Wanted, High Loop Sissy Bar for 1965 Schwinn Stingray

[Bradies Bicycle Shop]

I came across a cool original paint '65 stingray frame, fork, and chain guard that looks to have been an old rental bike with the number 78 painted on the top tube up near the head tube. It has a licenses from Santa Ana, CA that expired in 1973 as well as blue red and white bars on the seat tube that I've never seen before. This is probably the wrong thread for this but if anyone knows what it's about please let me know (pic below). Thanks

 

[coasterbrakejunkie1969]

@bicyclebones has them on ebay. They are very, very decent repop's. Legitimate original high loop will run about as much as you spent on the bike. Here is my '66 with a bicycle bones repop

 

[WillWork4Parts]

Got pictures of the rest of the bike/parts with serial number? That decal may make the frame an American/Typhoon/similar non-stingray model, if it's a later 65 short frame.

This is my 61 American with an earlier/larger version of that decal.

You've got me thinking about buying one of these repro sissybars now too.

 

[Bradies Bicycle Shop]

@bicyclebones has them on ebay. They are very, very decent repop's. Legitimate original high loop will run about as much as you spent on the bike. Here is my '66 with a bicycle bones repop

View attachment 2054078

View attachment 2054079

Thanks, yeah that looks great.. cool bike!

 

[Bradies Bicycle Shop]

Got pictures of the rest of the bike/parts with serial number? That decal may make the frame an American/Typhoon/similar non-stingray model, if it's a later 65 short frame.

This is my 61 American with an earlier/larger version of that decal.

View attachment 2054086
You've got me thinking about buying one of these repro sissybars now too.

That American looks great... The sissy bar on there looks unique and fits the seat... Somewhere between a high loop and a square back. I don't think the '65 I have is a typhoon. It says Stingray on the Chain guard.... so the mystery of that color bar logo continues.

 

[WillWork4Parts]

Yours does look like a long frame, so it wouldn't be any of the lower models. The Stingrays didn't come with that 3 band decal though...none of the ones I've had or serviced. Somebody probably added it later. Maybe the 78 and the 3 band decal was just a way to easily identify their rentals, or a kid wanted to easily spot his bike in a group of stingrays. Out of curiosity, what month does the serial show?

The American is still the way that I picked it up, with non-Schwinn seat and sissybar. I haven't decided if I want to make an early solo polo P.I.G. bike or put it back stock.

 

[coasterbrakejunkie1969]

That American looks great... The sissy bar on there looks unique and fits the seat... Somewhere between a high loop and a square back. I don't think the '65 I have is a typhoon. It says Stingray on the Chain guard.... so the mystery of that color bar logo continues.

View attachment 2054208

Yours does look like a long frame, so it wouldn't be any of the lower models. The Stingrays didn't come with that 3 band decal though...none of the ones I've had or serviced. Somebody probably added it later. Maybe the 78 and the 3 band decal was just a way to easily identify their rentals, or a kid wanted to easily spot his bike in a group of stingrays. Out of curiosity, what month does the serial show?

The American is still the way that I picked it up, with non-Schwinn seat and sissybar. I haven't decided if I want to make an early solo polo P.I.G. bike or put it back stock.

There are 5 different types of Stingray sissy bars, #1 square back non crimped, #2 square back crimped, #3 high loop, #4 then the new style bar that is a bit more straight up on the loop, last is the new style with a more pronounced bend on the loop. Here is a pic of the last 2 styles with the latest and final style on the left. The difference is slight but they are different it is hard to tell when on a bike. I believe the last style started in 1969 but not exactly sure. The earlier new style can be mistaken for a high loop if you are not fimiliar with the actual high loop.

 

[coasterbrakejunkie1969]

@WillWork4Parts am I correct about the last style being 1969?

 

[WillWork4Parts]

@WillWork4Parts am I correct about the last style being 1969?

I was thinking 70 for the slider style sissybar/strut top bend change, since that's when the pans changed, but I think that's a piece of information that has been pushed from the memory banks and may not be accurate. There is another style crimp on the square back sissybars you forgot about, the short crimp vs long crimp. I originally thought the difference came about in a certain month in 64, but I was recently told it's the difference between factory installed strut and aftermarket accessory seat struts. There's another thread discussing all of that...just to keep from dirtying up this man's WTB thread. It's good to note here that certain month 64 Super Deluxe Stingrays also had a high loop sissybar(strut). There is also a 66 accessory strut that bolts onto the axle, it has the standard size loop like a slider sissybar/strut. So be aware of that when searching for a high loop.

 

[Bradies Bicycle Shop]

Yours does look like a long frame, so it wouldn't be any of the lower models. The Stingrays didn't come with that 3 band decal though...none of the ones I've had or serviced. Somebody probably added it later. Maybe the 78 and the 3 band decal was just a way to easily identify their rentals, or a kid wanted to easily spot his bike in a group of stingrays. Out of curiosity, what month does the serial show?

The American is still the way that I picked it up, with non-Schwinn seat and sissybar. I haven't decided if I want to make an early solo polo P.I.G. bike or put it back stock.

Serial number is MA so December of 65... At that, its likely an early '66 model, no?

Can never go wrong with an early solo polo and corresponding handlebars in my opinion. Especially since your American is the "shorty" size frame (I think?). That combination makes for one of my favorite Stingray stances.