Schwinn Krate / Muscle Bike Collection - April 2020

Some things have changed in the size of my collection so I wanted to do an update video. I show what Krates I’ve kept, changes I’ve made, and answer a few frequently asked questions.
Thanks for the view!

[@01surge24]

I had a green krate with a high sissy bar on it when I was a kid. In 1972 a friend of the family gave it to me…I was 11…I left it outside…it was stolen…I only had it for a few days..today yeah I own a 1970 Chevelle my dream car..but I’ll always remember the chopper I had as a kid…it lead to a lot of motorcycles in my life also.

[@stuartb9323]

68 Charger...very cool project 😎 Are you posting any videos of her?

[@tklykun9858]

I have a BRAND NEW ORIGINAL 1970 Cotton Picker 5speed NEVER EVER been ridden it has never rolled on concrete . Over the years when I move it I carry it and walk it only on carpet. It has the tool kit bag , Stingray speedometer and headlight ,the triple horn, baseball bat holder that is still in the box . Streamers , rear reflector (2) sets of pedals w/and w/o the mandatory reflectors . I figure its the only brand new Cotton Picker in the world. It still has the paper warranty and info tag hanging on it. Around 20 years ago I changed the inner tubes because the original ones to my surprise disintegrated . Its in my bedroom closet under a custom cover. I appreciate your passion for these bikes and I want you to know that you never know what can turn up unexpectantly . In 1970 I was in high school and driving a 6 year old corvette that I bought from a Chevy dealership for $1800.I hope your Mopar project is progressing well stay safe and God bless.

[@tonyengland9744]

Schwinn had over 15 options in shop for this bike. Love them.

[@ReddingCT70]

Starting Line ups are a must. Good Call on not depleting one of every make. These are tru icons. Good Job

[@jhnfrrguto]

Excellent video. Vary informative. You answered all my questions before I even a asked them. Thanks.

[@keithskustoms2311]

Awesome collection!!

[@frankstipes4114]

Great group of bikes

[@JacobAnaya369]

Love it man! I’d love to have that lineup!

[@BigBishop1]

love your page i was a collector in the early 80's in san diego information was scarce i just bought all i could find just to make 2 good ones for my sons...they hated them they wanted diamondbacks!

[@thomasmoje5926]

Great collection. I didn't know color-coordinated tires were available..really cool. And I wondered why the 'Krate re-issues' do not have the derailleur rear end with the frame-mount stick shift until I found out the stick shift was 'outlawed' some years ago. (lawsuit paranoia?) Just picked up a Schwinn Classic Sting Ray Schwinn 125th Anniversary edition: blue/silver with the dished white sparkle/blue 'S' logo with racing stripe seat. When I was a kid many years ago the Schwinn Sting Ray was 'the' bike to have (especially the Fast Back and Krate versions) and this adult is a kid again after many years of wanting a Schwinn Sting Ray. The Krate re-issue by Pacific Cycle is pretty cool but too rich for my taste so I settled for the plain Sting Ray version..fun to bop around town on.

[@wesleysept6536]

1972 was the year I was born. I'd really like that lemon peeler! Any of them really, but that lemon peeler forget about it deadly!

[@stuckinthepast5537]

Love your bikes wish I could find one.

[@Toolman22364]

My neighbor worked at Schwinn in Chicago. 2 of his sons had a krate bike , was about 1969 1971

[@douglasboyce4627]

Love it.

[@rudypoo4370]

Paint the outside of the foam protectors to match the color of the bike

[@snowdiddley4634]

Nice!

[@GoodTimeBikes]

What kind of car did you buy? It would be nice to see a video on the car! Hoping to see some new videos from ya in the warm season this year 👍🏼

[@TLricks]

Nice 👍 72 was a good year that's the year i was born lol

[@choward5430]

Wow!

[@frankstipes4114]

I have a 1964 violet , Sting ray; a black Ramshorn ; an Orange Krate ; a blue 5 speed sting ray and a ; japan sting ray dark violet.... All but the last are original mine since new

[@edwinthompson159]

If you don't mind I would like your opinion; What ballpark value would you put on an original Grey Ghost -- everything is original, chrome is clean, paint is darn nice. I am like you, I like it original, and this one I am looking at is as nice as the one on Ebay now that they are asking $6K for ( I hope he gets it!) -- thanks, I appreciate your input.

[@johnwilkerson2195]

Looking for a 68, thru 72' stingray krate had one as a kid in the mid 70s love your bikes

[@dkcarroll13]

Will you make a video on your early stuff?

[@stupidloser]

I like your vids upload more please!

[@BigBishop1]

i still have a blue 70 5 speed with krate springer and 16 inch drum brake basically a blue krate

[@richcar3434]

Always a treat to see these iconic gems...now then...what's the dream car that made you thin the heard?...

[@Beastly82Fox]

68 Charger. It’s currently getting its body work done, it was the definition of a project.

[@richcar3434]

@@Beastly82Fox You sir have excellent taste!..I love that year most , for the tailights and that full sinister grille! ..I've got a 68 framed (pieced together) Pea Picker, and a 67 GTO to fill my desires...but 68 Chargers rock!...hope it turns out great!

[@stuartb9323]

Thanks rich, as a car guy myself, I was wondering the same thing 🤔 68 Charger...very cool ride 😎

[@michaelwiacek6727]

Great lineup! I have a ‘69 lemon I’m trying to find a NOS yellow grasshopper. Do you have any leads you could share? Thanks!

[@Mancamp1000]

Maybe you can answer a question who made a cougar stick shift x500 with a t-shaped shifter and a Archer 3-speed rear hub

[@MrDjh66]

So the forks don’t hit and scratch frame

[@approachingtarget.4503]

Ever find a captain America version? Blue frame and red metallic seat with white trim and white stars on frame?

[@delta0921]

Great bike collection! I'm old school and grew up in the 70s and love the Krate bikes. I have a question, what would you estimate the value of these bikes (each) in today's market? (2020)

[@Beastly82Fox]

Hard to say just because each bike is different in condition and additional accessories that can add value to the bikes. If I had to throw values out on these based on what I see through eBay and other pages, I’d probably value the Cotton and Ghost around $1500/each and the other 4 at about $2000 each. But like anything it all depends on condition and who wants it bad enough.

[@frankstipes4114]

Where can I get those tires for mine?

[@jebbthetrainkid1281]

Hello. Can you tell me where you got the Colored Slicks at? Thank you very much.

[@yungsone9607]

I have a red apple krate I got from a sale. It came with rear brakes is that original or not?

[@JacobAnaya369]

Not a fan of the Stingray “Coppertone”? That would look mighty nice in that collection?

[@curtbrooks7495]

I have a very nice all original Cotton picker any idea on the value

[@leehenderson8132]

Had me a lemon crate.

[@kevinshea3991]

It would be interesting to hear comments from anyone who worked at Schwinn back then when these bikes were manufactured.

[@samuelcortez8540]

Can you make a restoration vid of one of these?

[@7rays]

What is the thing that looks like a sleeve of gray foam that’s wrapped around the down tube just below where it meets with the head tube? I see it on a lot of bikes and I just don’t know what it is. Thanks!

[@smitty_5939]

Most likey they have it there so when they turn too far the forks don't chip the paint on the frame. I might be wrong, but I've seen those on a lot of lowrider show bikes as well.

[@stupidloser]

Schwinn krates have a problem with the springer fork hitting the frame

[@frankstipes4114]

Do you sell those cool colored tires?

[@Usillee23]

Do you have a website for any of your bikes for sale?

[@emilianojimenez5208]

Excelente bicicletas

[@MrPhotodoc]

Those would go for big money in Japan.

[@mortonbeard2240]

A balled-up piece of aluminum foil will allow you to clean your chrome of some of that rust.

[@firedemon2166]

Do you know where I can get a full speedometer set up like that?

[@Beastly82Fox]

Best bet is to just watch eBay or join some Sting-Ray based pages on Facebook. They’re pricey and to my knowledge no one remakes the speedo head.

[@edwinthompson159]

Very informative. Curious: What car did you get that made you part with so many bikes?

[@Beastly82Fox]

1968 Charger. It needed restored so sold off the bikes to buy the car and get things started.

[@edwinthompson159]

@@Beastly82Fox Very nice -- you need to a video series of it's restoration.

[@Mancamp1000]

Does not have a lowrider suspension in front does have a y-shaped kickstand

[@rickpedia6724]

whats the difference between a krate bike and a non krate bike?

[@Beastly82Fox]

Krates are a sub-category of the Schwinn Sting-Ray. Their look and parts they feature are not offered in the same fashion as any other Sting-Ray. The easiest way to try and describe it would be to say that the Krate is the most deluxe optioned stingray you could get.

[@teagzy07]

So if you were to ride these how do you keep the original seat in good shape

[@Beastly82Fox]

Short answer is find a seat you don’t care about and switch it out when you want to ride one lol. In all honesty, saving original seats means not riding them most of the time. The vinyl gets brittle and easily cracks under stress. Most collectors that do ride their bikes will often buy a restored seat recovered with new vinyl that mirrors the original color and stripe of what the bike had.

[@obeddiaz3157]

I have a schwinn apple krate but I'm having trouble knowing what year it's from ... The serial number is jak12433... Badge number is 2888

[@stuckinthepast5537]

It could be a repop

[@matthewsmith1331]

Where do you find the tire like these at ?

[@Beastly82Fox]

Sorry I never saw this, the tires are made by Good Year and we’re accessory tires back in the days of muscle bikes. They can be found on eBay every now and then.

[@jaylongton]

Can you do a video about the original parts on your bikes verses the fakes people are trying to sell? Ty

[@Mancamp1000]

Front and rear fenders are crimped not rounded all the frame tubes are sleeved

[@joejackson9546]

Do you think the rarity of the Cotton Picker might be because the 'taboo' name?

[@Beastly82Fox]

I don’t think it’s around the name as it was the color. There wasn’t anything flashy about a white frame compared to the other colors available. It showed scratches easily and as bad as it would be to say it, the name was not viewed in the same fashion in the 60s as it probably is now.

[@BigBishop1]

@@Beastly82Fox i've read it was the naacp was offended. could be b.s.tho.

[@Vinicius-Tv9]

where can i buy one of these

[@Beastly82Fox]

eBay or Facebook groups dedicated to the bikes is a good place to look.

[@yourmicrowave9062]

How do you get creates I’m 12 I alway wanted a grey gohst or a apple create

[@andrewpletz646]

Well last year (I was 12) I found a 2006 schwinn manta ray in my neighbors trash sure it’s not an original but it’s still a sick bike I get a lot of weird looks as I ride, when I found it the bike had no wheels and part of the rear fork was missing along with tons of rust, I took it back to my house and I then found a 12” wheel and tire for the front and a 20” by 3 1/2 inch wheel for the back on eBay I welded a new frame piece on and mounted rim brakes, the bike rides great... for a cheeper bike to find this is what I would go with some you can find for about $600 online out of the box new I know it’s not the original but it could still get your collection of stingrays started

[@stuckinthepast5537]

Same I'm 15 I been looking for one for four years! It's been hard to find one. I have found some muscle bicycles but not a schiwnn.

[@jacobsedor1269]

Are any of these Krates for sale?

[@Beastly82Fox]

Sorry not looking to move any of these currently.

[@Ploobstill]

Too bad you can't find the front wheel colors too

[@cristianserafinoff]

I love old bike I got couple old bikeI got 2 banana sit bike but low rider classic I got 1952 small bike and 2 1970 rubber tired bike old I still love have more bike I'm gonna put them on a car show this 2021 may 1👍

[@dondenis1500]

Why do you take the pedals off?

[@Beastly82Fox]

It’s mentioned in the video but primarily for storage reasoning.

[@stuckinthepast5537]

I do the same

[@MariaGarcia-nc4ng]

How much is one worth

[@Beastly82Fox]

Depending on year, originality and condition a pretty standard price starting out is around $1000 with some ranging all the way up past $3000

[@firstf9406]

อยากปั่นสักครั้ง ผมเป็นเด็กที่บ้านไม่ได้ร่ำรวยที่จะซื้อมาขี่

[@kiyonboss1156]

If you have any for sale please let me know

[@firstf9406]

อยากได้

[@manolis7738]

What’s up buddy. I would love to talk. I have the complete collection of krates with my father in law

[@obeddiaz3157]

What year would JAK12431 serial number be .. could you help lol

[@petecsizmar9528]

What year is MF ?

[@Beastly82Fox]

M = December / F = 1970

[@ImTHATguy...]

So I've got a made in December 1969 Orange Krate, serial number starts with "ME" and is on the rear wheel dropout. Schwinn pages gave me the serial # decode. It's all original except it has a yellow line Schwinn Slik rear tire. Would this bike be considered a 1970 and have the Slik with the raised white letters (which I DO have one) or would it have the orange line "Gripper Slik" that the 69's came with?

[@Beastly82Fox]

To my belief the bike should have the raised white letter slik as well as all the other 1970 model features. Just as with cars, production on the next model year started late in the year. Typically November they would change from the current year to the next…

[@ImTHATguy...]

@@Beastly82Fox That's kind of what I figured. Thanks for getting back to me! Awesome collection btw

[@michael61985]

Must have sold all his bikes since he hasn't been active

[@Beastly82Fox]

I’m active but haven’t posted any new videos because nothing has changed with the collection and the weather is still iffy where I am. I still have all the bikes in the video from above but adding more is a challenge. Prices are up and more people are interested than ever.

[@michael61985]

@@Beastly82Fox i see thank you for the update

[@jaylongton]

Your Gray Ghost is a 1970 not a 71.

[@Beastly82Fox]

Sorry but BG is the correct code for February/1971. I explain the decoding process towards the end of the video. The Grey Ghost was a single production year bike that was made in 1971 only. You could have a 1970 dated frame for a Grey Ghost, however, the model year of the bike would still be considered a 1971.

[@jaylongton]

@@Beastly82Fox You're right, I'm sorry, I missed a year. Are you going to do a video on authentic Krate parts? I haven't been able to find one on KZbin and I really want to make sure the Krate I'm buying has all original parts, such as derailleur, handle bars, rear shocks, etc. Ty.

[@MrDjh66]

Please sell me the cotton

[@Ss-lp2ws]

Alguien que hable español que me diga como se llaman esas bicicletas?