J.C. Higgins serial number

[rhenning]

I think 503 numbers are also Murray built bikes. The other numbers unlike automobiles tell you nothing. Roger

 

[Adamtinkerer]

I think 503 numbers are also Murray built bikes. The other numbers unlike automobiles tell you nothing. Roger

503 was imported bikes, 501, Westfield.

 

[rhenning]

Adam you are correct. Roger

 

[boffa]

Hi! I recently aquired a J.C. Higgins Hiawatha bike and I am trying to determine the year. I have read through the forum but still am unsure about its year. I have checked out the Parts Direct site but it did not provide any useful information for this.

The engraved information is:
M.O.T.S.-V
MOD-502 4546.0
215539

Thanks so much in advance for any information you can provide.

 

[SocalMedic]

I have an old bike with “Sears” badge on the headtube. Serial number on the drop bracket is “4 W278848”. Please help!!

 

[Adamtinkerer]

Hi! I recently aquired a J.C. Higgins Hiawatha bike and I am trying to determine the year. I have read through the forum but still am unsure about its year. I have checked out the Parts Direct site but it did not provide any useful information for this.

The engraved information is:
M.O.T.S.-V
MOD-502 4546.0
215539

Thanks so much in advance for any information you can provide.

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Welcome to the forum! The Hiawatha chain guard and crank/chain ring are not original, they're for an early '50s Cleveland Welding Co. built bike. The Murray/JC Higgins numbers can be confusing, but here's a chart from 1959.

1956 Murray built bikes were coded MOTV, except Sears bikes, which have an extra S, hence, 'MOTS-V'. Your bike was originally a deluxe model with a rank and rear rack.

 

[Adamtinkerer]

I have an old bike with “Sears” badge on the headtube. Serial number on the drop bracket is “4 W278848”. Please help!!View attachment 939506
View attachment 939507

We really need a full pic of the chain guard side of the bike, but it's definitely not Murray built. Possibly CBC/Ross or Huffy, 4 indicating 1964, first year of Sears badged bikes.

 

[billyjones]

JC Higgins Deluxe, 1949 according to a senior member here in this thread..

Murray serial number project. | Classic Balloon Tire Bicycles 1933-1965

Hey Kurt, I just converted my " Stationwagon " Suburban from high riser/ low bars to mini 9" apes. Just a thought. Or another idea.... Rat it out like my WF '68 "RaTsoNiC" Any clue what the original frame color was?

thecabe.com

 

[AndyA]

Maybe something there says Murray?

Nothing says "Murray" more than the streamlined tails on the rear dropouts. Pics are Sears Flightliner, Sears Spaceliner, and Western Auto Cosmic Flyer, all Murray built.

 

[billyjones]

Sold my last 2 winged dropout Murrays to an awesome CABE member