1978 Schwinn Stingray Bought On ebay - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Fleet · 12-06-2008, 04:31 AM

I was the winning bidder for a 1978 Schwinn Stingray up for auction on ebay. Almost all-original; the only non-original item I can see on it is the rear tire.

The seller referred to it as a "1976," but I did some research on the Internet and discovered it was built in 1978. The first two digits of the serial number reveals the build date. "DP" means it was built in April, 1978 and "DM" means April, 1976. Mine has the "DP." But Stingrays differed very little from 1976-'78 and even from 1974-'78.

Here are some photos I took:
The last two pics show my other bikes. From left to right, 2006 Schwinn Stingray reproduction, 1978 Schwinn Stingray, 1974 Schwinn dirt bike (which I built in '74 using a Schwinn frame and various parts like rims, seat, handlebars, etc).

Zoneboy · 12-06-2008, 05:07 AM

Wasn't it the Stingray that had a shifter similar to this one I found in the mud while doing some metal detecing?

Fleet · 12-06-2008, 05:24 AM

Yes, the 3- and 5-speeds, I believe.

I have actually seen several on ebay... '60s and '70s.

I liked how Schwinn changed the wording... "Stik" shift and "Slik" rear tire!

TJL · 12-06-2008, 09:14 AM

Nice collection. Schwinn made some cool bikes back then.

MonarC · 12-06-2008, 10:35 AM

Awesome bikes!

janet42 · 12-06-2008, 12:57 PM

Nice collection of bikes. They seem to be in very good shape.

Doodyville10019 · 12-06-2008, 07:33 PM

NICE BIKES!!! Haven't seen the bananna seat since I was in high school! Always thought that style (combined with the stick shift) looked awesome! Congrats!

Fleet · 12-06-2008, 09:36 PM

Thanks, TJL, MonarC and janet42.

I agree, Doody, I always liked those banana seats. Unlike the saddles on racing bikes, you could choose how far back you want to sit with a banana seat. Incidentally, banana seats measure 18" long and are 5" wide at the maximum point of width.

TJL · 12-09-2008, 09:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fleet

Thanks, TJL, MonarC and janet42.

I agree, Doody, I always liked those banana seats. Unlike the saddles on racing bikes, you could choose how far back you want to sit with a banana seat. Incidentally, banana seats measure 18" long and are 5" wide at the maximum point of width.

The first 20" bike I had came with a banana seat. So much easier to learn how to do wheelies.

ponytail · 12-10-2008, 06:55 AM

Growing up in the 60's my brother had a Schwinn Stingray. All the boys had them. They are one cool bike. I wish we had kept it.

12-06-2008, 04:31 AM	#1
Fleet Mansions, limousines & H-ween Forum Star Join Date: Jan 06, 2002 Location: Northridge/Porter Ranch, California Posts: 15,625	1978 Schwinn Stingray Bought On ebay I was the winning bidder for a 1978 Schwinn Stingray up for auction on ebay. Almost all-original; the only non-original item I can see on it is the rear tire. The seller referred to it as a "1976," but I did some research on the Internet and discovered it was built in 1978. The first two digits of the serial number reveals the build date. "DP" means it was built in April, 1978 and "DM" means April, 1976. Mine has the "DP." But Stingrays differed very little from 1976-'78 and even from 1974-'78. Here are some photos I took: The last two pics show my other bikes. From left to right, 2006 Schwinn Stingray reproduction, 1978 Schwinn Stingray, 1974 Schwinn dirt bike (which I built in '74 using a Schwinn frame and various parts like rims, seat, handlebars, etc). Attached Images
	__________________ 1976 Cadillac Fleetwood Seventy-Five Limousine.

12-06-2008, 05:07 AM	#2
Zoneboy RIP, I'LL NEVER FORGET YOU :( Moderator Forum Superstar Join Date: Jul 13, 2003 Location: AT HOME WISHING ALL THIS WAS JUST A DREAM AND THAT I'LL WAKE UP FROM THIS NIGHTMARE. Posts: 34,429	Wasn't it the Stingray that had a shifter similar to this one I found in the mud while doing some metal detecing?
	__________________ 'Twas The Night Before Christmas And All Through The Full House Not A Creature Was Stirring, Not Even Mighty Mouse. All My Children We're Nestled All Snug In Their Beds While Visions Of Sugarbakers Danced In Their Heads.

12-06-2008, 09:14 AM	#4
TJL Suburbanite Extrordinaire Forum Star Join Date: Dec 29, 2001 Location: New Jersey - the cradle of civilization Posts: 16,588	Nice collection. Schwinn made some cool bikes back then.
	__________________ "I think I'll stroll up to the front to see how the shooting's going..." - Capt. Benjamin Franklin "Hawkeye" Pierce Read my blogs! http://centralparkamisguide.com/ http://dvdcriticscorner.com Visit me on Facebook!http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=641138880 Hey, I do the tweet thing too! http://twitter.com/TomLevier My shop of handmade items! http://www.etsy.com/shop/ColdGarageCreations

12-06-2008, 07:33 PM	#7
Doodyville10019 Meet my new friend Sparkie! Forum Regular Join Date: Oct 08, 2008 Location: Competition Square, located in Doodyville Park Posts: 877	NICE BIKES!!! Haven't seen the bananna seat since I was in high school! Always thought that style (combined with the stick shift) looked awesome! Congrats!
	__________________ Hi! Hey! Hello again, here we go again!

12-06-2008, 05:24 AM	#3
Fleet Mansions, limousines & H-ween Forum Star Join Date: Jan 06, 2002 Location: Northridge/Porter Ranch, California Posts: 15,625	Yes, the 3- and 5-speeds, I believe. I have actually seen several on ebay... '60s and '70s. I liked how Schwinn changed the wording... "Stik" shift and "Slik" rear tire!

12-06-2008, 10:35 AM	#5
MonarC The truth will set you free Forum Fanatic Join Date: Dec 05, 2002 Location: 3rd Stone From The Sun Posts: 9,525	Awesome bikes!

12-06-2008, 12:57 PM	#6
janet42 Three's Company Fan! Senior Member Join Date: Feb 22, 2007 Location: Indiana Posts: 1,757	Nice collection of bikes. They seem to be in very good shape.

12-06-2008, 09:36 PM	#8
Fleet Mansions, limousines & H-ween Forum Star Join Date: Jan 06, 2002 Location: Northridge/Porter Ranch, California Posts: 15,625	Thanks, TJL, MonarC and janet42. I agree, Doody, I always liked those banana seats. Unlike the saddles on racing bikes, you could choose how far back you want to sit with a banana seat. Incidentally, banana seats measure 18" long and are 5" wide at the maximum point of width.

12-10-2008, 06:55 AM	#10
ponytail Member Forum 4000 Club Member Join Date: Mar 20, 2004 Location: In Happy, Healthy, Wealthyville Posts: 4,273	Growing up in the 60's my brother had a Schwinn Stingray. All the boys had them. They are one cool bike. I wish we had kept it.