Our own “pedal maniac Michelle” showed us a nice, mostly original Schwinn Sting-Ray a couple of weeks ago here on Barn Finds, and here’s another vintage bike: a 1972 Schwinn Orange Krate five-speed! An orange bike with a small front wheel and a stick shift? Yes, please. The seller has this classic ride listed here on eBay in West Chester, Pennsylvania and they’re asking an eye-watering $4,720 or you can make an offer. Thanks to Tony P. for another great bike tip!
We had a really cool three-story downtown Sears store in our hometown as a lot of cities did before they all moved to malls. Since my dad worked downtown, he was a Sears fanatic so we had Sears… everything, basically. If he could have found a Sears Allstate Henry J I think he would have driven one. He had all Sears (Craftsman) tools and we bought most of our clothes at Sears, our TVs, furniture, appliances, Ted Williams (baseball great) fishing gear, and other sporting equipment. Yes, even our lawn darts were Sears brand.
We weren’t as lucky as some kids in the neighborhood who had name-brand Schwinn chopper bikes like this Orange Krate. More than one speed?! An actual Schwinn? This would have been great, but my brother and I had similar-looking Sears bikes: the “20 + 16 Screamer.” For the record, $64 in 1970 is about $520 today, not inexpensive for a kid’s bike, and my mom and dad got two, one for me and one for my brother. The shifter-looking thing is a parking brake, not a shifter. Here’s future Barn Finds’r Scotty G on his new Sears bike in 1970.
A Schwinn Orange Krate five-speed in 1970 would have been $95, or about $717 today – a significant upgrade from our single-speed Sears bikes. But there is really no comparison, it’s the Orange Krate for the win every time. Between 1968 and 1973, Schwinn jumped into the burgeoning market for chopper-type bikes, thanks to movies and other cultural influences at the time. At the time this ’72 Orange Krate was made, Schwinn had the Lemon Peeler, Apple Crate, Pea Picker, and Orange Krate and the five-speed models were $114. A single-speed coaster brake version would have been available for $83. This was the first year for a rear disc brake, pretty innovative for a kid’s bike in the early 1970s.
This example is said to be 100% original and it looks pretty nice overall but does have some needs. A lot of the chrome and other parts show pitting and that’ll be hard to fix without re-chroming. As someone who recently had an entire bike rechromed, that was almost half the cost of what the seller is asking for this bike alone, plus everything else it needs. It’s missing the white letter rear “slick” and the seat is said to be original, but the tag is pretty much unreadable and the stripe is off-center. I don’t know if that can be redone using the original vinyl or not, but I’d get a new one and keep the original for the next owner. Let’s hear those vintage bike stories, and, Happy 2025, everyone!
Ok Scotty, see you and raise you…. I’ll have to find just the right pedal-powered thingie to feature, stay tuned.
In the meantime, this is one high price on this puppy!
Hey, Michelle – it’s Tony P’s fault!
You forgot the White version the cotton picker my cousin had one…
Thanks Scotty!!!
Hey, I like where this is going,,,
I have had one hanging in my back shed for probably a quarter century. It actually belongs to my ex-brother-in-law. But given the time elapsed, I figure it is mine to sell, and I would take a fair amount less than this guy is asking.
Wow 2 memories here. A kid on my block had the exact same ( purple color and all) Sears bike on my street. Schwinn bikes were kind of like Cadillacs ( Or Lincolns or Imperials or Rolls Royce if you had a Raleigh). I knew someone with a green 5 soeed stick shift Schwinn that I’m pretty sure had at least a couple thousand miles on its odometer ( Schwinn approved of course remember the accessories all said that?) He got the miles doing a paper route.
These are great memories and great bikes. Great write up and a great yet expensive find.
Thanks, Driveinstile! That Sears bike is my “Rosebud”, a reference from my favorite movie, Citizen Kane, and I’d do almost anything to find another one. Something that would instantly bring me back to my childhood when things were great, life was innocent, we were happy and healthy and I didn’t have a care in the world. All of those things that get lost through the decades until you’re on your deathbed, unloved, alone, without a friend in the world, just thinking of your childhood and wishing you could do everything over again (like Charles Foster Kane)(that was pretty heavy).
Hey Scotty. I sure hope you find your “Rosebud”. I totally understand your feelings. As a kid the worry we had are nothing compared to what we have now as parents or even grandparents. That was heavy what you said, but sadly its all too true. Although I sure hope you’re not on your deathbed. Its something how you completely forget about an object for 4 decades, see it, and the gears click!! There were a number of Sears bikes in our neighborhood, remember the Sears Free Spirit?
Anyways thanks again for the great find and memories.
Looks like Tony P. Found two more Sting Rays and they’re posted on Fast finds. Wow, where are these all coming from?
Where’s Fast Finds? I thought it went away.
We were fairly well-to-do when I was a kid in the late 60’s. One Christmas, my two friends in the neighborhood got Raleigh bikes (orange and sort of like Brit equivalents to the Schwinn; had a motorcycle-type seat as I recall). My father bought me a Columbia. Expensive English bike that looked like a girl’s model. I hated it. I would have killed for one of these Schwinns. I think the pea-picker was the best color. Legend was that shifter made many a eunich of 11-year-olds.
They might’ve been Raleigh Chopper bikes. More 70s than 60s, though.
I wonder if Peter Fonda or Dennis Hopper ever got any compensation for inspiring a generation of non- motorized mini-Easy Riders in America’s neighborhoods?
Tony P has a trapline set from East to West, North and South. 🙌
Aw, little Scotty before the weight of the world crushed his fragile spirit, like slow left lane drivers. Like Scottys dad, my grandfather also bought everything( except food) at Sears. MY dad however, was a cheap skate and bought his stuff at Treasure Island. Bikes were of little of his concern, and we were on our own. Since any brand name bike was out, our budget was minimal, an old 20 incher and a banana seat and butterfly bars from Woolworths had to do. We made our own slicks. I see this bike also has the “crotch buster” shift, later models had handlebar shift. Our single speed no-names, probably a Huffy or AMF, couldn’t keep up, but in the dirt, we had just as much fun, and didn’t get chewed out by the old man if we wrecked it. We all became wheelie kings. Do kids still do this today? No wonder they are without a cause.
Howard, back in 1970 I had the WHITE version of this–the “Cotton Picker”! And I know all too well about that crotch-busting shifter! Painful memories indeed. the ‘cotton-Picker” and the “Gray Ghost” were the two rarest variants of these bikes back then. I rode nothing but Schwinns my entire childhood.
Wow, so many memories of my childhood 60 years ago. My Mom also worked at the Sears and Roebuck store off South Nevada Ave in CO Springs. She got the 10% employee discount so everything me and my 4 brothers got was from Sears. The twin brothers down the street got brand new Sting Rays in 1966 while I had a 20 inch Sears bike that I put ape hangers and a banana seat on, but I did sand it down and repaint it about every 18 months. When I got a decent job I started buying up all the Sting Rays I could find, I still have 4. I think the price on this one is a little high but they think they’ve got a rarity because of the disc brake. It’s more like a 2500-3000 dollar bike, IMHO.
I had one just like that except it was green and used the Bendix 2-speed “kick-back” hub..I delivered newspapers on that bike. I bought it in 1969 out of my savings! Can’t remember what I paid, I think about $150.
Have one hanging up in the garage along with a 26′ kick back…..
My Stingray was dark green with a white seat. Dad was a truck driver but I was a spoiled only-child, envy of my friends.
Wow cannot believe one of these is even still around! My dad loved Sears too but thought the price was crazy back in 72 so I worked my paper route and mowed the neighbors lawns until I scraped up the dough to buy this exact bike, color and all. Quickly mastered the “sitting wheelie” and rode all around town feathering the rear brake for balance and with the front wheel cut to the side. I’d love to buy this but would likely disappear soon after my wife found out the price!
Sold – well, listing removed. I have a set of those clash forks in my pile of useful bits at work…
Alot of the sparkle is missing on this one and without it the price will suffer a bit. These Krates had so much chrome on them, any other bike just didn’t measure up. The gearing was pretty tall with the big front sprocket and they weren’t that easy to pedal. Especially if they were in high gear starting out and you had to ride with one hand on the bars and be trying to mash the gears lower with that long shifter lever with the other. Odd how I can recall that, but not something did last week.
I also recall the $100.00 price tag and it was impossible to imagine at the time where I got a dime a month per house for delivering newspapers. Schwinn Krates and Lionel trains sets were the first unobtanium objects that I recall as a kid, the first of many examples that our family did not exist in the same class as other kids in the neighborhood. I have no desire to own one today, but as a look back machine I’m glad they show up on BF.
Made another trip around the sun today, Happy New Years everyone!!
I had the USAF PX (on base shopping) Huffy cheaper version for a bike. I did modify with a banana seat , sissy bar etc , slick type rear tire and speedometer.
My parents were thrifty savers growing up of parents remembering depression type economies .
How thrifty?
Since being an air-force enlisted BRAT we bounced every 4 years to new post from twice in different bases in SC , PI and UK and their first color TV 📺 was 1978 after retirement in 1976. Their comments were shipping overseas will damage the colors.. 😎😜
I did have friends whose parents bought ones like this baby and got to ride them from time to time..
Good luck on sale of cool bike.
I spent four years in the USAF. While stationed at SAC HQ. in Omaha, I was able to collect a number of “treasures”, including a one owner (VFW hall in a small town) 1946 Rock Ola jukebox, several vintage Coke machines and numerous vintage porcelain advertising signs, among others. I got orders for Thailand and the government paid to move all of this stuff (I was single) to my parents’ home in California. The movers were not amused as they carried all of it up the stairs to my folks’ house (my folks played the jukebox nightly and danced in their living room to it).
The movers were REALLY not amused when the same two guys showed up in the same truck a year later to carry all of it down the stairs for crating and shipment to my next assignment in Florida. I went out into the street to flag down the moving van. Getting out of the cab, one of the guys said: “This place looks familiar- aren’t you the guy with the jukebox?”
One of these plays a big part in the memory of my childhood. Our family didn’t have money, but my dad did teach us skills to make money at an early age. One of my older brothers had his sight set on one of these: A yellow one, the “Lemon Peeler” . With however many months of paper route money and pop bottles he Purchased the Schwinn brand new with his own money. Man It was a sight(!)
We had a pretty loose leash back in those days and he wrote that thing EVERYWHERE.
The north side of town was a little rough and one day, a gang of kids older than he spotted him riding in a park, rolled him and stole the bike. Bloodied and tore up he walked the miles home. One of the most impressionable events of my childhood…….
I dabble in the collectible bike market from time to time. I had an off brand “wheelie” bike when I was a elementary age but I got into “10 speeds” pretty quick, especially the European ones. My first “good” bike was a French Motobecane and I rode it everywhere around Miami and Ft. Lauderdale. It was the entry model as that was all my paper route could fund.
Awhile back I found the bike I wanted but couldn’t afford on ebay and after all those years, it was mine. When my younger daughter left for college I put a flat bar on it and she uses it regularly.
I have a few English and Italian racers but mostly ride a modern bike with 10 or 11 cogs on the rear wheel with indexed shifting. I haven’t gone electronic..yet. I still love mounting up on the vintage stuff.
I still have my 1974 English Raleigh Super Course!
Nice bike. The Motobecane I got back when I was young was the Nomade. I wanted a Gran Jubilee. It’s a GJ that I found on ebay and my daughter rides now. 1977 vintage.
Wasn’t there a Ross Apollo 5 speed stick bike? I think my friend had one
Always wanted one when I was a kid. but was too poor. Want this now, but still too poor!?!!
ran when parked
That’s funny!!
Got that exact same bike for Christmas in 1970 when we lived in upstate NY. Couldn’t ride it till May because of the snow m. That was torture!
At that price I wish I still had mine, thanks for the memories Mom!
As insane as that asking price is, it’s no worse than what they want for rust-bucket Mopars..and it’s a lot more useful.
Wow that price is crazy! My parents bought me one of these back in the early 70’s can’t remember the year or model name, mine was painted tricolor blue green yellow metallic, with the 5 speed nut buster shifter. I rode the wheels off that bike.
Can anyone imagine trying to market a “Cotton picker ” in today’s world?
Based upon recent events, I believe that about half the population of the United States would beam with pride while riding one (hey, does it come with a hat and flag holder?)…
Ouch! Good one…
A couple of my buddies got these new back in the day. One had the Apple Crate and another the Orange Crate. I wanted one but dad wouldn’t allow it because of the “unsafe” racing slick in the back. I ended up with a knockoff that also had the ball buster shifter but I think it was only a three speed. I recently moved and ended up donating my ‘73 Schwinn Continental that I bought new and had kept all these years. It was complete but needed a restoration that never happened. There isn’t much market for those and maybe you’d get lucky and find the “right guy” locally who would appreciate it.
The Crates are certainly collectible but this price IMO would be for one fully restored, and even then it seems high. Good luck to the seller.
I had one very similar but purple with tassels. I think the gear shifter metal was solid chrome though, no holes. I had a home made battery pack hanging below the back seat and a tire generator(alternator) to charge them.I had a new speedometer that went up to 60 mph and I even installed a light in it. I had a square Radio Shack radio on the handle bar with a horn. I also added a Cadillac horn. I made a cool anti theft system and would bet friends they could not ride my bike away. I sewed 2 rowes of copper wires in the seat and had a transformer connected to the tire alternator. When they started moving, they received 800 volts to their butt.
Wow!! That’s almost as bad as peeing on an electric fence that my older brother encouraged me to do.
Lesson learned: Never trust an older brother.
I had a newspaper delivery route when I was 14. The stingray came out, I spennt all my money on a brand new one. Now the paper bags could be on the seat instead of my shoulders. I paid $50 for it new. It got stolen so I bought another, the price had increased to $60. So this guy is listing a toy for this much money? Beam me up Scotty, there is no normal living life form on this planet
Good story but,don’t say “Tassels” they’re “Streamers”
I told my parents I wanted an Apple Krate for Christmas about 1968. They could not afford almost $100. I ended up with a Royce Union in purple with a redline rear cheater slick. So did my rich neighbor friend. His parents were loaded, but very careful with money. Mine got stolen when I was at Boy Scout camp. I think the kid who stole it is dead from a motorcycle crash. This Schwinn here is overpriced.
Wow. What memories. And all the comments for a bicycle!!! I remember Christmas ‘70-‘71, went running into the living room (once mom and dad told us that Santa had just left) and there it was. My beautiful Schwinn Apple Krate!!! I was the total envy of my ‘hood. Now that I’m seeing the prices for them, wished I still had the beauty.
My Dad was another Sears-aholic, and I figured that my bike came from there. After poring through the on-line Sears catalogs, I could not find the bike, so it must have come from another department store.
I do not have a great side view of the bike (I posted it here about a week ago), and this is the closest I’ve come to what it might have been. There were so many knockoffs made, these bikes were very popular.
The kids in my neighborhood had Schwinns, Raleigh Choppers and Apollos.
An Apollo.
Had the Orange Krate but that’s sweet!
A neighbor of mine got a Lemon Peeler for his birthday in August of 1969, and he let me ride it a few times. He had pretty wealthy parents so the $100 was no big deal – it rode like a tank and heavy enough to not be a wheelie machine at all but MAN it was cool! My bike at that time was a combination of a 20” Stingray with stolen handlebars and seat and a 24”Typhoon with stolen wheels, both purchased at our local police auction for less than 5 bucks total. Sawed the typhoon bars back a bit, dumpster dove at the local Yamaha dealer for cast off grips and installed Schwinn knobbies as they were free – everyone wanted slicks. Little did I know at the time that out of necessity I’d built an early BMX bike before they existed…. Was a tuff little bike.
Today I have several Krates, most purchased in the 90’s for a couple hundred to 500 max.
The seat stripe being offset isn’t incorrect, it’s how they were new, there was a fellow named Pete Aronson who redid the seats (actually two different pan styles over the years) to as new – “Pete Seats” we called them, but he sold his company Hyper Formance years ago and I don’t think there is anyone doing the seats now. Wish I’d hunted down a few more Krates back then, but they’ve made for a nice little 401k!
My favorite is a “one of none” Coal Krate coaster I built 30 years or so ago with a Pete Seat and a NOS Vrooom motor attached. It’s a fun rider. Cheers!
I had a home built “wheelie/Banana” bike. Made from on old girls bike, with a welded in cross bar that Dad patched on. The best trick bike in the neighborhood, till the frame cracked on a jump. The neighbor kid got a brand new Apple Crate in the summer of ’69. I wanted one so bad, but Dad was working out of the union hall, so money was tight. The neighbor’s Dad spent money they didn’t have, but you couldn’t explain that to 9 year old me!
I had a green one without the suspension. It had the shifter though, and my nuts are still recovering from it slipping into neutral occasionally if you stood up and pedaled hard. Standing up of course made the fall onto the shifter that much more dramatic and painful.
Still, a beautiful bike.
Love this!! Used to have a cotton picker in 75. Rode the wheels off that thing! My dad traded a chainsaw for it. I got too big to ride it and have it to my brother who took it all apart. Ended up in the trash bin. Never forgave for that. What a great bike!!
Wow. A lot of memories. Crazy price, but my Apple Krate is gonna stay in my Man Cave. I got a swing bike also.crazy set up. Has a fork set up under the banana seat, and a large spring connected to the front and back “forks” That bike will do a 360 in a split second, and/or knock you on your butt if your not careful.
This one is a rare – rear wheel disk brake – which was an option. Had a used Apple crate – these were new when we went into the Schwinn shop in late 60’s early 70’s. the early Orange Krates didn’t have the front fender which made them look cooler…..
The Original “Orange Krate” was built by Schwinn because of the Popularity of Drag Racing, Not Chopper bikes…..take a look at the original drag racer called the “Orange Krate” and Take a look at the original Schwinn Krate bike advertising shown at Orange County California Drag Strip, you’ll see a Dragster in the left lane and the Kid on the Orange Krate taking off from the starting line in the right lane…..I lived in those times, get your facts straight
The “Orange Krate” was just one of THREE variations that were introduced in 1968 at the same time. It wasn’t the only one. There was also the “Lemon Peeler” (Lemon Yellow) and the “Apple Krate” (Candy Apple Red).
Scotty you mentioned being a Sears acholic.Maybe you could help me find a bike I grew up with. The bike was sold at Sears exclusively. The bike was named the Railer.A 5 speed. The fame were made like rails that a slick 5-speed shifter set with a T shifter set. I hope you remember it. If was hot and I’ve always looked for one.
Scotty, that bike I mentioned was for 68 and that T shifter sat on the rail. I wanted one so badly in 68. I think the bike was made by Murray for Sears.
Greg G: The bike you are looking for might be on this page: https://christmas.musetechnical.com/ShowCatalogPage/1968-Sears-Christmas-Book/0410
If not, you can use the buttons to navigate to other pages in the catalog.
Click the Home button and spend countless hours browsing 100s of different department store catalogs.
The Schwinn Krates
The Krates took over the bike world in 1968. They were without question the coolest bike on the block. Schwinn Krates were made between 1968 and 1973. The first year they came out with just three: The Orange Krate, Apple Krate and the Lemon Peeler. Due to their enourmous success, more models were introduced and some amazing accessories were added every year.
Scroll down to see how Schwinn represented these bikes in their catalogs for each year.
1968 1969 1970 1971 1972 1973 2020
1968
The hottest Sting-Ray of them all!
1968 SCHWINN KRATE
Orange Krate
Lemon Peeler
Apple Krate
Blast off and move out to a whole new world of cycling thrills aboard the flashiest Sting-Rays ever designed- The Orange Krate, Lemon Peeler and Apple Krate drag racers.
Just wait until you try the floating, super cushioned ride of this unique 5-speed Stik-Shift model. You’ll have to ride it to believe it. Equipped with spring suspension front fork. Schwinn 16″ x 1 3/4″ middleweight front tire and 20″ x 2.125″ Slik rear tire.
“Full-FLoating” bucket style saddle with racing stripes, strut and seat post with spring suspension, “MAG” sprocket, rear caliper brake and large aluminum front drum brake for extra stopping power. THree version to choose from- Orange krate in kool Orange color, Lemon Peeler in kool lemon and Apple Krate in kool red.
C30-9 Orange Krate………….$86.95
C30-9 Lemon Peeler………….$86.95
C30-9 Apple Krate…………..$86.95
See the full 1968 Schwinn catalog.
1969
A whole new world of cycling thrills can be yours when you blast off and move out aboard the flashiest sting-rays ever designed-the orange krate,lemon peeler,apple krate and pea picker drag racers fron schwinn.
1969 Schwinn Krates
Orange Krate
Lemon Peeler
Apple Krate
Pea Picker
Just wait until you try the floating, super cushioned ride of this unique 5-speed Stik-Shift model. Equipped with spring suspension front fork. Schwinn 16″ x 1 3/4″ middleweight front tire and 20″ x 2.125″ Gripper Slik COlor: line rear tires, bucket style saddle with rally stripes, chrome plated fenders, patented spring Strut, “MAG” sprocket, rear caliper brake and large aluminum drum brake.
Colors: Orange krate in kool orange, lemon peeler in kool lemon, Apple krate in kool red and Pea picker in kool green.
C30-9 Orange Krate………….$93.95
C30-9 Lemon Peeler………….$93.95
C30-9 Apple Krate…………..$93.95
C30-9 Pea Picker……………$93.95
See the full 1969 Schwinn catalog.
1970
If it’s a bike “muscle”…with breathtaking starts and jet-age performance you want here it is!
1970 Schwinn Krates
New diamond jubilee model Cotton picket
C30 Orange Krate 5-speed, Stik-Shift……$94.95 Coaster……$76.95
C30 Lemon Krate 5-speed, Stik-Shift……$94.95 Coaster……$76.95
C30 Apple Krate 5-speed, Stik-Shift……$94.95 Coaster……$76.95
C30 Pea Krate 5-speed, Stik-Shift……$94.95 Coaster……$76.95
C30 Cotton Krate 5-speed, Stik-Shift……$94.95 Coaster……$76.95
The world’s most exciting concept in bicycles Schwinn Krates
Featuring the new diamond jubillee cotton picket
Incorporating the revolutionary Schwinn Sting-Ray design with gears, full floating ride, and features that will thrill your imagintaion.
75 years of bicycling “know-how” went into this bike, and once you ride it, you’ll know it, because only a Schwinn rides so well. Choose from any one of the stars of the cycling drag derby – the orange krate, the apple krate. The pea picker, the lemon peeler, or the new 1970 cotton picker.
New…1970 Stik-Shift levers numbered knob
New…1970 Sting-Ray handlebar
New…Deeper, roomier bucket seat
New…Buffed, lettered 20″ x 2.125 Slik rear tire
Spring suspension front fork
16″X1 3/4″ Front tire
Chrome plated fenders
“MAG” sprocket
Rear caliper brake, handlebar control on 5-speed
Front aluminum drum expander brake on 5-speed
See the full 1970 Schwinn catalog.
1971
Engineered to Last…Schwinn Sting-Ray Design at its Best.
1971 Schwinn Krates
Featuring New Grey Ghost for 1971
Solid Schwinn engineering at its best and with you in mind.
This is the revolutionary Schwinn Sting-Ray design available with gears, full floating ride, and everything you’ve ever wanted in a bike. Look at all this: Stik-shift numbered lever, bucket seat, buffered rear slik tire, shock absorbing saddle struts, front aluminum drum brake on 5-speed models, shock absorbing front fork… famous Schwinn quality. You’ll ride proud knowing you’ve bought the best!
1971 schwinn 8
C30 Cotton Picker 5-speed………$101.95 Coaster……$82.95
C30 Orange Krate 5-speed………$101.95 Coaster……$82.95
C30 Lemon Peeler 5-speed………$101.95 Coaster……$82.95
1971 schwinn 8
C30 Apple Krate 5-speed………..$101.95 Coaster……$82.95
C30 Pea Picker 5-speed………….$101.95 Coaster……$82.95
See the full 1971 Schwinn catalog.
1972
The famous Schwinn Sting-Ray design customized with an array of special high-performance features!
1972 Schwinn Krates
Full floating ride with shock absorbing saddle and front fork, choice of gears, bucket seat, front drum brake. Rear disc brake on 5-speed models.
Choice of colors: Orange Krate, Lemon Peeler, Apple Krate (red) , Pea Picker (green)
C30-6 Coaster brake Krate ……….. $ 82.95
C30-9 5-Speed Stik-shift Krate …. $113.95
All prices and specifications subject to change without notice.
See the full 1972 Schwinn catalog.
1973
The famous Schwinn Sting-Ray design customized with an array of special high-performance features!
1973 Schwinn Krates
Full floating ride with shock absorbing saddle and front fork, 5-speed gears, bucket seat, front drum brake. Sure stop disc brake on rear wheel. 20″ x 2.125″ Slik rear tire.
Choice of colors: Orange Krate, Lemon Peeler, Apple Krate (RED). Wt. 49 lbs.
C30-9 5-speed Stik-Shift Krate……$119.95
See the full 1973 Schwinn catalog.
2020
The Schwinn Krate is back for 2020!
Exclusively available at Amazon (Limited to as few as 500 bikes). Quick links:
2020 Schwinn Coal Krate is here >
2020 Schwinn Orange Krate is here >
2020 Schwinn Grape Krate is here >
Schwinn has outdone themselves for 2020! For a very limited run, the Schwinn Krates are back.
The time has come to bring back the classic design everyone knew and loved! Revel in #throwback glory with the curvilinear Sting-Ray style frame. The vintage styled Krate also features authentic details like the high-rise ape handlebar, strut and seat post with spring suspension, and full-floating bucket style saddle with racing stripes for that boss ’70’s look. Plus, the sissy bar adjustability allows this bike to accommodate a variety of riders, from kids to adults.
2020 Coal Krate
The 2020 Coal Krate looks amazing and is solid as a rock. The Coal Krate was a popular mythical bike (Schwinn never actually released a Coal Krate in the 1960s but many people customized their bikes to be black). Now it is official and real: the 2020 Schwinn Coal Krate!
The Coal krate will be the first to sell out, it is highly desirable to users, collectors and everyone inbetween.
Buy the Coal Krate here >
2020 Grape Krate
The 2020 Grape Krate. Available for a limited time: the Schwinn Grape Krate. Revel in throwback glory with this Krate in pristine purple. The elusive icon lives! Don’t miss your chance to have your very own Grape Krate and enjoy the freedom of riding a Schwinn.
Buy the Grape Krate here >
2020 Orange Krate
The 2020 Grape Krate. Available for a limited time: the Schwinn Orange Krate. Grab your shades and turn up that transistor radio – the Schwinn Orange Krate is back! With an aesthetic descended from drag racers and rocket ships, the Orange Krate oozes more vintage flare than your favorite retro binge watch.
Buy the Orange Krate here >
Back to Schwinn Bikes.
I grew up poor. In fact, we were so poor that if I hadn’t been born a boy I wouldn’t have had anything to play with. So all my childhood bikes were 20″ junkyard refugees that I retrofitted with banana seats and ape hangers. Still had just as much fun riding them as the “rich” kids and their store-bought “cool” bikes!
I remember this really odd bike my neighbor had. I don’t know if he bought it or modified it. I almost traded my Schwinn 5 speed fastback on it.
All I know is it was blue,but the seat sat about 10 feet high and it had a steering wheel. When he stopped at my house, he would climb on my porch railing to get on . Ring any bells?
Yes, I remember someone in my neighborhood have one just like that, steering wheel and all.
My impression was that it was homemade because it was the only one I ever saw.
Lots of creative kids back then.