the levels down a bit in Photoshop, but not all that much, the color saturation is pretty much natural. Just one of those photos that "happens".

 

[mesome]

I think a few people forgot that this site is called "RatRodBikes.com" not "KeepThingsOriginal.com" :wink:

Yeah, I was looking for whitewalls and not being too successful, so just ordered the whites. Other than the new front wheel, lights and grips, everything else subscribed to the "use what you have lying around" mentality. A bike is never actually finished, right?

BTW: the orange paint is Chevrolet engine orange, a color I always liked.

Nice job Jerry! I agree that whitewalls would be a good choice if you ever get your hands on some, but other than that I think it's fine the way it is. That color of orange is a favorite of mine as well.

 

[herr_rudolf]

Thanks herr-rudolf, that pre-sunset light really surprised me when it happened. I had just found the rusty trucks back behind a caboose, and thought they might make a good background, when the clouds parted just enough. I did pull the levels down a bit in Photoshop, but not all that much, the color saturation is pretty much natural. Just one of those photos that "happens".

that pic is cool too, but I meant the other pics. With the bike in front of that big ol' engine. It looks like if the only color on it is the orange of your bike.

Ofcourse, also that sunsetlighting is absolutely special, and someone did push the button on the right moment.

 

[SCHWINNRAY69]

Cool bike I'm more for a banana seat and ape hangers though :roll: Anyway, the bike looks brand new, I also like your altoid box light thingy :mrgreen: Glad you saved that sweet bike :wink:
Nick :mrgreen:

 

[Social Reject]

Your Altoid box RULES!

 

[jerrykr]

Thanks to you all. You got me thinking too, of course.

Don't forget, that really the only thing that I changed that can't be reversed is the paint, and the seat that I tried to repair, but It is rusted beyond any salvage, but a replacement banana seat could be found.

I kind of look at it that I got the bike at some chapter long away from it's origin as a Schwinn Stingray, and I'm just adding my own new chapter and keeping it alive in the process. I'm just another kid in it's history adding my own customizations. There are tons of Stingray bikes out there with that look, but I don't necessarily follow anybody else's look. I don't mind creating my own. Mine may work, may not! YMMV.

The original paint could not be reversed, so my choice to make it look rat rod in paint is just that, a choice of my own.

Again, thanks for all your kind comments. If I can help you build the Altoids battery box for your own creations, just ask. There a a number of small details that may not be apparent in the pictures. Be sure to get a light that has a 6 volt bulb, as that Radio Shack AA battery holder fits right in the tin.

 

[user 135]

Nice work and nice pics

 

[karfer67]

again well taken criticism it is a tough thing to take after u build a bike but i have been there as well. there is nothing wrong with what u did u found a claped out ray and brought it back. i can appreciate what u did with it even if no it is not my style look up route 66 on here and u will find my 66 ray under the gallery. i do agree that some apes and a nanner seat would help it out though

 

[schwinnmesa]

Looks great! Love it! :mrgreen: