Classic & Vintage - Vintage Stingray? Musclebike? HELP!

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tylerhardie
08-20-04, 01:33 PM
Hello,

I recently picked this bike up and have no idea of the make or model. I've done some research and it doesn't seem to resemble a Schwinn of anytype. It is the classic banana seat "MuscleBike". The serial number is on the left drop out and is "Y28....340058". It has a Bendix rear coaster brake and a BF Goodrich tire Silvertown 20x2.125 on the rear, and a Bridgestone 20x1.75 on the front. The rear dropouts have a really cool wing look to them. It looks like the original color was gold. The name has been sanded off and the badge on the front headtube are missing. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Please feel free to email me with any help! Best Regards,

Tyler Hardie

tylerhardie@hotmail.com

P.S. I tried to upload two photos as an attachment, let me know if they don't work and I could email them to you. Thanks again.

randya
08-20-04, 03:01 PM
It's hard to tell from the shots you provided, but it does resemble a very early Schwinn Stingray as far as the tire sizes, seat, manner of seat attachment (on the wheel axle), Bendix brake and cantilever frame; but I'm not really sure as far as the serial # code or the shape and method of attachment of those rear drop outs?

There are a number of web sites where you can do more research, here's one of them:

http://www.geocities.com/chopper10speed/readersbikes.html

There also be a book like this from MBI Publishing just about Stingrays, but I'm not seeing a listing at Amazon, so it's probably out of print:

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0760310459/qid=1093035142/sr=1-1/ref=sr_1_1/104-5138385-3378353?v=glance&s=books

Maybe someone else in this forum knows more, and I think the history of Schwinn serial numbers is pretty well documented.
randya
08-20-04, 03:09 PM
Some more links:

http://www.bunchobikes.com/serialnumber2.htm
http://oldroads.com/st_sum2.htm
http://oldroads.com/stingl.asp

:)

SSenorPedro
08-20-04, 08:59 PM
It looks like it could be a Murray to me. I have several mid to late seventies Murray cruisers and all of them have that rear drop that flares out at the back.

-Pete
Smash
08-20-04, 11:35 PM
I agree its probably a Murray or maybe an AMF/Roadmaster.
pjbaz
08-21-04, 07:03 PM
Try to e-mail Jim (get his address here) WWW.nemusclebikes.com

PJ
randya
08-24-04, 12:39 PM
Could it be a 'hybrid' that someone put together with a Murray or AMF frame and Schwinn wheels and other parts?
tylerhardie
08-30-04, 11:11 AM
Thank you all for the help! It is very much appreciated. It looks like the conclusion is a Murrary. Any idea how desireable these bikes are, value/etc?

Thanks again,

Tyler Hardie
Smash
08-30-04, 12:48 PM
Values on the old muscle bikes range quite a bit. Typically condition and originality are a big factor in value with the better condition and most original parts having the greater value.

The Murrays, Huffys and other brands aren't near as valuable as the Stingrays or the Raleigh Choppers. I have found these at bike shows from $50 to $200 but it boils down to how much you can get when you have a buyer in front of you. You can also check the big auction sites to get an idea of current selling prices.