Info on year make and model.

[Edward Stately]

• Today at 11:36 AM

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• #12

I was given this bike this morning. No head badge and the guy dropping it off has no idea what it is. I like the pinstripes on the rear rack. Looks like the bike was originally maybe a very dark blue or black that faded to a dark blue. Chain is rusted into one solid piece rear wheel spins good, front squeals non stop but turns. I'm going to just clean it up and maybe a bit of matte clear coat repack the bearings and find an old but working chain and tires. Serial number is on the left rear drop out. And is 3•808A. 191301
Any help with identification would be welcomed and appreciated.

 

[stezell]

Looks Murray built to me.

Sean

 

[AndyA]

Looks Murray built to me.

Sean

Brother Edward:
Like Sean says. Distinctive features include the "streamlined" dropouts and the chainwheel. Murray made bikes for Sears using this frame from about 1958 through 1962. Without the head badge it's difficult to tell the brand; Murray bikes were sold under a lot of names. I wouldn't bother with the clear coat. Clean up the frame with linseed oil (some folks prefer WD-40) and polish the chrome bits with chrome polish and aluminum foil or bronze wool. It will probably look better than you imagine. If you can find an old chain in decent shape, that's okay, but chains aren't expensive and new ones look very much like old ones and usually work better. There are lots of tips on this forum about spiffing up old bikes. Have fun!

 

[J-wagon]

Serial number is on the left rear drop out. And is 3•808A. 191301

If you remove the left rear axle nut / under braces probly reveal more serial starting with letters MO, then refer Murray date codes

 

[Archie Sturmer]

If you remove the left rear axle nut / under braces probably reveal more serial starting with letters MO, then refer Murray date codes

The serial numbers might have a "WG" prefix; and some of these black 808A Murray-built bikes are found to be Gambles Hiawatha bikes.
Murray called their own version of this 3-bar cantilever model the Murray Missile.

 

[Edward Stately]

If you remove the left rear axle nut / under braces probly reveal more serial starting with letters MO, then refer Murray date codes

You were correct. Found a WG the next number or letter is obscured by the dents left behind from a lock washer. I'm going to try clean it up later today. Thanks for the advice. I'm a bit closer.

I can ALMOST make out letters left behind on the chain guard, but nothing specific. I'm going to play with the filter's on my phones camera.

The serial numbers might have a "WG" prefix; and some of these black 808A Murray-built bikes are found to be Gambles Hiawatha bikes.
Murray called their own version of this 3-bar cantilever model the Murray Missile.

The serial numbers might have a "WG" prefix; and some of these black 808A Murray-built bikes are found to be Gambles Hiawatha bikes.
Murray called their own version of this 3-bar cantilever model the Murray Missile.

Found the WG under the washer. Thanks.

 

[Adamtinkerer]

Probably badged Hiawatha, Gambles' store badge. They went from metal head badges to decals during the mid-late '60s, and this frame was the basis for their 'Monterey' cruisers arriving in the late '70s, into the early '90s, when production moved overseas. The codes stamped on Murray built Hiawathas were store specific, and only the NBHAA has the information to decode them.