Friday, June 3, 2016

Mike's Copper Schiwnn Sting Ray Restoration - My Favorite Bicycle Color!

Mike's Copper Schwinn Sting Ray Restoration
Bicycle After Restoration
This is Mike's Copper Color Schwinn Sting Ray restoration to go along with the black Sting Ray restoration.  Click Here for the Black Sting Ray Restoration.  I love this copper color, copper is my favorite color for a bike.  At first glance I thought the rust looked a lot worse on the copper Sting Ray components then the black Sting Ray, it might be worse but the Copper Sting Ray broke down no problem.  These bikes are so cool!  I wish I didn't grow so tall so fast.  When I try riding one now its just ridiculous.  

As same for the Black Sting Ray I am going to do rust removal and then we will decide if the components are good or if replacements are wanted.  I will put a couple coats of clear over the polished areas that where badly rusted for protection if original part is used.  From there all new cables, cable housings, bearings and brake pads will be installed.  Tires on the Copper are in better condition then the Black Sting Ray so we will see on those.  

Same as the Black Sting Ray I think the Copper Sting Ray has some pretty awesome original paint under the dirt, dull and roughness.  I can't wait to see.  

I will also post information like year and anything else I find as I research.

Mike's Copper Schwinn Sting Ray Restoration
Bicycle Before

Mike's Copper Schwinn Sting Ray Restoration
Bicycle Before - Handlebars

Mike's Copper Schwinn Sting Ray Restoration
Bicycle Before - Brake Levers

Mike's Copper Schwinn Sting Ray Restoration
Bicycle Before - Speedo

Mike's Copper Schwinn Sting Ray Restoration
Bicycle Before - Stem

Mike's Copper Schwinn Sting Ray Restoration
Bicycle Before - Stem

Mike's Copper Schwinn Sting Ray Restoration
Bicycle Before - Head Tube

Mike's Copper Schwinn Sting Ray Restoration
Bicycle Before - Front Brake Caliper

Mike's Copper Schwinn Sting Ray Restoration
Bicycle Before - Front Fender

Mike's Copper Schwinn Sting Ray Restoration
Bicycle Before - Front Fender

Mike's Copper Schwinn Sting Ray Restoration
Bicycle Before - Front Wheel Hub

Mike's Copper Schwinn Sting Ray Restoration
Bicycle Before - Front Wheel Rim

Mike's Copper Schwinn Sting Ray Restoration
Bicycle Before - Handlebars

Mike's Copper Schwinn Sting Ray Restoration
Bicycle Before - Head Tube

Mike's Copper Schwinn Sting Ray Restoration
Bicycle Before - Fork

Mike's Copper Schwinn Sting Ray Restoration
Bicycle Before - Wheel Hub

Mike's Copper Schwinn Sting Ray Restoration
Bicycle Before - Shift Lever

Mike's Copper Schwinn Sting Ray Restoration
Bicycle Before - Down Tube

Mike's Copper Schwinn Sting Ray Restoration
Bicycle Before - Seat Area

Mike's Copper Schwinn Sting Ray Restoration
Bicycle Before - Seat Post

Mike's Copper Schwinn Sting Ray Restoration
Bicycle Before - Seat Tube

Mike's Copper Schwinn Sting Ray Restoration
Bicycle Before - Drive Train

Mike's Copper Schwinn Sting Ray Restoration
Bicycle Before - Chain Guard

Mike's Copper Schwinn Sting Ray Restoration
Bicycle Before - Chain Guard

Mike's Copper Schwinn Sting Ray Restoration
Bicycle Before - Seat

Mike's Copper Schwinn Sting Ray Restoration
Bicycle Before - Rear Brake Caliper

Mike's Copper Schwinn Sting Ray Restoration
Bicycle Before - Rear Fender

Mike's Copper Schwinn Sting Ray Restoration
Bicycle Before - Rear Derailleur

Mike's Copper Schwinn Sting Ray Restoration
Bicycle Before - Rear Wheel Hub

Mike's Copper Schwinn Sting Ray Restoration
Bicycle Before - Rear Wheel Rim

Mike's Copper Schwinn Sting Ray Restoration
Bicycle Before
 With the Sting Ray broken down I see the frame is in good shape, very few chips and scratches.  The frame paint is a little rough though.  Very dirty, dull and rough paint surface.  I do think there is some really nice original paint in there though!

Mike's Copper Schwinn Sting Ray Restoration
Frame Before

Mike's Copper Schwinn Sting Ray Restoration
Frame Before - Head Tube

Mike's Copper Schwinn Sting Ray Restoration
Frame Before - Head Tube

Mike's Copper Schwinn Sting Ray Restoration
Frame Before - Head Tube

Mike's Copper Schwinn Sting Ray Restoration
Frame Before - Head Tube

Mike's Copper Schwinn Sting Ray Restoration
Frame Before - Down Tube

Mike's Copper Schwinn Sting Ray Restoration
Frame Before - Seat Area

Mike's Copper Schwinn Sting Ray Restoration
Frame Before - Seat Tube

Mike's Copper Schwinn Sting Ray Restoration
Frame Before - Seat Tube

Mike's Copper Schwinn Sting Ray Restoration
Frame Before - Bottom Bracket

Mike's Copper Schwinn Sting Ray Restoration
Frame Before - Bottom Bracket

Mike's Copper Schwinn Sting Ray Restoration
Frame Before - Bottom Bracket

Mike's Copper Schwinn Sting Ray Restoration
Frame Before - Seat Area

Mike's Copper Schwinn Sting Ray Restoration
Frame Before - Seat Tube

Mike's Copper Schwinn Sting Ray Restoration
Frame Before - Seat Stays

Mike's Copper Schwinn Sting Ray Restoration
Frame Before - Chain Stays

Mike's Copper Schwinn Sting Ray Restoration
Frame Before - Drop Outs

Mike's Copper Schwinn Sting Ray Restoration
Frame Before - Fork

Mike's Copper Schwinn Sting Ray Restoration
Frame Before - Fork Crown

Mike's Copper Schwinn Sting Ray Restoration
Frame Before - Fork Crown

Mike's Copper Schwinn Sting Ray Restoration
Frame Before - Fork Crown

Mike's Copper Schwinn Sting Ray Restoration
Frame Before - Fork Drop Outs

Mike's Copper Schwinn Sting Ray Restoration
Frame Before - Fork Blades
I am currently cleaning and polishing the Copper Sting Ray frame.  I will post photos when I am done.


I gave the Copper frame a deep cleaning, he cleaned well.  With the frame cleaned I started working through the polishing grits.  The copper paint came back very nice!  There are a few rough spots I will continue to work on but over all the paint polished very nice considering.  The fork polished very nice!  The chrome fork crown cap turned out very nice.  I am amazed at how nicely the decals came back to white.  I am very happy over all with the results of polishing the paint.  I will take a few more photos as I work on a few of the rougher spots.

Mike's Copper Schwinn Sting Ray Restoration
Frame Polished

Mike's Copper Schwinn Sting Ray Restoration
Frame Polished - Head Tube

Mike's Copper Schwinn Sting Ray Restoration
Frame Polished - Head Tube

Mike's Copper Schwinn Sting Ray Restoration
Frame Polished - Head Tube

Mike's Copper Schwinn Sting Ray Restoration
Frame Polished - Top Tube

Mike's Copper Schwinn Sting Ray Restoration
Frame Polished - Down Tube

Mike's Copper Schwinn Sting Ray Restoration
Frame Polished - Seat Area

Mike's Copper Schwinn Sting Ray Restoration
Frame Polished - 5 Speed Decal & Rough Spot

Mike's Copper Schwinn Sting Ray Restoration
Frame Polished - Chicago Decal

Mike's Copper Schwinn Sting Ray Restoration
Frame Polished - Bottom Bracket

Mike's Copper Schwinn Sting Ray Restoration
Frame Polished - Bottom Bracket


Mike's Copper Schwinn Sting Ray Restoration
Frame Polished - Seat Stays

Mike's Copper Schwinn Sting Ray Restoration
Frame Polished - Rear Brake Bridge

Mike's Copper Schwinn Sting Ray Restoration
Frame Polished - Chain Stays

Mike's Copper Schwinn Sting Ray Restoration
Frame Polished - Drop Outs

Mike's Copper Schwinn Sting Ray Restoration
Frame Polished - Fork

Mike's Copper Schwinn Sting Ray Restoration
Frame Polished - Fork Crown

Mike's Copper Schwinn Sting Ray Restoration
Frame Polished - Fork Crown

Mike's Copper Schwinn Sting Ray Restoration
Frame Polished - Fork Crown

Mike's Copper Schwinn Sting Ray Restoration
Frame Polished - Fork Blades

Mike's Copper Schwinn Sting Ray Restoration
Frame Polished - Fork Drop Outs
From here it will be like the Black Sting Ray.  I will post all the before photos and then post the after photos as they come together.  Same as the black Sting Ray it will depend all on rust removal and time.


The headset started out kind of rough.  I cleaned the pieces through the crock pot and then worked through the polishing wheels.  The headset turned out very nice.  Installed it looks great!  I lost or forgot to take a photo of just the headset complete but down by the handlebar photos you can see the headset complete.

Mike's Copper Schwinn Sting Ray Restoration
Headset Before
Mike's Copper Schwinn Sting Ray Restoration
Headset Polished

Mike's Copper Schwinn Sting Ray Restoration
Headset Cups Pressed

Mike's Copper Schwinn Sting Ray Restoration
Headset Bearings Packed

Mike's Copper Schwinn Sting Ray Restoration
Handlebars & Stem Before

Mike's Copper Schwinn Sting Ray Restoration
Stem & Handlebars Before

Mike's Copper Schwinn Sting Ray Restoration
Stem Before

Mike's Copper Schwinn Sting Ray Restoration
Brake Levers Before

Mike's Copper Schwinn Sting Ray Restoration
Handlebars Before

Mike's Copper Schwinn Sting Ray Restoration
Stem & Handlebars Before

Mike's Copper Schwinn Sting Ray Restoration
Handlebars Before

Mike's Copper Schwinn Sting Ray Restoration
Handlebars Before

Mike's Copper Schwinn Sting Ray Restoration
Handlebars Before

Mike's Copper Schwinn Sting Ray Restoration
Stem Before

Mike's Copper Schwinn Sting Ray Restoration
Stem Before

Mike's Copper Schwinn Sting Ray Restoration
Stem Exploded

Mike's Copper Schwinn Sting Ray Restoration
Stem Before
The stem is the first part of the handlebars and brake levers to some out of rust solution.  I am happy with the stem with the rust removed.  I think it will polish nice.  The two below photos have not been polished yet.
Mike's Copper Schwinn Sting Ray Restoration
Stem just out of rust solution. Not yet polished

Mike's Copper Schwinn Sting Ray Restoration
Stem just out of rust solution.

The stem polished nicely.  I then applied a few coats of clear to help protect it from rusting again. When a piece has as much rust as some of the Copper Sting Rays parts are you need to help protect the pieces from rust coming back.  With out the clear the parts would start to rust fairly quick.  The stem looks great installed!

Mike's Copper Schwinn Sting Ray Restoration
Stem Polished & Cleared

Mike's Copper Schwinn Sting Ray Restoration
Stem Complete

Mike's Copper Schwinn Sting Ray Restoration
Stem Complete

Mike's Copper Schwinn Sting Ray Restoration
Stem Installed

Mike's Copper Schwinn Sting Ray Restoration
Stem Installed

Mike's Copper Schwinn Sting Ray Restoration
Headset Complete

The handlebars came out of the rust remover rust free.  I polished the handlebars and then applied the couple coats of clear.  The handlebars have some pretty rough areas.  They look a hundred ties better then they started though.  They look pretty good installed too.

Mike's Copper Schwinn Sting Ray Restoration
Handlebars Polished & Clear Applied

Mike's Copper Schwinn Sting Ray Restoration
Handlebars Rough Spot - Clear Applied

Mike's Copper Schwinn Sting Ray Restoration
Handlebars Rough Spot - Clear Applied

Mike's Copper Schwinn Sting Ray Restoration
Handlebars Polished & Clear Applied

Mike's Copper Schwinn Sting Ray Restoration
Handlebars Polished

Mike's Copper Schwinn Sting Ray Restoration
Handlebars Installed

Mike's Copper Schwinn Sting Ray Restoration
Handlebars Installed

Mike's Copper Schwinn Sting Ray Restoration
Handlebars Installed

Mike's Copper Schwinn Sting Ray Restoration
Handlebars Installed

The crank is rough, a lot of surface rust.  The bottom bracket looks rough but not to bad really. The bottom bracket should come back beautifully and spin great the crank I am a little worried about.

Mike's Copper Schwinn Sting Ray Restoration
Crank Before

Mike's Copper Schwinn Sting Ray Restoration
Crank Before

Mike's Copper Schwinn Sting Ray Restoration
Crank Before

Mike's Copper Schwinn Sting Ray Restoration
Bottom Bracket Before

Some of the parts are starting to come out of the rust solution I made up.  The first was today, the crank.  I am pleased with all the rust being gone.  There is some rust pitting but I am hoping to clear coat everything so it should not be a problem.  I have not polished the crank yet but below are two photos just after coming out of the rust solution.  

Mike's Copper Schwinn Sting Ray Restoration
Crank out of rust solution - Not Polished Yet.

Mike's Copper Schwinn Sting Ray Restoration
Crank just out of rust solution. - Not polished yet.
The crank polished nicely and the bottom bracket turned out great.  Installed the crank looks great!! I am very happy with the results of the crank!  The bottom bracket spins perfectly!

Mike's Copper Schwinn Sting Ray Restoration
Crank & Bottom Bracket Polished

Mike's Copper Schwinn Sting Ray Restoration
Bottom Bracket Polished

Mike's Copper Schwinn Sting Ray Restoration
Bottom Bracket Cups Pressed

Mike's Copper Schwinn Sting Ray Restoration
Bottom Bracket Cups Pressed

Mike's Copper Schwinn Sting Ray Restoration
Bottom Bracket Bearings Packed

Mike's Copper Schwinn Sting Ray Restoration
Crank Installed

Mike's Copper Schwinn Sting Ray Restoration
Crank Installed

Mike's Copper Schwinn Sting Ray Restoration
Shift Lever Before

Mike's Copper Schwinn Sting Ray Restoration
Shift Lever Knob

Mike's Copper Schwinn Sting Ray Restoration
Shift Lever Before

Mike's Copper Schwinn Sting Ray Restoration
Seat Before

Mike's Copper Schwinn Sting Ray Restoration
Seat Post Before

Mike's Copper Schwinn Sting Ray Restoration
Seat Post Before

Mike's Copper Schwinn Sting Ray Restoration
Seat Piece Before

Mike's Copper Schwinn Sting Ray Restoration
Seat Piece Before

Mike's Copper Schwinn Sting Ray Restoration
Seat Struts Before

Mike's Copper Schwinn Sting Ray Restoration
Seat Exploded

Mike's Copper Schwinn Sting Ray Restoration
Seat Strut Before

Mike's Copper Schwinn Sting Ray Restoration
Seat Post Before

Mike's Copper Schwinn Sting Ray Restoration
Seat Strut Before

Mike's Copper Schwinn Sting Ray Restoration
Seat Before

Mike's Copper Schwinn Sting Ray Restoration
Seat Before

The seat post came out of rust solution next.  It should work very well after polishing.  Below photo the seat post has not yet been polished.

Mike's Copper Schwinn Sting Ray Restoration
Seat post just out of rust solution.

Mike's Copper Schwinn Sting Ray Restoration
Seat post just out of rust solution.
Mike's Copper Schwinn Sting Ray Restoration
Seat Binder & Bolt Before
The seat post polished very nicely!  The seat binder polished amazingly!  I am very pleased with the resutls and can't wait to see the seat completed and installed.

Mike's Copper Schwinn Sting Ray Restoration
Seat Post & Binder Polished

Mike's Copper Schwinn Sting Ray Restoration
Seat Binder Polished

Mike's Copper Schwinn Sting Ray Restoration
Seat Post Installed

Mike's Copper Schwinn Sting Ray Restoration
Seat Post Installed

Mike's Copper Schwinn Sting Ray Restoration
Cable guide Before

Mike's Copper Schwinn Sting Ray Restoration
Seat Hardware
The brake calipers look rough to start but restoring brake calipers are my favorite.  There is usually huge difference in the before and after.  The pieces of the brakes cleaned nice and polished very nice! There was a little etching in the alloy brake arms but that polished away nicely.  New brake pads and the brakes will be stopping much better.  The brake calipers look great installed!
  
Mike's Copper Schwinn Sting Ray Restoration
Brake Calipers Before

Mike's Copper Schwinn Sting Ray Restoration
Brake Calipers Exploded

Mike's Copper Schwinn Sting Ray Restoration
Brake Calipers Polished

Mike's Copper Schwinn Sting Ray Restoration
Brake Calipers Complete

Mike's Copper Schwinn Sting Ray Restoration
Front Brake Caliper Installed

Mike's Copper Schwinn Sting Ray Restoration
Rear Brake Caliper Installed

Mike's Copper Schwinn Sting Ray Restoration
Brake Calipers Installed







Mike's Copper Schwinn Sting Ray Restoration
Derailleur Before

Mike's Copper Schwinn Sting Ray Restoration
Derailleur Before

Mike's Copper Schwinn Sting Ray Restoration
Derailleur Before

Mike's Copper Schwinn Sting Ray Restoration
Derailleur Exploded
Next out of rust solution was the rear derailleur.  It looks good with no rust.  In the photo below the rear derailleur has not been polished yet.
Mike's Copper Schwinn Sting Ray Restoration
Rear derailleur just out of rust solution.

Mike's Copper Schwinn Sting Ray Restoration
Rear derailleur just out of rust solution

Mike's Copper Schwinn Sting Ray Restoration
Pedals Before

Mike's Copper Schwinn Sting Ray Restoration
Pedals Before

Mike's Copper Schwinn Sting Ray Restoration
Fenders Before

Mike's Copper Schwinn Sting Ray Restoration
Front Fender Before

Mike's Copper Schwinn Sting Ray Restoration
Front Fender Before

The front fender was the first fender to come out of rust solution.  I am very happy with the rust removal.  I like the front fender should polish very nice and with a coat of clear it should be great!  Below photos the fender has not yet been polished.

Mike's Copper Schwinn Sting Ray Restoration
Front fender just out of rust solution.

Mike's Copper Schwinn Sting Ray Restoration
Front fender just out of rust solution.

Mike's Copper Schwinn Sting Ray Restoration
Front fender just out of rust solution.




Mike's Copper Schwinn Sting Ray Restoration
Rear Fender Before

Mike's Copper Schwinn Sting Ray Restoration
Rear Fender Before

Mike's Copper Schwinn Sting Ray Restoration
Rear Fender Before

Mike's Copper Schwinn Sting Ray Restoration
Rear Fender Before

Mike's Copper Schwinn Sting Ray Restoration
Rear Fender Before
I polished the fenders and added a few layers of clear.  The fenders are not perfect but they look good. They look much much better then before.  They also should stay rust free with the clear coats.  There definitely have a lot of rust pitting but overall they are much better then before.  I am pleased with the results considering where they started.  I have also installed new fender mounting bolts that are stainless steel.  The old bolts and nuts where way to far gone and one was even broken.  The new hardware will make a big difference.

Mike's Copper Schwinn Sting Ray Restoration
Fenders Polished & Clear Coated

Mike's Copper Schwinn Sting Ray Restoration
Rear Fender Polished & Cleared

Mike's Copper Schwinn Sting Ray Restoration
Front Fender Polished & Cleared

Mike's Copper Schwinn Sting Ray Restoration
Front Fender Installed

Mike's Copper Schwinn Sting Ray Restoration
Front Fender Installed

Mike's Copper Schwinn Sting Ray Restoration
Rear Fender Installed

Mike's Copper Schwinn Sting Ray Restoration
Rear Fender Installed

Mike's Copper Schwinn Sting Ray Restoration
New Fender Mount Hardware

Mike's Copper Schwinn Sting Ray Restoration
Fenders Installed

Mike's Copper Schwinn Sting Ray Restoration
Chain Guard Before

Mike's Copper Schwinn Sting Ray Restoration
Chain Guard Before

Mike's Copper Schwinn Sting Ray Restoration
Chain Guard Before

Mike's Copper Schwinn Sting Ray Restoration
Chain Guard Before

Mike's Copper Schwinn Sting Ray Restoration
Chain Guard Before

Mike's Copper Schwinn Sting Ray Restoration
Chain Guard Before

Mike's Copper Schwinn Sting Ray Restoration
Chain Guard Before

Mike's Copper Schwinn Sting Ray Restoration
Chain Guard Before
The wheels have me very nervous.  Well, maybe not nervous but a little concerned because they are starting out very rough.  The rust on the rims is very heavy but when I scrap the rust with a plastic tool a scraps of very easy.  We will see how they turn out.  Right now they have been in rust removal for quite a while and are showing a lot of improvement.

Mike's Copper Schwinn Sting Ray Restoration
Rear Wheel Before

Mike's Copper Schwinn Sting Ray Restoration
Rear Wheel Hub Before

Mike's Copper Schwinn Sting Ray Restoration
Rear Wheel Hub Before

Mike's Copper Schwinn Sting Ray Restoration
Rear Wheel Rim Before

Mike's Copper Schwinn Sting Ray Restoration
Rear Wheel Hub - Old Grease

Mike's Copper Schwinn Sting Ray Restoration
Front Wheel Before

Mike's Copper Schwinn Sting Ray Restoration
Front Wheel Hub Before

Mike's Copper Schwinn Sting Ray Restoration
Front Wheel Rim Before

Mike's Copper Schwinn Sting Ray Restoration
Front Wheel Hub Old Grease

I started polishing the wheels and wheel hubs like I normally do as a unit b hand.  After a while I realized it just wasn't going to work that way.  I broke the wheels completely down to use the polishing wheels.

The first photo below shows my progress by hand.  Not very good.

Mike's Copper Schwinn Sting Ray Restoration
Hand Polishing Results

Mike's Copper Schwinn Sting Ray Restoration
Rear Wheel Broken Down

Mike's Copper Schwinn Sting Ray Restoration
Rear Wheel Broken Down

Mike's Copper Schwinn Sting Ray Restoration
Rear Wheel Hub Before

Mike's Copper Schwinn Sting Ray Restoration
Front Wheel Broken Down

Mike's Copper Schwinn Sting Ray Restoration
Front Wheel Hub Before

Mike's Copper Schwinn Sting Ray Restoration
Front Wheel Hub Before

Using the polishing wheels and working through the grits the wheel hubs and rims turned out beautiful.  I could't be happier!!  I love this stuff!!
Mike's Copper Schwinn Sting Ray Restoration
Wheel Hubs & Rims Polished

Mike's Copper Schwinn Sting Ray Restoration
Wheel Hubs Polished

Mike's Copper Schwinn Sting Ray Restoration
Wheel Rims Polished

Mike's Copper Schwinn Sting Ray Restoration
Rear Wheel Hub Polished

Mike's Copper Schwinn Sting Ray Restoration
Rear Wheel Hub Polished

Mike's Copper Schwinn Sting Ray Restoration
Rear Wheel Hub Polished

Mike's Copper Schwinn Sting Ray Restoration
Rear Wheel Laced

Mike's Copper Schwinn Sting Ray Restoration
Front Wheel Hub Polshed

Mike's Copper Schwinn Sting Ray Restoration
Front Wheel Hub Polished

Mike's Copper Schwinn Sting Ray Restoration
Front Wheel Hub Polished

Mike's Copper Schwinn Sting Ray Restoration
Front Wheel Laced

Mike's Copper Schwinn Sting Ray Restoration
Axle Pieces Ready

Mike's Copper Schwinn Sting Ray Restoration
Rear Wheel Bearings Packed

Mike's Copper Schwinn Sting Ray Restoration
Front Wheel Bearings Packed

Mike's Copper Schwinn Sting Ray Restoration
Rear Wheel Complete

Mike's Copper Schwinn Sting Ray Restoration
Rear Wheel Complete

Mike's Copper Schwinn Sting Ray Restoration
Rear Wheel Rim Complete

Mike's Copper Schwinn Sting Ray Restoration
Front Wheel Complete

Mike's Copper Schwinn Sting Ray Restoration
Front Wheel Complete

Mike's Copper Schwinn Sting Ray Restoration
Front Wheel Rim Complete

Mike's Copper Schwinn Sting Ray Restoration
Wheels Complete
Check back for more.

The rear derailleur was very rough.  It was hard to break the derailleur down.  With it broken down it soaked for a long time to remove the rust.  After polishing the derailleur parts turned out pretty good.  Assembled the rear derailleur looks much much better. Best of all the derailleur function very smoothly.

Mike's Copper Schwinn Sting Ray Restoration
Rear Derailleur Before

Mike's Copper Schwinn Sting Ray Restoration
Rear Derailleur Before

Mike's Copper Schwinn Sting Ray Restoration
Rear Derailleur Before

Mike's Copper Schwinn Sting Ray Restoration
Rear Derailleur Exploded

Mike's Copper Schwinn Sting Ray Restoration
Rear Derailleur Polished

Mike's Copper Schwinn Sting Ray Restoration
Rear Derailleur Complete
 The shift lever took a lot of careful hand work.  I couldn't put some of the pieces into the rust remover because of the decals.  With time and patience the shift lever cleaned up and polished pretty nice.  It has rust pitting but overall I am happy with the results.  Installed it looks great!

Mike's Copper Schwinn Sting Ray Restoration
Shift Lever Before

Mike's Copper Schwinn Sting Ray Restoration
Shift Lever Before

Mike's Copper Schwinn Sting Ray Restoration
Shift Lever Before

Mike's Copper Schwinn Sting Ray Restoration
Shift Lever Polished

Mike's Copper Schwinn Sting Ray Restoration
Shift Lever Complete

Mike's Copper Schwinn Sting Ray Restoration
Shift Lever Installed
 The seat strut was the most difficult part by far on the copper Stingray.  The rust was pretty bad and near the bottom the rust damage was to bad to be saved. I ended up cutting about a 1/2 inch of the bottom of each side.  The removing of the half inch should't make much of a difference in the function of the struts.   I replaced the hardware nuts and bolts that connect the strut to the frame and the to the seat.  The original nuts and bolts where just to far gone with to much rust damage.  If I removed the rust and polished the pieces the pitting would still be to deep and the threads would not be the same.  The nut would fit to loosely and work its way off.  New stainless steel will be much better.  Completed I think the seat and the strut look a heck of a lot better then they did.  The Stingray is coming together nicely now. 
Mike's Copper Schwinn Sting Ray Restoration
Seat Post and Seat Struts Before

Mike's Copper Schwinn Sting Ray Restoration
Seat Struts Hardware Before

Mike's Copper Schwinn Sting Ray Restoration
Seat Before

Mike's Copper Schwinn Sting Ray Restoration
Seat Strut Before

Mike's Copper Schwinn Sting Ray Restoration
Seat Strut Before

Mike's Copper Schwinn Sting Ray Restoration
Seat Strut Before

Mike's Copper Schwinn Sting Ray Restoration
Seat Strut After

Mike's Copper Schwinn Sting Ray Restoration
Seat Strut After Rough Spot

Mike's Copper Schwinn Sting Ray Restoration
New Seat Strut Hardware

Mike's Copper Schwinn Sting Ray Restoration
New & Old Seat Bolts
 The chain guard took a lot of careful work.  The decals are very delicate and the rust is very close to the painted area.  I worked buy hand to remove the rust and then hand polished everything.  I am pretty happy with the results.  I love the chrome top of the chain guard, its a great look!

Mike's Copper Schwinn Sting Ray Restoration
Chain Guard Before

Mike's Copper Schwinn Sting Ray Restoration
Chain Guard Before

Mike's Copper Schwinn Sting Ray Restoration
Chain Guard Before

Mike's Copper Schwinn Sting Ray Restoration
Chain Guard Before

Mike's Copper Schwinn Sting Ray Restoration
Chain Guard Before

Mike's Copper Schwinn Sting Ray Restoration
Chain Guard Before

Mike's Copper Schwinn Sting Ray Restoration
Chain Guard Before

Mike's Copper Schwinn Sting Ray Restoration
Chain Guard Before

Mike's Copper Schwinn Sting Ray Restoration
Chain Guard After
 The brake elvers are a little rough but they cleaned up and polished very nice.  They look great installed.
Mike's Copper Schwinn Sting Ray Restoration
Brake Levers Before

Mike's Copper Schwinn Sting Ray Restoration
Brake Levers Polished
 The handlebar grips started rough but cleaned up very nice.  The photos where poor but they look a lot better in person.  Copper tone is so cool!

Mike's Copper Schwinn Sting Ray Restoration
Grips Before - Poor Photos

Mike's Copper Schwinn Sting Ray Restoration
Grips After - Poor Photos
 I thought a long time about the cable housings for the Copper Tone Stingray.  White is not right, gray isn't either.  I ended up choosing very nice light silver braided cables housings.  I think they look perfect for the Copper paint.
Mike's Copper Schwinn Sting Ray Restoration
New Cables & Cable Housings

Mike's Copper Schwinn Sting Ray Restoration
Brakes Wired

Mike's Copper Schwinn Sting Ray Restoration
Brakes & Grips Installed

Mike's Copper Schwinn Sting Ray Restoration
Bike Wired

Mike's Copper Schwinn Sting Ray Restoration
Bicycle Wired
 I ordered 3 new S-7 tires for the front wheel of the Copper Stingray and both tires on the black sting ray.  The tires have turned into a problem.  Through the rust I did not notice that the rims are the much more rare 20 inch S-5 or S-6 rims.  Fairly standard in all other sizes but rare in the 20 inch size.  The S-7 tires did not stay on the rims, they would roll off a little.  The original slick rear tire on the Copper Stingray was going to be used anyways.   For now I treated the original front tire and it looks good for now and should ride for now.  After a lot of searching today I have not found new tires in the S-7 size.  I will continue the search.  I am happy with how the Copper Stingray looks with the tires treated and installed.
Mike's Copper Schwinn Sting Ray Restoration
Original Slick Rear Wheel

Mike's Copper Schwinn Sting Ray Restoration
Original Slick Tire Installed

Mike's Copper Schwinn Sting Ray Restoration
Rear Wheel Slick Tire Installed

Mike's Copper Schwinn Sting Ray Restoration
Original Front Tire Installed

Mike's Copper Schwinn Sting Ray Restoration
Tires Installed
I have been using some unmatched pedals for testing.  In the morning I will finish the original pedals.   They have been fighting a little bit but should be good in the end.

The pedals didn't come back as well as I would have liked.  The thin pot metal was just to far gone to get a good polish on.  The pedals did come back some and they work very very well and they are kind of rare so definitely worth keeping.

Mike's Copper Schwinn Sting Ray Restoration
Pedals Before

Mike's Copper Schwinn Sting Ray Restoration
Pedals After
It took a good deal of tuning and then fine tuning but I am now very happy with how the Copper Stingray rides.  It is so fun to ride.  It handles on a dime and so easy to do a wheely!  Just so much fun.

Condition wise the Copper Stingray is not perfect, there are some pretty rough spots and some rust damage but that is not what we where shooting for on the Stingrays. They where meant to be brought back as far as they could, be rode a lot and to have fun.  I do think though the Copper Stingray looks fantastic!  I love that copper color!!  It is almost a burnt orange and I am a sucker for a an orange bike.  My dad has been by a lot to take a look at the Stingrays, he had the same one as a kid but in Campus Green.

Both of these Stingrays are tied for second in the most challenge bikes I have ever worked on and I am very proud of the results.

Mike's Copper Schwinn Sting Ray Restoration
Bicycle Complete

Mike's Copper Schwinn Sting Ray Restoration
Bicycle Complete

Mike's Copper Schwinn Sting Ray Restoration
Bicycle Complete - Handlebars

Mike's Copper Schwinn Sting Ray Restoration
Bicycle Complete - Handlebars

Mike's Copper Schwinn Sting Ray Restoration
Bicycle Complete - Head Tube

Mike's Copper Schwinn Sting Ray Restoration
Bicycle Complete - Front Brake

Mike's Copper Schwinn Sting Ray Restoration
Bicycle Complete - Front Wheel Hub

Mike's Copper Schwinn Sting Ray Restoration
Bicycle Complete - Front Wheel Rim

Mike's Copper Schwinn Sting Ray Restoration
Bicycle Complete - Stem

Mike's Copper Schwinn Sting Ray Restoration
Bicycle Complete - Shift Lever

Mike's Copper Schwinn Sting Ray Restoration
Bicycle Complete - Down Tube - Amazing Color!

Mike's Copper Schwinn Sting Ray Restoration
Bicycle Complete - Seat

Mike's Copper Schwinn Sting Ray Restoration
Bicycle Complete - Seat Tube Decals

Mike's Copper Schwinn Sting Ray Restoration
Bicycle Complete - Bottom Bracket

Mike's Copper Schwinn Sting Ray Restoration
Bicycle Complete - Drive Train

Mike's Copper Schwinn Sting Ray Restoration
Bicycle Complete - Rear Brake

Mike's Copper Schwinn Sting Ray Restoration
Bicycle Complete - Rear Derailleur

Mike's Copper Schwinn Sting Ray Restoration
Bicycle Complete - Rear Wheel Hub

Mike's Copper Schwinn Sting Ray Restoration
Bicycle Complete - Rear Wheel Rim

Mike's Copper Schwinn Sting Ray Restoration
Bicycle Complete
Thank you for the interest!
John Z.

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