Bicentennial tribute

[32fenderless]

I purchased this Schwinn from a now deceased Hot Rod friend. It’s been hanging in the back of my shop for 10 years or so.
I recently built up an old 24” Schwinn that was in my Grandpa’s shed as a tribute to the bike I had as a child 40 years ago.
I’ve caught the bug again and am having a blast doing it. I like the instant satisfaction as I usually build hot rods.
I believe this to be a ‘57 with an earlier chain guard and a repaint at some time in its past.

The plan is to build a tribute to the Bicentennial Stingrays.

 

[OddJob]

Dig the hot rod style rat build! Welcome to the BO, @32fenderless looking forward to your build.

Rat oN~!

 

[metalchewy]

Love those apes. One of my favorite styled apes.

Cool start.

 

[Funkme]

Something cool about this bike, maybe the bars...

 

[The Renaissance Man]

I had to google Bicentennial Stingray. Looks like a good match to start with!

 

[Shrunken_Head_Pedaler]

I purchased this Schwinn from a now deceased Hot Rod friend. It’s been hanging in the back of my shop for 10 years or so.
I recently built up an old 24” Schwinn that was in my Grandpa’s shed as a tribute to the bike I had as a child 40 years ago.
I’ve caught the bug again and am having a blast doing it. I like the instant satisfaction as I usually build hot rods.
I believe this to be a ‘57 with an earlier chain guard and a repaint at some time in its past.

The plan is to build a tribute to the Bicentennial Stingrays.View attachment 229950

Excited to see this one in progress! I attempted to do the same with last years bike build off. Mine was more of a pig bike with stingray-ish stylings. This is a 59’

 

[Pondo]

The plan is to build a tribute to the Bicentennial Stingrays.

That's going to be awesome. I love those bars!

 

[32fenderless]

I’m usually not a reflector guy. But thought this would fit the build. One of my first purchases.

 

[kingfish254]

Love those swept apes. I remember when everything was red white and blue bicentennial, especially bikes. This should be fun.

 

[LukeTheJoker]

Very cool.

 

[rickpaulos]

For inspiration or ideas. My 2020 RRBBO. (with my 2019 RRBBO Undeniably Irish). Both are 24" wheels on 26" frames.

IMO, Schwinn blew it by not offering the Bicenntenial option in more models. Sting Ray & Varsity weren't enough. Why not a Paramount or Super Sport or tandems, etc. I hope the owners of Schwinn will issue some better models in 2026 for USA's semiquincentennial (1/2 500) or sestercentennials (2.5 x 100s) or bicenquinquagenary (20 x 500, that's just wrong Princeton) or what ever term becomes popular.

my 2020 build thread here:
https://ratrodbikes.com/threads/a-missing-schwinn.111039/

 

[32fenderless]

I knew I wanted the fat and skinny look. My bike would definitely need to have the correct stance. I bought a 24x2.125 coaster brake wheel from Modern Bike and a Jerald Sulky slick. The front I found a 24x1 1/4 NOS Femco front wheel and outfitted it with a new tire.

 

[ingola]

I've been fixing photos as you go full image is much easier to view here's how

before you post photos, click on them and you will see a tab that says full size photo. Click that when you add pics. Otherwise it makes it harder for us to see your photos because they appear as tiny thumbnail pics

He explained it so well

 

[Jude Ephesus]

I purchased this Schwinn from a now deceased Hot Rod friend. It’s been hanging in the back of my shop for 10 years or so.
I recently built up an old 24” Schwinn that was in my Grandpa’s shed as a tribute to the bike I had as a child 40 years ago.
I’ve caught the bug again and am having a blast doing it. I like the instant satisfaction as I usually build hot rods.
I believe this to be a ‘57 with an earlier chain guard and a repaint at some time in its past.

The plan is to build a tribute to the Bicentennial Stingrays.View attachment 229950

Everyone needs a red, white and blue bike!

 

[32fenderless]

Does anyone have an 18” banana seat that won’t break my wallet? Cover doesn’t matter as I’m going to recover anyways. I’d love to have the Persons optional seat but it isn’t in the budget for this project.
Below is a pic of the new wheels mocked up.

 

[32fenderless]

This is the seat I’d like. But think I can recover and old seat using some men’s swim trunks and get close enough to the look I’m after.

 

[The Renaissance Man]

The tires and wheels look great!

 

[user 35233]

This is the seat I’d like. But think I can recover and old seat using some men’s swim trunks and get close enough to the look I’m after.
View attachment 230491View attachment 230509

Great idea. Thats gonna be tough fit. Breaking out the sewing machine?

 

[32fenderless]

Yeah.

Great idea. Thats gonna be tough fit. Breaking out the sewing machine?

I’ve got a buddy that’s done auto upholstery for 30 years. I think we can get it looking right.

 

[32fenderless]

Borrowed this seat from my yard art Stingray. I’m thinking I shouldn’t have let this stingray sit outside so long. The bike is pretty crusty. Anyways I’m pretty happy with the direction it’s going.