1970 Schwinn Sting-Ray Pea Picker Krate Bicycle

**THIS VINTAGE BICYCLE IS CURRENTLY SELLING WITH NO RESERVE ON A BRING-A-TRAILER ONLINE AUCTION. THE AUCTION ENDS ON WEDNESDAY APRIL 23RD @ 4:21PM EST. IT'S PART OF A 6- SCHWINN STING RAY KRATE COLLECTION THAT IS SELLING INDIVIDUALLY. IF YOU'RE INTERESTED IN PURCHASING PLEASE REGISTER WITH BRING-A-TRAILER TO BID. IT'S A QUICK AND SIMPLE PROCESS. PLEASE CALL WITH ANY QUESTIONS.**

“For many children living in America in the 1960's and 1970's, their first taste of freedom and adventure came on the wheels of a bicycle. In the days when motorcycles, muscle cars and drag racers filled every kid with the need for speed, the bicycle was the answer. And the bike of choice? The Schwinn Sting-Ray. The coolest, most coveted of the Sting-Rays was the Krate, a bike name that puts a smile on the face of those who once owned this iconic ride.” – Schwinn Bicycle Company.

The Schwinn Bicycle Company is an American company that develops, manufactures and markets bicycles under the Schwinn brand new. The company was founded by Ignaz Schwinn in Chicago in 1895 and in the 20th century became the dominant manufacturer of American bicycles. Schwinn introduced the original Sting-Ray in 1963 after the company realized kids in California had been customizing their bikes to look like motorcycles. Bikes were fitted with 20-inch wheels, elongated seats, rear “sissy bars” and ape hanger handlebars. It didn't take long for Schwinn to develop a similar style. Al Fritz, Schwinn's director of research and development, recommended the Sting-Ray as a way to replicate the style California kids were looking for. The Sting-Ray quickly became the bestselling bike in Schwinn's history. These kids' bikes featured a coaster brake on the large back wheel and wide-stance handlebars that were perfect for popping wheelies. The connection of the bike's name with the (at the time) Corvette helped solidify the connection between the bicycle and glorified automobiles of the sixties. Before long, the Sting-Ray was synonymous with suburban youth in the 1960's.

In 1968, Schwinn introduced what is likely the most memorable edition of the Sting-Ray line to date: the Schwinn Krate. The Krates took over the bike world in 1968. The Krate was to Sting-Ray what dragsters were to automobiles. In fact, the Krate name was borrowed from a popular California dragster in 1968. What really made the bike stand out was the unique stick shift mounted on the top tube, right between the seat and the handlebars. These bikes had features that weren't just advanced for the Sting-Ray collection, but for bicycles in general. Such features included front and rear suspension via articulating forks in front and a spring loaded sissy bar for a “floating seat” out back. A drum-style front brake was located up front while a mechanical disc brake was set up in the rear. There was plenty of pizzazz too, as the bikes were dressed up with a bright front fork, ape hanger bars and chrome fenders on both ends. And with a 20-inch slick back tire and a 16-ince front wheel, they truly looked like a bicycle version of chopper motorcycles. In 1968, the Krates consisted of three models: The Apple Krate, (red), The Lemon Peeler (yellow) and The Orange Krate. In 1969 and 1970, The Pea Picker (green) and The Cotton Picker (white) made their way onto the scene. The white Krate incorporated the revolutionary Schwinn Sting-Ray design with gears, full-floating ride and features that were “sure to fill your imagination”. Finally in 1971, Schwinn introduced The Gray Ghost. The Schwinn Sting-Ray Krate produced ended in 1973. In 2020, the next generation of Krates was born: The Krate EVO. The Krate EVO put a fresh twist on the classic 1960's and 1970's Krate style. The original Schwinn Sting-Ray Krate bicycles were only produced for 5 years and 50+ years later are considered highly collectable.

This 1970 Schwinn Sting-Ray Pea Picker Krate bicycle is a great example. In 1970, it was offered in five models which included the Apple krate, Lemon Peeler, Orange Krate, Pea Picker and the newly introduced Cotton Picker. This example is serial #FF 026740 which indicates it was produced in June of 1970. For the 1970 models, some new features were offered which include the Sting-Ray handlebar, Stik-Shift levers numbered knob, deeper bucket seat, spring suspension front fork and buffed lettered rear tire. It was the product of a correct restoration using mostly NOS and OEM parts throughout. This bicycle is in show quality condition throughout. The frame and chain guard was repainted in the correct color Green. It's equipped with a unique 5-speed Stik-Shift, spring suspension front fork, 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. It rolls on a Schwinn 16” x 1 ¾ middleweight front tire and Schwinn Sting Ray Slik 20” x 2.125 rear tire.