i have 2 sets of schwinn forks both 5inch both tappered 1 set have a round end to the drop-out with 3 hole's each a little larger going down the drop-out. the other the drop outs have no round end (pretty standard looking) it also has 3 holes but the top and bottom hole are the same size with a larger hole in the middle. both have a front brake hole but it looks like the non-round end set the hole was drilled later so they prob didnt have the brake hole. i looked in the forum but couldnt seem to find any chat on it. i cab take a photo but not sure how to post it. thanks.

They are both Sting forks. Schwinn changed the design of the dropouts during 1980 I think. I have a bunch of Stings and there seems to be no rhyme or reason as to what fork is with what year frame though (As far as I can tell).

Stay tuned, Ted "The Mad Scientist" Carl will chime in here shortly and he knows ALL the details on the fork differences! You go Ted!!

to post a pic you need to host it somewhere like photobucket then put the http adress inbetween the two [img symbols and keep it small size like 640X480, and find the img symbols down at the full reply button at the bottom

[ February 07, 2007, 10:47 PM: Message edited by: pquinnbmx ]

the straight tab is the 79 version

the curved tab is the 80/81 version

Looks like you guys have that one under control! lol

http://www.schwinnbike.com/heritage/showth...highlight=sting

I would have to steer you to The Sting thread at the Schwinn site.

People like Scott, and many others have put a lot of data and facts together. It's all in there on the forks.

We are still trying to solve the little mysteries.

Like the letter B on some of the rear drop outs.

BTW, Scott's Sting collection is delicious. I still want the real white one he has.....

thanks all, assumed the straight tab forks were older. i have 2 compstings (sx2000) ser # DR800601 its nos the dark red , the other chrome FR803465 on this 1 the headtube badge isnt centered, closer to bottom. i have a chrome sting ser #J9T0349. pc

im sitting here lokking both the sting & comp. and inoticed something ive never heard any1 chat about. no biggie just to mention. looking in the b.b.. theres 4 holes , set mast, down tube & both chainstays. the sting holes are nuch larger i can fit my finger in the seat & down tube holes. the holes are very clean, no dill slag. the sx has the 4-holes but they are very small pee sized. not so clean 1 hole i can see slag from drilling. p.s. i looked and my "older forks" do have a hair line crack from drop-out to that first hole. any insight bought why the head tubebadge ( on sx &comps) is centered on some but lower on others ? i have my chrome sx/comp on ebay its the bike that had the newer forks so i quess its a comp. im keeping the forks, there in better shape than the frame. ive been debating selling 1 off the others as well, but cant decide which i want to keep. ofcourse the sting is worth more but the sx 2000 is nos candy red. i like to keep them both but its been a slow winter, later all !!

Here is a side profile of the two forks. The one on the right, does not a front brake hole.

[img]http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b293/spistols/DCP_1846.jpg?t=1170983128[/img]

FWIW, For added detail on a factory build, the older original forks on the right used the bottom hole for a safety tab washer. Thats why its so close to the axle. That is where they cracked.

The newer ones didn't use a tab washer, they used a narrower slot and a flat on the axle for the safety.

A piece of little known trivia. The Mini-Sting forks, often thought to be identical, aside from the steerer tube,actually have the dropouts spaced 1/4 inch closer together. They require a different hub spacing. It's true....