Coppertone Stingray - Fair Offer?

[slacker]

What is a fair offer on a '69 Coppertone 'Ray? I'm buying, not selling.

Boy's frame, 2 speed. It is in 4 (?) out of 10 condition. The bikes pictured are in similar condition. Seller wants around $250? Won't settle on a price.

 

[karfer67]

did they still do the 2 speed in 69? anyways i would say a complete 69 in good condition with a nice seat that would be maybe a tick on the high side. if it were an earlier frame i would say that is fair.

 

[NLCTVWguy]

Your offer: PASS. The bike's worth half that, in that condition.

Couple of things. 2 speed is correct option for '69. That may be the last year for it but it's an available option. Coppertone is not. Don't know if it's a repaint or what the deal is.

Maybe it's not a 69, maybe it's built up on a replacement frame or a combination of parts. That kind of thing happened, but not many people can accurately reproduce Schwinns colors, and coppertone is one of the hardest.

A condition 4 bike, that's going to need a rechromed rim (I'm guessing, if you can even save it) or is missing pieces, unless it's really something rare, is not worth that much. Even the cool 2 speed 28 hole hub is just not that super expensive of a piece to justify gouging by the seller.

A lot of people think that Schwinn oval on the front is made of gold. Well, it's not, it's good American steel but not gold.

Now as for the value of parts, that frame is just a coaster Stingray frame. The 2-speed didn't get a rear caliper brake so it's not like a Krate frame. There is a caliper brake on the front fork, or should be, so it's an odd combination of parts. The condition of the remainder of the bike will determine the value- if the handlebars have "typical" rust, you're not going to get them to clean up well. Likewise the stem, the fenders, the crank, the fork crown. If the seat is trashed, thats $100 these days. If the pedals are bad, that's $20-40 for nice ones. And the tires have gone UP in price as they've gone out of stock. Oddly it's the front tire now that's no longer available at any price a sane person would pay.

I hate to say it, but pass on it unless he's willing to come way down. And some way he should try to document what's original on this bike because the paint isn't. Here's your reference:

http://www.trfindley.com/flschwinn_1961 ... 69_24.html

--Rob

 

[icyuod2]

1966 coppertone stingrays
http://www.schwinnbike.com/usa/eng/foru ... 1245457004

its identical to my 67 stingray (green) same guard,forks,chainring etc.
if you restore it, you'll get double to triple your investment.

 

[necessaryevil]

Have you been able to see the bike and serial number in person? The sissy bar, pedals, and knobby tire are screaming early stingray. Forks don't look to have a caliper mount, seat could possibly be a solo polo, can't tell if the handlebars are early wide type or not. Definitely get those serial numbers before you pass up the deal.

 

[CCR]

really hard to say without a pic of the actual bike

heres my general feelings about it

$50 for a rough rider that needs work
$100 for a rough rider that doesnt need work and would clean up decent
add $50 for the two-speed, if it works, if not its going to cost you more money to make it work or replace it.

the big $ bikes usually have to be in mint condition or close to it, 65 and earlier stingrays, krates, mantarays and mini twinns seem to fetch the most in nice condition ... everything else is kind of a grey area so if your planning on flipping it ... do your homework.

 

[karfer67]

wow i did not know they did not do a coppertone in 69 shows what i know. and i think the two pics were not the actual bikes for sale just examples. oh and rays out here in ca go for about that lol.

 

[ratina]

Are you sure they didnt do coppertone in 69? I have a Nov. or Dec. 68 ( i forget) coppertone fastback that has the 69 only stick shift

And on the original post, I think $250 is way to high for a rough bike in that condition, even with a 2 speed.

 

[maddogrider]

Where is rustymotors at? He has the scoop on the Stings

 

[slacker]

I may be off on the date. Never wrote the serial down. I remember it being very late 60's.

I think I'll pass for now.

 

[Rat Rod]

So what's this one really worth?

http://dallas.craigslist.org/dal/bik/1588235695.html

 

[CCR]

id say that one is priced right, looks like a clean bike (though the guy says 70%paint), should part out for more than the cost. ealry 3 speed frame, early bars, early fenders, 3 speed stik, high loop sissy, looks like a deep tuft seat too.

 

[NLCTVWguy]

The violet Dallas one is maybe even a low price. Can't be sure how original it is without seeing it.

If in fact it is original, it's worth that +$100 in my opinion.

The early 3-speed frame and fork with caliper mounts are the part you can't fake. I've got a Feb '66 3-spd Deluxe, violet, that's original paint but with the thumb shifter- with top tube decals, it never had a Stik Shift.

I think it's a good bike to trade hands in the $350-400 range up here. The early large-frame bikes like this have chrome seat clamps, chrome kickstands, chrome fender stays, razor edge fenders, wide bars, 2-pie reflectors, and large-diamond block pedals. Very few of them are totally original, and have all the chrome in good shape.

The coppertone sounds awful and better bikes are out there for the price. The violet looks great if original, or it's not a bad repaint if that's the case, and it is priced well for what it is.

--Rob

 

[Rat Rod]

Thanks guys!

It's tempting, but I don't know enough about them to keep from getting worked over.

The profit margin would have to be greater for me to warrant the risk.

 

[karfer67]

i would buy that at that price because it is a rare color and a deluxe

 

[BankerRAt]

I would say its to much. I got this bike here for around that and judging by the pic... that bike is hurting.