This was my first attempt at a refurbished bike build. My friend Randy had his original 1968 Schwinn Sting-Ray that he got for a birthday present in July of '68. The serial number indicates the bike was built in the factory in March of that year. He wanted the old stickers preserved, period correct parts added back on, and the bike made to look like it was in great condition, yet still vintage.
Hence, the 'vintage clean' look of the bike as it stands now. Not a complete restoration to 'brand new', but a new looking bike with a vintage vibe. Following are a few pics of the process and comparisons with the condition before and after the process. Hope you enjoy!
What the bike looked like when I picked it up....had been converted in the late '70 s to a BMX set-up....
Bike had been hit by a car in the garage at one point. Rear triangle was out of wack, rear wheel rendered helpless, front wheel out of true and broken spokes, and worst of all; the handlebars were bent and kinked beyond straightening. Found a set of bars, Schwinn correct rear wheel (the red one was not original to the bike), rear slick tire, barely used banana seat, new sissy bar, to bring it back to it's original set-up. Cleaned all the chrome, taped off all the nostalgic stickers and gave the frame and fork a new overcoat of paint, then cut new decals to fit.
Before and after of the crank / drive train / chain guard....
Top tube before / after.....
Seat tube before / after....
And a few more shots of the completed bike. It was a new challenge for me, and I appreciate all the helpful hints, historical background, and encouragement you all provided along the way! Thanks, and ..... RaT oN!
And the best part, the smile on his face when he picked up his 'new' bike! It was 1968 all over again.
Hence, the 'vintage clean' look of the bike as it stands now. Not a complete restoration to 'brand new', but a new looking bike with a vintage vibe. Following are a few pics of the process and comparisons with the condition before and after the process. Hope you enjoy!
What the bike looked like when I picked it up....had been converted in the late '70 s to a BMX set-up....
Bike had been hit by a car in the garage at one point. Rear triangle was out of wack, rear wheel rendered helpless, front wheel out of true and broken spokes, and worst of all; the handlebars were bent and kinked beyond straightening. Found a set of bars, Schwinn correct rear wheel (the red one was not original to the bike), rear slick tire, barely used banana seat, new sissy bar, to bring it back to it's original set-up. Cleaned all the chrome, taped off all the nostalgic stickers and gave the frame and fork a new overcoat of paint, then cut new decals to fit.
Before and after of the crank / drive train / chain guard....
Top tube before / after.....
Seat tube before / after....
And a few more shots of the completed bike. It was a new challenge for me, and I appreciate all the helpful hints, historical background, and encouragement you all provided along the way! Thanks, and ..... RaT oN!
And the best part, the smile on his face when he picked up his 'new' bike! It was 1968 all over again.
