Withdrawn Until I'm more confident on the vintage of the old Schwinn frame set I'm pulling that bike. I still have the 1975 StingRay as a complete Bike for sale

[MMorris923]

Pre-War Schwinn Cantilever Frame w/ Locking Springer & German Hubs + 1975 Schwinn StingRay--2 for package or separate sale​

Two Schwinn bikes I’ve held onto for almost a half of century. This includes a pre-war frame and parts. I would prefer to sell the Pre-War parts together but will consider selling components individually. Plus a complete 1975 original Schwinn Sting-Ray.​

Background:​

The old Schwinn was rescued alongside a dairy pasture fence in Southern California, in the late 1960s, in what is now the city of Cerritos. I saved the frame, springer fork, badge, and the Schwinn Approved hubs. I had always wanted to do a restoration.

Description:

• Frame: Straight bar, balloon tire frame, estimated date prewar-1939-41 (date was estimated by a restorer in Southern California.), has bottom bracket bearing cups, one bearing cup is stamped “Schwinn.” Non-painted seat post binder bracket with stamped “AS” binder bolt.
• Fork: Locking springer fork with key lock, no key—includes the head locknut and upper head adjusting cup. The head tube bearing race cups have been lost. I had the fork key, head bearing cups, crank and sprocket in a marked box that was lost in one of our moves. Unique fork drop-outs, the left side is a slotted drop-out, the right is a hole. Springer Yoke bolts are stamped, “AS.” The truss rods are missing. Threaded rods are protecting frame and fork spacing for shipping.
• Schwinn aluminum head badge, with one original screw—in the head tube.
• Front and rear Schwinn Approved hubs stamped, “Germany” amazing chrome. Rear hub has swivel zerk cap.
• Rear single speed coaster brake arm marked Schwinn Approved, with original frame clamp.
• Rear hub sprocket marked 20 tooth
• One frame bracket that may have been for a rear rack.

Additional Notes:
• Frame and fork retains original black paint and white striping similar to the Panther motif, the frame does not have tank tabs. Frame appears to be straight, solid with no visible brazing cracks. Original paint, no repainted sections.
• Right rear dropout has corrosion that would need to be replaced for a frame restoration. I have a replacement drop-out, that I was told is correct for replacement. Photos available showing corrosion and replacement drop-out part.
• The bottom bracket has no visible serial number, it may have been a lightly stamped number that was lost in cleaning of rust years ago.
• The German hubs have excellent chrome, a ten out of ten. For many years I used the rear hub as a paper-weight on my desk to showcase the beautiful pre-war German craftsmanship.
• I have 49 pictures available showing various details.
• Great candidate for restoration or collectors needing specific original pre-war Schwinn frame and fork components.

Vintage Schwinn Price:

$635 OBO for this pre-war group package. Plus actual shipping costs. Fed-Ex is the most reasonable shipping from Lakeview. The boxed Pre-War group weighs 30 pounds, box size: 45” x 26.5” x 8” I would like to sell this Pre-War Schwinn as a parts group but will consider parting it out. It may be picked-up, boxed, in Lakeview, Oregon. Lakeview is on Highway 395 just north of the Oregon/California border in ranching and timber country.

Nice 100% original 1975 Schwinn StingRay bicycle, manufactured in Chicago, Serial number: JL553358.​

I purchased this red StingRay, used in 1978 for our daughter. The bike ended up being too heavy for our petite girl, and she rode it very little, so it has spent most of its life stored and moved with us for half of a century. Time to down-size our “stuff.” This is a nice original StingRay, still sitting on the original Schwinn tires.

Description:
• Classic StingRay, 100% 1975 factory Schwinn parts
• The serial number on the head tube dates the bike, September 1975.
• Original black banana seat.
• Original Sissy bar
• Original Metallic Red, Schwinn grips
• Original Schwinn pedals
• Original StingRay chain guard
• Original Schwinn “StingRay” tires • Includes a handle-bar bell

Condition:
• Nice original red paint with normal wear, I rate the paint at 7 points on a 10 point scale, some scratching due to normal child wear.
• Frame is straight with no brazing cracks or damage, 10 points on 10 point scale.
• Seat has some scuffing on the right-side.
• Chrome fenders and rims, bright and clean, 9 points on 10 point scale—practically perfect.
• Original tires and tubes. Tires show age checking/cracking but the tubes still hold air—for display purposes only, not for riding.
• Bike is partially dissembled for shipping, tires are deflated.
• Additional specific photos available
• This is a great vintage 1975 StingRay. It would make a nice collector display piece or nostalgic rider.

StingRay Price:
$545 OBO. Plus actual shipping costs. Fed-Ex is the most economical shipping from Lakeview. The boxed StingRay weighs 45 pounds, box size: 50.5” x 29” x 7.5” Frame is covered with protective pipe insulation for shipping.

 

[MMorris923]

Here are a couple close-up photos of the fork and the hubs. The chrome on both hubs is exceptionally nice. The fork appears complete, except for the missing truss rods and key, (the stamped key code is “AN 54”). The fork includes the head locknut and upper adjusting cup.

While I would prefer to sell the group as a package; I am open to separating if there is specific interest in particular parts.

The vintage Schwinn is boxed and ready for shipping. The StingRay is also ready to ship; or if you are interested in a spring road trip to Oregon either bike is available for pick-up.

 

[MMorris923]

Brad, thanks for the clarification on the drop-outs. I was basing the estimate on what I was told years ago; but I wondered about the drop-outs as I've looked at pictures on-line. My guess would be perhaps, the vintage may have been fairly soon after the war when commercial sales may have ramped up. I suppose the hubs may have been left over stock pre-war. I was also told the locking springer fork indicated pre-war. Could that be? Would it be possible that the fork was also old stock being used post war? Just curious, you appear to be knowledgeable. Based on what you know, what would be a reasonable value for the frame/set? I'd like to sell what I have to someone who could use it. I'm trying to downsize plus like many we could use the funds. Thanks for your time and comment. Being a new forum member, I couldn't figure out how to respond back privately sorry for not being able figure out the proper way, but I wanted to respond. Mike

 

[BW'sbikes]

Hi Mike, I have a '52 boys Schwinn Hornet with that frame design, and paint scheme. My guess is yours is in that era. The serial number would be a tell. It's either under the crank housing, or on one of the rear drop outs. Rear drop out serial numbers started around '51-52. The locking springer looks like it has a postwar relaxed radius to the legs, prewar being a tighter radius then postwar. Judging from photo's not measurements is tricky. This fork appears to have the longer head tube for a girls bike. Measure the boys frame headstock, then measure the tube on the top of the springer. If the tube is way longer on the springer, it's a girls. It should be apparent if it fits a boys. Only enough of the threads will protrude when assembled to accommodate the bearings and race/washer/nut. You should also measure from the top of the frame seat tube to the middle of the crank housing. 18" would be a desirable number. I don't know anything about the German hubs, and don't believe they would have come with this series of Schwinn bikes? Values- look at completed sales, not eBay asking prices, for same-same items. In general, girls only bike parts, and postwar boys frames of this era would be of lower value than prewar boys bike parts, there are always exceptions. There are lots of experts here that can help dial you in.

 

[MMorris923]

Brad, thanks for the further information. I disassembled the bike inn 1978 or 79... it was a complete bike rolling on rotten tires. While it is possible to be a Frankenstein assembly, I don't believe it was. I'll measure the areas you suggested to verify. Unfortunately there are no serial numbers, I've carefully check the bottom bracket and rear stays. The bottom bracket is a pretty rough casting. I'll post pictures of that in a day or so. From my limited research I understand there was a period when the bottom brackets were lightly stamped. I did clean the rust off but there was no evidence of numbers. But as I said earlier I appreciate your time and comments.

 

[WillWork4Parts]

There is nothing prewar or remotely wartime about that black frame. The hubs were made by Union(front) and F&S(rear) for Schwinn, hence the Schwinn Approved stamping. Those hubs were made for Schwinn starting in approximately 1958. That particular straightbar frame has a smaller diameter middle tube than the top and down tubes and I believe production ran from 1950 through 1957. Earlier models of the frame had all 1" diameter tubing in the front triangle. With a rotted drop out, there's not much value there. The repair would likely cost almost as much as the frame and collector value is lost when the original paint is gone. Also, the Panther had a different paint scheme than this. If the aluminum badge is original, I'm leaning towards this bike being 52 and up and the serial number would be on the outside of the good drop out. The specific year, only determined by serial number, means everything as to what model it could have been. That paint scheme could have been model D-¿##?, Spitfire, Hornet, or Deluxe Hornet. To further muddy the waters of serial number dating a bike, Schwinn repeated some serials in 52, 55, and 57. There aren't enough parts here to narrow down the date any further than what looks to be a seat clamp shape that was used by Schwinn starting in 57 and that is an easily removed and swapped part.

 

[BW'sbikes]

Brad, thanks for the clarification on the drop-outs. I was basing the estimate on what I was told years ago; but I wondered about the drop-outs as I've looked at pictures on-line. My guess would be perhaps, the vintage may have been fairly soon after the war when commercial sales may have ramped up. I suppose the hubs may have been left over stock pre-war. I was also told the locking springer fork indicated pre-war. Could that be? Would it be possible that the fork was also old stock being used post war? Just curious, you appear to be knowledgeable. Based on what you know, what would be a reasonable value for the frame/set? I'd like to sell what I have to someone who could use it. I'm trying to downsize plus like many we could use the funds. Thanks for your time and comment. Being a new forum member, I couldn't figure out how to respond back privately sorry for not being able figure out the proper way, but I wanted to respond. Mike

Mike, if one of the rear dropouts is bad, then the only recourse is a doner dropout from a period girls frame, and welding/fitting/faux painting skills. I'd Just sell it accordingly as a package deal proclaiming known issues. Best, Brad

 

[MMorris923]

Until I'm more confident on the vintage of the old Schwinn, I'm pulling it for now. I have measured the OD of the tubes and the straight tube is 7/8" whereas the rest are just a little over 1". The distance from the top of the top tube to center of the bottom bracket is 17.25". It is unfortunate that I didn't take pictures back in 1978 or 79 when I got both bikes...hind-sight, oh well. Again for the record there is no visible serial numbers on either the bottom bracket or rear frame stays. Appreciate the comments in trying rough date the frame-set. In looking over the comments, I do have a donor drop-out that I received back in early 1980s that appears to be identical to left rear drop-out. I got the donor from a shop in Huntington Beach California, that back then was doing restorations. My goal was always to one day restore the bike. Thanks again for the various comments.

 

[MMorris923]

One other measurement, the frame head-tube measures 5-3/8;" which is the same as the fork's tube length (the frame's bearing cups are lost). The fork was attached to this frame-set when I disassembled the bike in 1978-79 (I'm not positive on the year). One other detail that might help in dating, the lock cylinder is stamped "AN54." Does that help date the frame-set, could the 54 be for 1954? Any ideas on the stamped "AN54?"

 

[WillWork4Parts]

AN54 is just the number a locksmith would use to make you a key to match your lock, not the date.