60s Cadillac bike

[darwin]

This was the coolest bike you could get in the hood in the 60s/early 70s. I imagine for back then they were expensive. It was like owning a late 70s Firebird in High school, lol. 5 speed.

Vtg Schwinn Stingray Original 5sp( First YrThumb Shifter On Handlebar) Very Good | eBay

<p>Vtg Schwinn Stingray Original 5sp( First YrThumb Shifter On Handlebar) Very Good. Original paint has nicks and scratches from normal use. Chrome is mostly bright. Bike was in storage for years and will need tires & some minor mechanical attention before riding. Bike will be professionally...

www.ebay.com

 

[GW's Motorized]

That thing is wicked! I would love to strap a motor in one of those just for fun.

 

[DAMIEN1307]

That thing is wicked! I would love to strap a motor in one of those just for fun.

I had one of those when I was in the 4th and 5th grade in school...Back then they were known as "Spyder" bikes.

The handle bars were known as "Butterfly" handle bars.

And the seats were called "Banana" seats.

 

[darwin]

I had a knockoff almost like it, can't remember the brand. It had two tubes for the top tube, top tube shifter, 5sp. It was dark pink. Before you open yo trap it was a cool pink, capiche. Gonna see if I can find a pic of it. It was stolen and trashed in a field when I got it back.

 

[GW's Motorized]

I had a knockoff almost like it, can't remember the brand. It had two tubes for the top tube, top tube shifter, 5sp. It was dark pink. Before you open yo trap it was a cool pink, capiche. Gonna see if I can find a pic of it. It was stolen and trashed in a field when I got it back.

I love pink ok.

 

[DAMIEN1307]

I love pink ok.

Oh, your really opening up for some comments, aren't ya...lol.

 

[gearhead437]

There was a Schwinn model that had a stick shift gearshifter-that was the coolest of cool with the banana seat and ape hangers, as they are called now. I'll give the new Scwhinn company credit-they brought back the Orange Krate:

Orange Krate 20in

With an aesthetic descended from drag racers and rocket ships, the Schwinn Orange Krate oozes a vintage flare.

www.schwinnbikes.com

-Gearhead437

 

[Wrench]

Yep, I had the 5 speed Stingray
Stripped it down and made it into a BMX bike with Tuff wheels

Then after a while I missed the Stingray so much I got another Shwinn frame put all my old parts back on it and made another one
Now I had a BMX bike and Street Cruiser 5 speed Stingray tall sissy bar banana seat butterfly bars with Slicks
We called the butterfly bars, tall handle bars

But I'll admit that hand shift was mounted on the frame top tube and it was a real ball catcher
So I took off the hand shift and put a thumb shift on the handlebars

 

[darwin]

Top tube shifter 5sp was cool looking though.

 

[cloakedvillain]

There was a Schwinn model that had a stick shift gearshifter-that was the coolest of cool with the banana seat and ape hangers, as they are called now. I'll give the new Scwhinn company credit-they brought back the Orange Krate:

Orange Krate 20in

With an aesthetic descended from drag racers and rocket ships, the Schwinn Orange Krate oozes a vintage flare.

www.schwinnbikes.com

-Gearhead437

The drum brake looks so cool. I just like the look of a drum brake in a spoked wheel. It looks like it just belongs there. First time I have seen a front drum on a non european bike.