What kind of bike is this?
 

Here is a newbie question for you: Does anyone know what kind of bike this is and from what year? Any info on this bike would be helpful. When dismanlting it, the handle bars say schwinn and inside the pedal where the lube is says schwinn. I am stripping this bike and will be repainting it. The original color beneath the black paint and rust looks to be red. Thanks!!

Shaun

I'd say it's a Schwinn Manta Ray (are they 26" wheels?)...but without any specifics I can't be sure.

Schwinn made the stingray back in the 60-70's and it was a HUGE hit. In fact, they're coming back now. They also made bigger versions for fat kids (ok, older kids) that were called (I believe) Manta Rays.

That crankset looks to be Schwinn for sure but the seat is wrong, it would have had a banana with "sissy bars".

Search ebay for Schwinn Manta Ray and see what you get. If there's nothing there search for stingray and see the little version (20" wheels). Also, search Google and find a devoted fan site. Or, go to Schwinn bikes online, I guarantee there will be something about them on there.

Try this link: http://www.firstflightbikes.com/stingray.htm

Hope this helps.
PJ

I think maybe it is Schwinn? Did you find it laying on concrete like in picture?

Nope I found it in a home that I am about to demo. The rear forks have a serial number with one letter and then numbers after it. It seemed to me after looking for Schwinn serial numbers that they have 2 letters followed by numbers. Here are 2 more pictures of the bike that will hopefully help in figuring out this bike. And yes I believe that it does have 26" wheels. I have many pictures and can take more so please let me know what picture would help. Thanks!

also, is this where i find the serial number??

No, this where you find serial number.

Not on a vintage Schwinn. I may be wrong, but I believe serial #'s were usually on the rear drop-out.

PJ

Its a schwinn middleweight, typhoon or hevyduti 70s.

A bike that needs lots or work, that's what kind.

This is the serial number that I found. Any more help? Also, what is a middleweight, or heavy duty 70's bike? I am very new to vintage bike, so I need guidance.

The bike was made on 1/21/63.
You can verify this for yourself by going to;

http://www.angelfire.com/rant/allday...innCodes3.html

For more info on Schwinn serial numbers and locations you can visit;

http://www.bunchobikes.com/serialnumber.htm

THAT IS GOOD NEWS AND THANKS! NOW I KNOW THE YEAR, SO HOW ABOUT WHAT TYPE?

Well, it looks to me to be a 63 typhoon from what people have told me, but the crank looks wrong. The crank came on speedter models. Anyone know if this crank set came on the typhoon aswell? I am refering to the crankset on the bike i posted above just to clarify. Thanks!

Schwinn didn't use this type of chain ring in 1963. Looks like the "mag" style that started in the late sixties I believe. A previous owner probably put it on the bike because he/she liked it. Easy job to do. Schwinn made a lot of bikes for the '63 model year that used this frame. Without the chainguard(which had the model name on it, it's impossible as far as I know to tell which model it was. Could have been Corvette, American, Deluxe American, Fleet, Hornet, or Typhoon.

Yep, 1963 Middleweight frame with a chainring from a later Schwinn.
Have a look at the 1963 Schwinns in our vintage bicycle picture database. You'll probably be able to figure out what model it is.

Menotomy Vintage Bicycles, Inc.
http://OldRoads.com

I read those are the first frameworks raced mtb, other designs failed and until Richey and Breeze figured the 'new geometry' Breeze kept some of this curve tube design.
I think it's a sweet metal sculpture.

A suggestion-strip and chrome it. flat out it's rusty, acid dip (cleans ALL the metal), then chrome.

I can provide a pic I think, also the front suspension bar\spring fork thingers are being re manufactured.

Way cool daddy-o.

where did you get your extended spring-forks from? I love your bike and would like to know more about the parts on it, cost, and where to get them from. Thanks!

http://bikerodnkustom2.homestead.com/links.html

Not my bike, one I posted previous. I'll try to find specific links.
Jef.

http://www.bikerodnkustom3.homestead...allery177.html E-mail him, or go exploring.


http://www.bicycledesigner.com

The bicycledesigner\ hit parts then forks.




Peace>jef.

ok lots of answers here i have a manta ray and a speedster in my living room fully restored that is a speedster sprocket not a manta ray i dont think that your bike is a manta ray. you showed interest in the "lowrider" above theres a huge market and lifestyle around these bikes lowrider bike magazine is the best source for what the newest custom mods are going down. i suggest lovelylowrider.com and aztlanbikes.com for the extended forks and custom dayton wheels
any questions feel free to e mail me

TRDshaunTRD - The owners website- to the door..

http://www.unit33.com/coronets/

click 'bikemen' then Mike Roush pics.