MOMBAT: Stingray Bike Museum

Stingray Bike Museum

Below are some pictures and details of the Stingray bikes that we house as part of the MOMBAT collection. These bikes are not for sale. The bikes and parts we currently have for sale can be found on the MOMBAT for sale page.

Click on image to begin a slideshow of each bike.

	Schwinn Krates: The Krate series bikes were made from 1968 through 1973 and featured 5 speed Stik Shifters, seat shocks, front drum brakes, 20"/16" wheels with a spring fork. Over the years, specifications varied slightly and there was even a coaster brake version available. During the 5 year run, 6 colors were available. Certain colors were only made during part of the model run and one example of each color can be seen below.
	Schwinn Orange Krate: Not sure about the relative number of Krates made per model but we have had more Orange Krates than any other color. We purchased this bike from the original owner. In 1964, he received a 24" wheeled Schwinn Fleet but wanted a Krate. He later received this bike but was actually a little too big for the bike by the time he got it. Because of that, this bike was lightly used and is in great condition.
	Schwinn Grey Ghost Krate: The Grey Ghost was only produced in 1971 which may make it the least common Krate. The grey color was the base coat for the candy green (Pea Picker) and candy red (Apple Krate) colors. This bike was found on a scrap heap and the chain guard was facing down which was facing down which preserved the graphics. The rest of the frame was in rough shape and was repainted.
	Schwinn Cotton Picker Krate: The Cotton Picker was only made in 1970 and 1971 making it one of the harder to find bikes. Imagine walking into the Schwinn dealer as a kid and picking between orange, yellow, candy apple red or............white. Most kids would pick one of the flashy colors. This bike has been restored including a repaint.
	Schwinn Lemon Peeler Krate: This Lemon Peeler actually came in the front door of the shop. It was in a house that was being cleaned out and it was rescued by one of the workers and brought in. It still has the original saddle which is somewhat unusual since they often split over time. This bike also features a functioning rear Disc Brake which was only found on the 1972 and 1973 models.
	Schwinn Pea Picker Krate: The 1969 Krates still used the wider handlebars and had a couple of unique features. The shifter knob was bent over at 90 degrees and the rear Gripper Slick was color matched to the frame.
	Schwinn Schwinn Apple Krate: The Krates were the top of the line Stingray models and were available from 1968-1973. This one has a re-covered seat and the rear Disc Brake. The discs weren't the most effective brakes so it is fairly common to see the discs removed and a caliper brake added to the rear.
	Schwinn Fastback: The Fastback was introduced in 1966 as the lighter, more agile Stingray. The 20 x 1 3/8" tires (slick rear) were lighter and a little taller than the standard 20" Stingray wheels. This is a 5 speed version and features the MAG sprocket and glitter ribbed red saddle.
	Iverson Drag Stripper: The Stelber bicycle manufacturing company was looking for something to set them apart from the other muscle bikes, enter George Barris. Barris was the famous car customer who designed and built many of the iconic customs of the day including the original Batmobile. The top tube mimics a car exhaust pipe while the chain guard conjures up images of a car grille. The 3 speed stick shifter and racing stripe seat are also inspired by custom cars. Even the Drag Stripper name comes from the car culture.
	Raleigh Rampar R-5: The Rampar line was typically the entry level bikes from Raleigh (may have been Raleigh America Parts). Most of the Rampar models we BMX bikes and entry level adult bikes but they also made the R-5 model which was a motorcycle-inspired bicycle. These were similar to the Yamaha Moto Bikes from a decade earlier with motorcycle-type suspension from and rear. Rampar took it one step further and added a plastic "gas" tank.
	Sears Screamer 2: Sears saw the rising popularity of muscle bikes and had Murray make the Screamer series to compete with Schwinn Stingray. The Screamer featured a wedge shaped frame with a 20" slick rear tire and a 16" front tire. The "2" model used an internal Sturmey Archer 3 speed with console shifter while the "1" model used a 5 speed derailleur system. This one is painted a candy red to gold fade with butterfly type handlebars covered in gold handlebar tape. One interesting spec is the double back brakes mounted to the same bracket but controlled by separate brake levers. Speedo shows 325.2 miles so it did see some use!
	Schwinn Manta Ray: The Manta Ray used 24" x 1 /38" tires and a unique banana seat. It was sold as the "big kids" Stingray. Only offered for 2 years, it wasn't a big seller. Four colors were offered and, in 1972, coaster brake single speeds were offered and the 5 speed bike gained a rear disc brake. This bike is pretty clean and includes a NOS rear tire.
	Ross Apollo: The Apollo was the muscle bike entry from Ross. This five speed has the Shimano FFS (Front Freewheeling System) which moves the freewheel mechanism from the rear freewheel to the crank. This allowed for the bike to be shifted while coasting but was heavier and more complicated. The system was only used by a handful of companies on a few models. The frame has a pair of small round top tubes and twin rectangular down tubes that connect the head tube to the rear drop outs.
	Raleigh Chopper Mk II: The Chopper was the British answer to the American muscle bike. The "Arrow Wedge" frame design had a large down tube that ran from the head tube to the rear drop outs. The MK II frame featured a bent set of rear tubes and a T handle shifter. This one is the popular Ultra Violet color. The Sturmey Archer 3 speed internal hub is controlled by a console mounted T handle shifter. Check out the seat springs on the seat strut which are purely decorative! The MK II also went to a welded non-adjustable handlebar and stem combo. The rear spoke protector was supposed to imitate a rear disc brake which was found on some Schwinn models.
	Schwinn Ram's Horn Fastback: The Fastback was introduced in 1966 as the lighter weight and nimbler handling Stingray. The Ram's Horn version was introduced a year later. Besides the obvious handlebars, the bike also featured rat-trap pedals and a Ram's Horn decal on the chain guard. This bike has an aftermarket Schwinn seat that is not original to the bike but looks nicer than the original and was available at your local Schwinn dealer.
	1968 Schwinn Run A Bout: The Run A Bout was made for two years (1968-69) with the first year using the Stik Shifter and the second year using a thumb shifter for the 3 speed. The Run A Bout featured a mini Stingray frame with an extra long seat post and tall handlebars both of which included quick release levers to allow the bike to be fit into a car trunk.
	1971 Manta Ray: The Manta Ray was made for two years (1971 and 1972) and four colors (green, orange, silver, yellow). The tires are 24 x 1 3/8" and it used a specific larger saddle. It was sold by Schwinn as a "big kids bike" for the older larger/kid who wanted the Stingray experience. This is a 1971 with the caliper brake whereas the 1972 model used a rear disc brake.
	1966 Schwinn Fastback: First year Fastback with the one-year-only Sprint parts (derailleur and chain ring).The Fastback was introduced as a sportier version of the Stingray. It lost the extra cantilever frame bars and used a narrower 20 x 1 3/8" tire. The Fastback was eventually offered in 5 speed, 3 speed and coaster brake versions.
	1967 Schwinn Ram's Horn Fastback: The Ram's Horn took the regular Fastback and added the unique curly handlebars along with a rat trap style pedal. The chain guard also featured the Ram's Horn logo. The remainder of the bike was a standard Fastback with the 20 x 13/8" tires and glitter banana seat.
	1971 Manta Ray: The Manta Ray was made for two years (1971 and 1972) and four colors (green, orange, silver, yellow). The tires are 24 x 1 3/8" and it used a specific larger saddle. It was sold by Schwinn as a "big kids bike" for the older larger/kid who wanted the Stingray experience. This is a 1971 with the caliper brake whereas the 1972 model used a rear disc brake.
	1967 Schwinn Stingray Deluxe: Probably the cleanest Stingray we have had at the MOMBAT. One owner, local bike that appears to be completely original. The Deuxe model came with whitewall tires and chrome fenders. This particular model was equipped with a Sturmey Archer three speed internal hub controlled by a Stik Shifter.
	1999 Schwinn Grape Krate: The Grape Krate was often rumored to have been made back in the 1970's but the jury is still out as to whether it ever happened. In 1999, Schwinn produced 1,999 Grape Krates. They were coaster brake versions since the 5 speed shifter wouldn't work in today's litigious society! It originally came with a white glitter seat but this one was upgraded to the violet seat with offset white stripe.
	1976 Yamaha Moto Bike Model C. The Moto Bike was produced form 197-76 with subtle difference each year. This Model C example is form the last year. These would have been owned by the coolest kid on the block! Imagine showing up on a Yamaha while everyone ese had a regular BMX bikes. Pretty decent original example with mostly original parts.
	Sears Gremlin: With the success of the Schwinn Stingray, everyone wanted a piece of the action, Sears was no different. The bike featured a 3 speed console shifter, 16" front wheel, exhaust pipe chain guard and raised white letter tires. One interesting feature was the "captive" front spring in the fork that is for decoration only. The paint and chrome quality wasn't up to par with Schwinn but the lesser quality was reflected in the price.
	Raleigh Chopper girls: The girls were often left out of the muscle bike fun. Schwinn made a couple of Stingrays for the girls but they were definitely "girlie". Raleigh offered the Chopped in a girls version and it retained most of the features of the boys bike. They basically removed the top tubes and moved the shifter to the handlebar stem but kept everything else the same.