I remember seeing this on eBay. I thought it was a clean bike and didn't appear to have a bunch of parts swapped out on it. I wouldn't repaint it either. I realize that I have 2 bikes entered in Build Off 5 and both have been repainted, but I'm a firm believer in saving original paint if at all possible. In the case of my 2 entries, I had to repaint them if for nothing else but my own personal enjoyment. But they really did need new paint. When I read on everyone's build page, I get the same feeling across the board that they do these restorations for their own personal satisfaction which already makes each and everyone of us a winner! Have fun with this one. Looks Great!
That's one of the best parts about these build offs, we try things we have never done before. I think I can safely say that has been the occurrence on every one of mine. Looking forward to your first ride! *as in 'video'*
I decided to use the front wheel from my Stingray project instead of repairing the cheap-o Murray one so I got that torn apart and the Schwinn bearings are now soaking in the de-greaser. I already had the new bearings in the Murray wheel and ready to go when I noticed the damage so I decided that a short ride up and down the street (hopefully) wouldn't kill me. The bike rides great, it has a much different feel than my '64 Stingray. As soon as the bearings come out of the juice I'll get the tube and tire switched over and installed. Then, after a shakedown, final cleaning and waxing it'll be finished. 
Then it's on to tackle the '65 Stingray. Since I'm sticking the Stingray front wheel on the Murray I'm leaning towards a Fastback wheel for the Schwinn project...........I'm hoping it will give the illusion of an even fatter Slick on the back with the skinnier wheel/tire on the front. Any opinions?
Despite the fact that both tires are labelled as 20 x 1.75 there is no freaking way the Carlisle will fit on the Schwinn wheel. I am not known for being patient or having an easy-going temper. It took all I had not to throw that wheel out in the middle of the street and beat the snot out of it with a 2 lb sledgehammer. After wrestling with it for about thirty minutes I threw in the towel and ordered a new tire like the one on my '64 Stingray so I know it will fit. Now I get to wait on the mailman for another week to deliver the package. 
Your stingray wheel should be a 20x 1 3/4. Not the same as a 20x 1.75.I'm becoming more and more irritated by this (and bicycles in general) by the minute. After the whole cracked hub ordeal of last week I tore apart a nice Schwinn front wheel to clean the bearings. I let them soak all weekend and this afternoon was planning to switch out the tire on the Schwinn wheel (dry rotted) with the supercool™ Carlisle Zephyr Flyte tire on the Murray. Things did not go as planned.
Please excuse me while I go smash something..............
Don't get discouraged!
The tire sizes between Schwinn and the rest of the manufacturers aren't the same. 20 x 2 3/4 for Schwinn is not the same as 20 x 1.75 for Murray bikes. I know the decimals should be the same, but they aren't
Someone will be able to explain the difference, I don't know it well enough. I bet there is something on the Sheldon Brown site though.
