I am a new joiner to this forum, so, forgive me if some of my questions have been answered elsewhere (I did look, I promise).

I included a link to some pics at the end of this post as I thought it would help.

I just got a 1980 Sting from ebay. Thanks to the help of others on this site, I have confirmed that it has a Sting Serial number and is from 1980. Anyhow, I am looking the bike over and I have a few questions.

First, I thought I had heard that Sting head badge was never the screw in type - not sure if they just stuck on or what. Mine is a screw in style but, it is the correct shape (much more round than oval). The head badge says Chicago on it and has a 0660 imprinted on the right had side. Is this normal?

Second, the chrome on the frame is not like what you would see with a handlebar etc. It is kind of more dull and seems to have light marks that run up and down the frame. Not sure if it may have been rechromed or badly polished etc..

Third, I see some small holes in the brazed sections of the frame. A very small one at the seat tube/down tub junction and one at the head tub junction. I assume that this is normal as nothing is perfect.

Forth, the fork is set up with a brake. I am not sure when the front brake was introduced, but, I thought it was after 1980. I know some people drilled them, so, this may be the case with the fork that I have.

Lots of questions I know. My concern is that my personal memory of the Sting is from a long time ago. Just wanted to run these things past some of the experts that are on this site. Any help would be appreciated.

Here is a link to the pictures that I mentioned at the beginning of my post:

http://picasaweb.google.com/stanhillstrom/Sting?feat=email#

Head badges are screwed on. Round Chicago correct.

Assembled on the 66th day of 1980 from the number on the head badge.

Chrome was better than most in the industry. If it's dull, it's been dulled with use and possibly steel wool, or the like.

See the link on my signature for more Sting details.

I see you already found the Schwinn forums too. THere is a Sting thread there. 25 pages long or so that I started years ago.

Thanks Carl. I will run though the additional information you provided. The link to the pics was not working so, I re-posted on a new site.

http://s901.photobucket.com/albums/ac218/i...mview=slideshow

Thanks again.