Traded a Marantz 4270 stereo for a 1974 Schwinn 5 Speed Stingray - Is it real/legit?
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Traded a Marantz 4270 stereo for a 1974 Schwinn 5 Speed Stingray - Is it real/legit?
I found a Marantz 4270 stereo at a local thrift store for only $29.95 last week & had put it on FB marketplace for $750obo. A guy came by my yard sale I was having yesterday & when he saw my vintage road bikes he told me he collected Schwinn Stingrays, Then when he saw the Marantz he offered me $500 for the stereo - or a 1974 Schwinn 5 speed stingray.
I took the Stingray!
To be sure I checked the serial number (MK51114) which makes it a Dec. 1974 stingray, right? But after he left I was checking other bikes and 1 thing I noticed is that almost all of them have the straight chrome legs on the back of the banana seat & mine has shock absorbers? The ones with these were krate stingrays (pes picker, etc..) - are these on my bike legit?
Also, the seat is a Person made in usa, but the cover/fabric looks crooked; could it have been recovered?
Is this a real 1974 Schwinn 5 speed Stingray?
Any information would help & be greatly appreciated!








I took the Stingray!
To be sure I checked the serial number (MK51114) which makes it a Dec. 1974 stingray, right? But after he left I was checking other bikes and 1 thing I noticed is that almost all of them have the straight chrome legs on the back of the banana seat & mine has shock absorbers? The ones with these were krate stingrays (pes picker, etc..) - are these on my bike legit?
Also, the seat is a Person made in usa, but the cover/fabric looks crooked; could it have been recovered?
Is this a real 1974 Schwinn 5 speed Stingray?
Any information would help & be greatly appreciated!









#2
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: PDX
Posts: 10,168
Bikes: Merz x 5 + Specialized Merz Allez x 2, Strawberry/Newlands/DiNucci/Ti x3, Gordon, Fuso/Moulton x2, Bornstein, Paisley,1958-74 Paramounts x3, 3rensho, 74 Moto TC, 73-78 Raleigh Pro's x5, Marinoni x2, 1960 Cinelli SC, 1980 Bianchi SC, PX-10 X 2
Mentioned: 203 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3155 Post(s)
Liked 2,931 Times
in
1,852 Posts

I think you did good but not sure I would have traded the Marantz for it, I remember them and would love to have one now.

Likes For merziac:
#3
Forum Moderator
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Kalamazoo MI
Posts: 20,376
Bikes: Fuji SL2.1 Carbon Di2 Cannondale Synapse Alloy 4 Trek Checkpoint ALR gravel Viscount Aerospace Pro Schwinn Paramount PDG 5 Colnago Classic Rabobank
Mentioned: 51 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2741 Post(s)
Liked 4,398 Times
in
2,622 Posts
Likes For cb400bill:
Likes For miamibeachcg:
#6
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2019
Location: Michigan USA
Posts: 527
Bikes: A bunch of old bikes.
Mentioned: 4 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 154 Post(s)
Liked 349 Times
in
189 Posts
That looks like a nice Marantz, nice picking!
The 5 speed Stingray looks correct except maybe the seat and sissy bar with shocks. Those might be from a different bike.
Best thing would be to post over on thecabe, they will probably know.
The 5 speed Stingray looks correct except maybe the seat and sissy bar with shocks. Those might be from a different bike.
Best thing would be to post over on thecabe, they will probably know.
#7
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: NW Ohio
Posts: 2,912
Bikes: 1984 Miyata 310, 1986 Schwinn Sierra, 2011 Jamis Quest, 1980 Peugeot TH8 Tandem, 1992 Performance Parabola, 1987 Ross Mt. Hood, 1988 Schwinn LeTour, 1988 Trek 400T, 1981 Fuji S12-S LTD
Mentioned: 19 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 339 Post(s)
Liked 279 Times
in
188 Posts
I have a Marantz 2238 and a 2238b. I didn't know they were so popular. I would gladly trade one for a nice bike.
Likes For Pompiere:
#8
Forum Moderator
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Kalamazoo MI
Posts: 20,376
Bikes: Fuji SL2.1 Carbon Di2 Cannondale Synapse Alloy 4 Trek Checkpoint ALR gravel Viscount Aerospace Pro Schwinn Paramount PDG 5 Colnago Classic Rabobank
Mentioned: 51 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2741 Post(s)
Liked 4,398 Times
in
2,622 Posts
#9
tantum vehi
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Flathead Valley, MT
Posts: 4,213
Bikes: More than I care to admit
Mentioned: 137 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1020 Post(s)
Liked 574 Times
in
320 Posts
You got a beautiful stingray for under $30, I’d say you did well. But I would have kept the Marantz...
__________________
1970 Gitane TdF; 1973 Gitane TdF
1979 Trek 710; 1981 Trek 412; 1981 Trek 710
1983 Specialized Stumpjumper Sport; 1985 Specialized Allez SE; 1988 Specialized Sirrus; 1989 Specialized Rock Combo
1984 Ross Mt. Hood
1988 Centurion Ironman Expert
1991 Bridgestone RB-1
1992 Serotta Colorado TG
2015 Elephant NFE
1979 Trek 710; 1981 Trek 412; 1981 Trek 710
1983 Specialized Stumpjumper Sport; 1985 Specialized Allez SE; 1988 Specialized Sirrus; 1989 Specialized Rock Combo
1984 Ross Mt. Hood
1988 Centurion Ironman Expert
1991 Bridgestone RB-1
1992 Serotta Colorado TG
2015 Elephant NFE
Likes For mountaindave:
#10
weapons-grade bolognium
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Across the street from Chicago
Posts: 5,881
Bikes: Battaglin Cromor, Ciocc Designer 84, Schwinn Superior 1981
Mentioned: 42 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 827 Post(s)
Liked 1,400 Times
in
602 Posts
Looks legit and in nice original condition. I would have kept the Marantz, but I think you got the better end of this trade.
#11
SE Wis
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Milwaukee, WI
Posts: 8,941
Bikes: '68 Raleigh Sprite, '02 Raleigh C500, '84 Raleigh Gran Prix, '91 Trek 400, 2013 Novara Randonee, 1990 Trek 970
Mentioned: 32 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2100 Post(s)
Liked 2,090 Times
in
1,290 Posts
I believe the logo seat with shocks was a "Krate" item and the Rays had the cross stripes, but I'm no Schwinn guru.
#12
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2021
Location: Houston area
Posts: 246
Bikes: 1961 Higgins Flightliner
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 68 Post(s)
Liked 100 Times
in
69 Posts
Beautiful bike. What do you plan to do with the 20" wheeled Stingray? Flip it?. Let the kids ride it? Mount it on the wall in your man cave?
The 20" wheeled stingrays look the best, and hold value the best, but most of us can't ride them.
The 20" wheeled stingrays look the best, and hold value the best, but most of us can't ride them.
#13
Tortoise Wins by a Hare!
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Looney Tunes, IL
Posts: 7,397
Bikes: Wabi Special FG, Raleigh Roper, Nashbar AL-1, Miyata One Hundred, '70 Schwinn Lemonator and More!!
Mentioned: 21 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1546 Post(s)
Liked 926 Times
in
499 Posts
That'll polish up quite nice. Good job!
#14
Forum Moderator
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Kalamazoo MI
Posts: 20,376
Bikes: Fuji SL2.1 Carbon Di2 Cannondale Synapse Alloy 4 Trek Checkpoint ALR gravel Viscount Aerospace Pro Schwinn Paramount PDG 5 Colnago Classic Rabobank
Mentioned: 51 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2741 Post(s)
Liked 4,398 Times
in
2,622 Posts
Likes For cb400bill:
#15
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2021
Location: Houston area
Posts: 246
Bikes: 1961 Higgins Flightliner
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 68 Post(s)
Liked 100 Times
in
69 Posts
Here is a Schwinn serial no. reference for the 1970s. It will tell you the month and year.
There are some other sources on that site that can help with which parts are original equipment.
https://thecabe.com/forum/pages/Schw...Numbers_70-82/
There are some other sources on that site that can help with which parts are original equipment.
https://thecabe.com/forum/pages/Schw...Numbers_70-82/
#16
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Thank you for all the info! I'm going to check out thecabe.com now!
PS - I am definitely going to flip it! (then take that money & go look for more cool stuff - this same week from same store I got a Scott Contessa Speedster (aluminum with carbon fork) for $79; I think because half the spokes were broken but otherwise perfect - I swapped them out with a set of mavics and posted it on ebay yesterday for $795obo!)
PS - I am definitely going to flip it! (then take that money & go look for more cool stuff - this same week from same store I got a Scott Contessa Speedster (aluminum with carbon fork) for $79; I think because half the spokes were broken but otherwise perfect - I swapped them out with a set of mavics and posted it on ebay yesterday for $795obo!)
#17
Extraordinary Magnitude
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Waukesha WI
Posts: 13,025
Bikes: 1978 Trek TX700; 1978/79 Trek 736; 1984 Specialized Stumpjumper Sport; 1984 Schwinn Voyageur SP; 1985 Trek 620; 1985 Trek 720; 1986 Trek 400 Elance; 1987 Schwinn High Sierra; 1990 Miyata 1000LT
Mentioned: 79 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2367 Post(s)
Liked 1,013 Times
in
598 Posts
Absolutely would have kept the Marantz. A collectable receiver that has use beyond being a collectible.
I've got a 2325 and 2238.
Stereo April 2020 by Dave The Golden Boy, on Flickr
I've got a 2325 and 2238.

__________________
*Recipient of the 2006 Time Magazine "Person Of The Year" Award*
Commence to jigglin’ huh?!?!
"But hey, always love to hear from opinionated amateurs." -says some guy to Mr. Marshall.
Commence to jigglin’ huh?!?!
"But hey, always love to hear from opinionated amateurs." -says some guy to Mr. Marshall.
Likes For The Golden Boy:
#18
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Maryland, USA
Posts: 1,667
Bikes: Drysdale/Gitane/Zeus/Masi/Falcon/Palo Alto
Mentioned: 28 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 600 Post(s)
Liked 237 Times
in
173 Posts
Probably delivers notes my poor ears have never heard.

__________________
Larry:1958 Drysdale, 1961 Gitane Gran Sport, 1974 Zeus track, 1988 Masi Gran Corsa, 1974 Falcon, 1980 Palo Alto. Susan: 1976 Windsor Profesional.
Larry:1958 Drysdale, 1961 Gitane Gran Sport, 1974 Zeus track, 1988 Masi Gran Corsa, 1974 Falcon, 1980 Palo Alto. Susan: 1976 Windsor Profesional.
#19
www.theheadbadge.com
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Southern Florida
Posts: 26,813
Bikes: https://www.theheadbadge.com
Mentioned: 81 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1656 Post(s)
Liked 2,033 Times
in
1,154 Posts
#20
Philosopher of Bicycling
It is entirely beyond my comprehension that anyone would trade that extremely high quality piece of audio equipment for an obsolete bicycle. I thought all day about this, and I tried to just let it go because different strokes, etc.
But no. It was wrong.
But no. It was wrong.
Likes For DeadGrandpa:
#21
Senior Member
You did good on that trade. The Marantz is a decent solid state amp from the 1970's A powerful workhorse with a phono stage but nothing super special. There's a ton of them around. Besides, I could never be happy with those cheesy speaker wire binder boxes instead of proper screwdown posts. Sorry - I'm an audiophil
The Marantz is cool but not nearly as neat or collectible as the Stingray.

Last edited by Biketiger; 01-24-21 at 08:51 PM.
Likes For Biketiger:
#22
Forum Moderator
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Kalamazoo MI
Posts: 20,376
Bikes: Fuji SL2.1 Carbon Di2 Cannondale Synapse Alloy 4 Trek Checkpoint ALR gravel Viscount Aerospace Pro Schwinn Paramount PDG 5 Colnago Classic Rabobank
Mentioned: 51 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2741 Post(s)
Liked 4,398 Times
in
2,622 Posts
Marantz did not make many 4270 quad receivers.
Likes For cb400bill:
#23
Let your bike be the tool
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: NC/SC border
Posts: 893
Bikes: '66 Raleigh Carlton, '70 Ron Cooper, '95 Bianchi CD'I, Zonal Frame with Xenon gruppo, Carbon Frame with Record Gruppo, Columbia Twosome, Terry Classic, Bianchi SX, Gravity SS/FG
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 255 Post(s)
Liked 210 Times
in
125 Posts
I don't get this fascination with recent Marantz audio equipment


__________________
Never try to teach a pig to sing...
Never try to teach a pig to sing...
Likes For cranky old road:
#25
Forum Moderator
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Kalamazoo MI
Posts: 20,376
Bikes: Fuji SL2.1 Carbon Di2 Cannondale Synapse Alloy 4 Trek Checkpoint ALR gravel Viscount Aerospace Pro Schwinn Paramount PDG 5 Colnago Classic Rabobank
Mentioned: 51 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2741 Post(s)
Liked 4,398 Times
in
2,622 Posts
I don't know about that. 4270's have recently sold on Ebay for $660 to $1250 and that is without the wood case. And one of those cases recently sold on Ebay for $260 alone.