65/66 J33 Stingray

[madsapper]

Billed as a 68 missing parts, I bought it for the springer for a Grey Ghost project. When I got it home, imagine my surprise the springer is shorter than my krates (and the AS bolts). Bars say Schwinn, but no date stamp, gooseneck is a 66, I haven't pulled the sprocket and crank yet. Seat is wrong, but allows me to ride it. Serial Number is: A 25405. Frame is the same as my 71 Ghost. Any Idea what year?

 

[MBblue6]

From what I remember reading on the old Schwinn page in early 66 which the A means January the B(66) was not stamped. So I would say it is a January of 66. Nice find. What are your plans for it? If it is for sale let me know. Thanks

 

[madsapper]

Found a site that shows that, 27 Jan 66 to be exact. Not sure what I am doing with it yet. Thanks!

 

[pkh1974]

The serial number doesn't work for a stingray. My guess is someone took an earlier 20" frame from a typhoon then built it up to look like a stingray which was the thing to do back in the day. Nice find. 20" springers are hard to find.

 

[rfeagleye]

Nice find. I remember reading that too a while back, about the missing letter. Looks like that would clean up pretty well, just need a guard. Congrats!

 

[madsapper]

I found a couple sites that reference the missing code:
( 1966. )
Date ----------------- Serial #`s From --------------------- To
01/24 -------------------- A11111 -------------------- A15412
01/25 -------------------- A15413 -------------------- A19954
01/26 -------------------- A19955 -------------------- A23566
01/27 -------------------- A23567 -------------------- A28010
01/28 -------------------- A29011 -------------------- A31157
01/31 -------------------- B11111 -------------------- B14602
02/01 -------------------- B14603 -------------------- B15761

Every part (I checked the crank) is dated 66, so I am leaning toward this conclusion. Otherwise the frame is a 1953...

 

[B607]

If that is factory coppertone paint then it can't be a '53. Looks like a '66 to me. Gary