When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.

J.C. Higgins mens bike.

-

Lowjack'r

Look Ma, No Hands!
Hello I'm Jack from The Netherlands.
Today i've finaly got my second J.C. Higgins bike.

073 Torenstraat b.jpg
This time it's this mens bike.
Which i've spotted for the first time a few years ago, in my hometown 's-Hertogenbosch in The Netherlands.
This was during the time that i was restoring my J.C. Higgins ladies bike, which you can see on the following page.
About 2 years ago i've tried to buy this bike, from the guy who was the owner @ that moment.
He did use this bicycle as an advertising object for his restaurant @ that time.
(You can still read the text for his restaurant, on the side of the rear rack.)
And he was willing to sell the bike, but we couldn't agree on the price.

Today my son texted me about this bike, telling me that.
His girlfreind did have contacted the owner of the bike.
They wanted to buy the bike as a christmas gift for me.
But because they don't know, what to pay for a bike like this.
He asked me what i did offer for it, when i tried to buy it.
A few minutes later, he texted me that they have bought the bike for me.

Mens bike 001.jpg


And now i'm the owner of this bike.
They finaly have payed € 30,00 for it, which is about $ 34.00.
What's the same $$ as what i've offered before, when i tried to buy the bike.

Mens bike 002.jpg


The bottom bracket shows.
MOTS W (i think)
MOD 502 45460 (pretty sure of this)
177111 ( for sure)
If there somebody out here, who can tell me what these numbers mean.
I would apreciate all information.

I will post better pictures asap.
Like to hear what you think about it.
 
Someone will let you know about the numbers (the 502 just indicates it was built for Sears). The bike was built by Murray Ohio Mfg.(or just Murray) and it seems that your bike might have started life as either a Higgins Colorflow or Jetflow model from sears
 
Thanks you all, for your replies.
Looked at the bike again today, and made some new and detail pictures.
I've posted some questions below the pictures.

Mens bike 003v.jpg


Mens bike 005v.jpg


Mens bike 006v.jpg

Front rack, headbadge and handlebar.
Is this handlebar correct for this bike?
Which models did have this headbadge?
The front rack, could that be something from the USA?

Mens bike 009v.jpg

Rusty but working skiptooth chain, chainring & sprocket.

Mens bike 007v.jpg

After scraping off some paint, this decal showed up at the left frontfork leg.
Which models did have this kind of decals on the forklegs?

Mens bike 011av.jpg

Inscriptions on the rear hub.
Mens bike 011bv.jpg

Can this hub be correct for the bike?

Mens bike 012v.jpg

Tires and rims, are these rims correct for this bike?
Tires are cracked but still do hold some air.
 
I've been looking around on the web.
I think i now what model my bike is or has been.

Frames b.jpg

Looking at some frames, i believe my bike has a Jet Flow Frame.
I think my bike has been build up with parts from different bikes.
Because, while searching the web on JCH Jet Flow bikes.
The frontfork showing stars on the legs, the peaked fenders & the skiptooth chain and cogs.
Don't show up on any of the Jet Flow bikes.

Jet Flow Bike b.jpg

All the Jet Flow bikes i could find, did have Beehive springer forks.
I would like to put a tank back on, but i don't believe i can find one anywhere.
And if I can find one somewhere, i'm afraid it will be way too expensive before it's in the Netherlands.
So now i need to make my mind up, about what i'm gonna do with the bike.
 
I've been looking around on the web.
I think i now what model my bike is or has been.

View attachment 1519484
Looking at some frames, i believe my bike has a Jet Flow Frame.
I think my bike has been build up with parts from different bikes.
Because, while searching the web on JCH Jet Flow bikes.
The frontfork showing stars on the legs, the peaked fenders & the skiptooth chain and cogs.
Don't show up on any of the Jet Flow bikes.

View attachment 1519508
All the Jet Flow bikes i could find, did have Beehive springer forks.
I would like to put a tank back on, but i don't believe i can find one anywhere.
And if I can find one somewhere, i'm afraid it will be way too expensive before it's in the Netherlands.
So now i need to make my mind up, about what i'm gonna do with the bike.
Yes Jetflow frame, I think Columbia forks not sure and those are Schwinn wheels
 
Thanks you all, for your replies.
Looked at the bike again today, and made some new and detail pictures.
I've posted some questions below the pictures.

View attachment 1518278

View attachment 1518286

View attachment 1518292
Front rack, headbadge and handlebar.
Is this handlebar correct for this bike?
Which models did have this headbadge?
The front rack, could that be something from the USA?

View attachment 1518287
Rusty but working skiptooth chain, chainring & sprocket.

View attachment 1518288
After scraping off some paint, this decal showed up at the left frontfork leg.
Which models did have this kind of decals on the forklegs?

View attachment 1518289
Inscriptions on the rear hub.
View attachment 1518290
Can this hub be correct for the bike?

View attachment 1518291
Tires and rims, are these rims correct for this bike?
Tires are cracked but still do hold some air.
Nah frame serial would have to be a MOP or MOQ for that Morrow hub. 50(T) was also morrow's last run for hubs.
Screenshot_20211129-152010.png


The fork shape does look like Murray and I know I've seen Elgins with stars on the side of the fork like that, but I'm not sure I've seen them on JC Higgins. I'm thinking the last Higgins I had with a regular fork was the double crown(plates) type.
 
1519630

I generally try to use this with Sears/Murray bikes that have the MO- stamps. I can't say how accurate it is so you may need to 50/50 compare it to a specific year & model. Hope it helps some ....
 
Back
Top