Schwinn King Sting and Sidewinder!???

[sue12]

That is incorrect, not every Schwinn bike was available for special orders! Some of the higher end bikes were available for special order, but not all. Also, due to the popularity of the Schwinn Cruiser, Schwinn did offer those (Frames ONLY) in special colors, (White Included) and you can see that in the previous pic I posted earlier in this thread.

But you are correct that us dealers would upsell, and swap out the standard forks on Cruisers with tube forks, with the most popular being the Tange chrome tube fork. And that is fact, since I swapped out lots of them back in the day at the shop I worked at.

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To the masses yes. But it is the people with the money that walk into a schwin dealer and say I want that in this color that mess with your gospel on what is available. Because years after they are gone the bikes, cars and motorcycles they special ordered wind up in the market as exceptions to your rules. Aka the best kind of American freedom. Think it is just one way? Keep saying that and those exceptions will show up

 

[Xlobsterman]

So what is everyone's thoughts on this "Rare Limited Edition" King Sting?

Read the Ebay description: https://www.ebay.com/itm/1863529855...d=link&campid=5335809022&toolid=20001&mkevt=1

 

[Schwinn Sales West]

Where do these stories. Originate? I call BS! John

 

[Xlobsterman]

Where do these stories. Originate? I call BS! John

I guess you were not one of the sales reps that got one of these limited production frames.................LOL

 

[rockabillyjay]

I know there was a small batch of green 20” stings so I guess it’s possible

 

[Xlobsterman]

I know there was a small batch of green 20” stings so I guess it’s possible

I am with John on the BS story! Especially the part about it being less expensive to chrome a frame than to paint it!

 

[Schulze]

the ad cracks me up! It says if you’re a collector, you’ll want to re-chrome!

 

[DrRumack80]

Looks more like #777

"This is number 7 of those first original 10."

 

[Schwinn Sales West]

Look lets put this in perspective. Schwinn Bicycle Company had four Regional Sales Companies, West, Mid-West, South, and East. Dealers did not place bicycle or parts orders directly with Schwinn Chicago. Everything was sold, billed, and the money went through the dealers assigned Regional Sales Company. Mid-West was the largest, and South was the smallest in the number of dealers they serviced. The total number of District Sales Representatives was just under 50 positions nationally. SSW had 11 district's/sales reps.

Why in the world would Schwinn build only 10 salesmen's samples? That number is not even enough frames/bikes to give out to the Sales Reps at Schwinn Sales West. When a Regional Sales Company covers 10-15 states you cannot afford to pull your sales force off of the road and bring them into the main (Regional) office for a sales meeting to show them one new model.

The entire concept of building 10 sample bikes is just wrong on so many levels.

If Schwinn introduced a "Mid Year" new model, or maybe a new color for spring/fall sales they would print a nice full color flyer page. It would have been distributed either by the factory via the Reporter, or Newsflash. It could also have been distributed by the Regional Sales company with their monthly mailings to the dealers. Every month the dealers in our region received a ten page sales flyer with parts on special and other promotions. The dealers in Alaska and Hawaii only saw Bruce Miller twice each year. He could not drag a King Sting sample around with him on a Delta Airplane.

John

 

[Schwinn Sales West]

the ad cracks me up! It says if you’re a collector, you’ll want to re-chrome!

It is very difficult to weld a broken frame after the frame was chrome plated. It needs to be chemically striped. It is funny, because most collectors are looking for something with an "original finish", not repainted, or re-chromed.

John