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The Story of the Scout Krate
In the height of the 1960’s Muscle Car era, Schwinn Bicycles out of Chicago decided to create a muscle bike for young boys. The “Krate” style, based on their StingRay model, was born. The Krates were produced between 1968 and 1973. The names given were based on the color of the bike. There were Orange Krates, Apple Krates, Lemon Peelers, Pea Pickers, Cotton Pickers and Grey Ghosts.
Schwinn never made a blue Krate, nor did they ever make a “Scout Krate”. This one of a kind “Scout Krate” is based on a rusty Lemon Peeler frame and a box of rusty parts from the era - a literal basket case.
In February 2008, I was asked to become Cubmaster of Rockton, Illinois Pack 619. In early Spring, my sons and I thought it would be really cool to create a Krate with a cub scout theme. We would then use this bike
in parades as well as for recruiting events. In order to avoid ruining an original Krate we decided that parts in need of new paint, cleaning, and restoration would be the way to go.
In April 2008, as soon as we had all of the parts, we began stripping, cleaning and polishing the parts. We decided to do the bike frame in metallic blue with yellow accents. My sons Christopher, Benjamin and I took our time to make sure that the result would be a hit. Here are a few of the before-during-and-after pictures we took of the bike.
Various scout themes can found on the bike such as "Be Prepared" and "On my Honor, Timeless Values". The bike was completed in early August 2008. I often hear stories from adults about the Stingrays and Krates they had as a child. In most cases, it has been decades since they’ve last seen one. Heike, my wonderful wife and awesome mother, thanks for your patience with us during this project.
I wish the originators at Schwinn could see this bike now. We began the project with this mindset - Select a unique project, do not set any timeline, do not stop until you reach perfection, and enjoy the journey.
Sincerely,
Max Golter
September 2008
Schwinn never made a blue Krate, nor did they ever make a “Scout Krate”. This one of a kind “Scout Krate” is based on a rusty Lemon Peeler frame and a box of rusty parts from the era - a literal basket case.
In February 2008, I was asked to become Cubmaster of Rockton, Illinois Pack 619. In early Spring, my sons and I thought it would be really cool to create a Krate with a cub scout theme. We would then use this bike
in parades as well as for recruiting events. In order to avoid ruining an original Krate we decided that parts in need of new paint, cleaning, and restoration would be the way to go.
In April 2008, as soon as we had all of the parts, we began stripping, cleaning and polishing the parts. We decided to do the bike frame in metallic blue with yellow accents. My sons Christopher, Benjamin and I took our time to make sure that the result would be a hit. Here are a few of the before-during-and-after pictures we took of the bike.
Various scout themes can found on the bike such as "Be Prepared" and "On my Honor, Timeless Values". The bike was completed in early August 2008. I often hear stories from adults about the Stingrays and Krates they had as a child. In most cases, it has been decades since they’ve last seen one. Heike, my wonderful wife and awesome mother, thanks for your patience with us during this project.
I wish the originators at Schwinn could see this bike now. We began the project with this mindset - Select a unique project, do not set any timeline, do not stop until you reach perfection, and enjoy the journey.
Sincerely,
Max Golter
September 2008
The Story of Scoutback
The Scoutback is based on a 1970’s Schwinn Fastback. Some of you may recall the Cub Scout themed blue and yellow “Scout Krate.” In 2009, a rough used blue Fastbackwas purchased with the intent to create an older brother for the Scout Krate. Both bikes were created to pay tribute to the “100 Year Anniversary of Scouting in the USA” in 2010.
The Scoutback was created as a Boy Scout themed bike using green and khaki colors. With my older son Christopher becoming a young man approaching Boy Scout age, we thought a Boy Scout themed bike would be a neat project. Of course we had to base this on a really cool bike – a Schwinn 5-speed Fastback. It made sense to take a bike that was complete, however not mint since we were going to repaint it anyway.
Here are a few before, during and after photos of this project. We selected components which we thought would ensure that a Boy Scout has everything he needs to “Be Prepared” for things he might encounter on a bike trip. We hope you have as much enjoyment viewing this bike as we have had making it. With all the dust, paint overspray, and grime which is created with a project like this, we would like to especially thank mom, my wife Heike, for her patience during the project. We especially enjoy the reactions when we use this bike for parades, riding through town and promoting the Scouting program. Young boys enjoy it because the bike
shines and is different. Many are scouts themselves. Adults enjoy it because in many cases they had a similar Schwinn bike when they were a child. Now, my two sons Christopher and Benjamin can each ride their Scout themed bikes and show their pride as members in the Scouting program.
Sincerely,
Max Golter
March 12, 2010
The Scoutback was created as a Boy Scout themed bike using green and khaki colors. With my older son Christopher becoming a young man approaching Boy Scout age, we thought a Boy Scout themed bike would be a neat project. Of course we had to base this on a really cool bike – a Schwinn 5-speed Fastback. It made sense to take a bike that was complete, however not mint since we were going to repaint it anyway.
Here are a few before, during and after photos of this project. We selected components which we thought would ensure that a Boy Scout has everything he needs to “Be Prepared” for things he might encounter on a bike trip. We hope you have as much enjoyment viewing this bike as we have had making it. With all the dust, paint overspray, and grime which is created with a project like this, we would like to especially thank mom, my wife Heike, for her patience during the project. We especially enjoy the reactions when we use this bike for parades, riding through town and promoting the Scouting program. Young boys enjoy it because the bike
shines and is different. Many are scouts themselves. Adults enjoy it because in many cases they had a similar Schwinn bike when they were a child. Now, my two sons Christopher and Benjamin can each ride their Scout themed bikes and show their pride as members in the Scouting program.
Sincerely,
Max Golter
March 12, 2010