PeaceByJesus

I was given an old Stingray to give to one of the kids in this low income crowded city (they found out I will do free basic [still learning] bike fixing) or to sell it and buy a cheap new one (Walmart), and so i thought i would try the latter in case this one is worth more to someone else.

I searched for how to date the bike, and see here (https://www.bikeforums.net/archive/in.../t-248616.html) read that there is sppsd to be a headbadge is on the front of the bike where it says Schwinn w/ a four digit code, the last # being the year. Or there would be a four digit code preceded by a 2 letters.

However, the only numbers on the bike are stamped on the frame in the front below the headbadge that says Schwinn, and there are six, 044195. Also the rims say Schwinn tubular, S-7.

Does anyone know what these numbers mean as regards dating the bike? I have looked on the bottom of bike and elsewhere but see no other numbers.

Also, what do you think is a reasonable offer? See pics here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/1482239...7626954721598/ (had to use web cam).

The rims are true and the rear tire has good tread and says "Schwinn Stingray," and the front says Schwinn Westwind 20x1-3/4 so i presume they are original. It is is frozen in one gear, with the gearing being inside the hub, and i do not intend to try to fix that, and the shifter has been removed before it was given to me. The front brake works but the rear needs some fixing.

The fenders have rust, and the frame should be painted.

Thanks for any help.

Metacortex

Schwinn moved the serial number to the base of the headtube in '70 and began stamping headbadges with the bike assembly date in early '76, so lacking the badge number probably makes yours a '70 to early '76 model. Unfortunately the serial number you posted is incomplete, the number should start with two letters as pictured here (the letters indicate when the frame was made):



The example pictured here has a MRxxxxxx frame serial number, indicating the frame was made in December (M) of 1980 (R). Schwinn usually made frames a month or more before they built the actual bikes, so frames made late in the year are usually next year models. That is true in this case since this has a headbadge number of 1141 indicating the bike was built on the 114th day (Friday, April 24th) of 1981, obviously making it an '81 model Sting-Ray.

If it wasn't repainted your bike is probably a '70-'71 Fair Lady, which seems to be worth around $50 to $100.

PeaceByJesus

Thanks a lot. Perhaps it was repainted, and so i will try to scrape the paint off to see more numbers later.

PeaceByJesus

`Aha. I scraped some paint off and could see the letters KG quite clearly. If i have the code right that means Oct. 1971 going just by the letters. Guess i'll put it on Craigslists and see what its worth to someone. I had tried to sell the last (and only) vintage bike (58 English Birmingham) i had but no one showed interest, and then it was lost when i let one of the kids (not mine) borrow it to go to football practice, and he left it there.

But thanks muchly for your valuable help.

PeaceByJesus

And you hit the nail on the head with 71 Fair Lady.

Metacortex

KGxxxxxx is Oct. '71. Good luck with the sale of the Fair Lady! Let me know how it turns out.