The StinkRay

[TheKornerPedaler]

Well my Class 1 build isn't quite finished yet, but it's close enough that I couldn't resist the urge to start this one any longer!
The basis of this project is a Schwinn OCC Stingray chopper, which I pulled out of a good ol' boy's scrap pile in the middle of nowhere Alabama. I had wanted one of these bikes since they were new, but I was about to get my driver's license back then and I had a '76 Volkswagen Bug to spend all my hard-earned cash on. I picked this one up for $20, so I guess it was worth waiting 15 years!

Anyway, here she is. Not much to look at right now, and I'm undecided yet as to whether or not the rust is going to stay!

 

[TheKornerPedaler]

The seatpost was stuck in the lowest position, so my first step was to remove the seat from its mount via four 10mm nuts underneath.
With the seat out of the way, I was able to get at this assembly to wack it with a rubber mallet. Once I knew it wasn't rusted solid, I applied some good old fashioned elbow grease and voila! it was free!

 

[SpikeFC]

Oh the rust should stay... it looks good on it!

 

[TheKornerPedaler]

Just for kicks, I test fit the new saddle, which came from a 70s or 80s exercise bike I found under my porch. It's going to look great!

Here is my donor bike, a Next Wipeout which has already donated its front and rear dropouts to my Class 1 project. Parts of the Next frame will be used to stretch and reshape the OCC.

 

[LukeTheJoker]

Cool stuff!

 

[TheKornerPedaler]

Broke out the Sawzall this morning...

 

[TheKornerPedaler]

Pie cut:

Removed the top tree for clearance:

Bend!

 

[OddJob]

Looks like the chain guard didn't like that 'bend' so much, but that should straighten out no prob.

Cool idea! Dig the new stance. RaT oN~!

 

[TheKornerPedaler]

Looks like the chain guard didn't like that 'bend' so much, but that should straighten out no prob.

Cool idea! Dig the new stance. RaT oN~!

Yeah I forgot to unbolt the chain guard. Lol. I think I will probably get rid of it anyway.

 

[metalchewy]

Yeah I forgot to unbolt the chain guard. Lol. I think I will probably get rid of it anyway.

Those long guards come in handy when you want to dress up a custom stretched frame. Painted, they almost look like another piece of tubing.

I kept the one off that electric stingray I cut up a couple years ago. I might even use it this build off. On an aside, I have been called a level 2 hoardermore than once by the missus...

 

[SpikeFC]

Love this one, always wanted a bike like this since I first saw it in a pawn shop in '03 or '04, but it was far beyond my reach, or at least of my wallets reach.

On an aside, I have been called a level 2 hoardermore than once by the missus...

Yeah, I kinda know that problem...

 

[TheKornerPedaler]

Just a small update today. Got the "tank" cut off. It will probably get repurposed during the course of this build.

 

[SpikeFC]

Looking good, I want to see how this turns out

 

[TheKornerPedaler]

My Lil Helper took a long nap today, so I spent some quality time with Stinkray, the donor bike, and some sharp objects.

The piece from the donor bike is too long right now, because I wasn't sure what angles I would need to cut to butt the two tubes together.

 

[TheKornerPedaler]

Decided to try and mock up a draft of a tank. It will be a structural item as well as an aesthetic one. I like the overall design, but it needs to be a little longer and closer to the head tube.

 

[TheKornerPedaler]

The pictures in the last two posts bugged me so bad, I had to go back out and fix it. MUCH better!

 

[TheKornerPedaler]

Finally got to log some time on this thing. After getting all the tubes where I want them, I dug out my long-dormant flux core welder and laid down some very embarrassing booger welds. They're ugly as sin but at least the frame is rigid now. They will obviously get ground down and any pinholes welded up. Heck, I'll probably lay down proper beads on top just for the sake of my own pride. Lol.

 

[SpikeFC]

Finally got to log some time on this thing. After getting all the tubes where I want them, I dug out my long-dormant flux core welder and laid down some very embarrassing booger welds. They're ugly as sin but at least the frame is rigid now. They will obviously get ground down and any pinholes welded up. Heck, I'll probably lay down proper beads on top just for the sake of my own pride. Lol.

Still look better than my welds

 

[TheKornerPedaler]

On to the next phase of frame modifications! Pie cut the bottom tube at the chainstays, chop the chainstays at the dropouts, and finally hack the bottom tube off the bottom bracket.

I didn't have a specific ride height in mind, I just wanted the angle of the chainstays to mirror that of the seatstays. I think I've accomplished that!

 

[TheKornerPedaler]

The Next parts bike donated another piece of its frame for the downtube extension. A little bit of love from a grinder and Dremel will have this ready to weld in.