JC Higgins model and date help please

[HerrOtto]

Hello Newbie here, today I picked up an old 3 Speed, JC Higgins bike (made in Austria) that I would like help with the model name and date of manufacture. The numbers under the crank housing are as follows(I think)503 46420 & 1507036(the 5 may be a 6). I found no other numbers on the bike. No numbers behind the brake calipers or on the rear hub or right handle bar or on the drop downs by the rear axle. I have included pictures which I hope help I.D. the bike. Any help is greatly appreciated.

 

[wheelbender6]

Love the crankset.

 

[juvela]

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Cycle has one unique dimension to be aware of.

Its steerer has a diameter of 26.0mm which means the headset is special.

The D-section blades are a dating aid. Styria used them surprisingly late after the industry as a whole had ceased building with them. Have always guessed they got a great buy on them from way back when and had quite an inventory to work through.

It looks like we are in the 1960's here but the forum's many Sears experts will be able to give you a specific date.

Cycle manufactured in Graz. Styria is the name for the province/region where company is located so they employ it for one of their several names. Others include Steyr, Puch and Austro-Daimler.

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[Adamtinkerer]

It's pretty close to one shown in the '61 and '62 Sears catalogs, #4644, which had a front rack. This is probably a variant of that.

 

[Mr. Monkeyarms]

Super cool, lugged cantilever frame lightweight! Enjoy!

 

[juvela]

It's pretty close to one shown in the '61 and '62 Sears catalogs, #4644, which had a front rack. This is probably a variant of that.

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1961 Sears Fall Winter Catalog, Page 754 - Catalogs & Wishbooks

1961 Sears Fall Winter Catalog, Page 754

christmas.musetechnical.com

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[HerrOtto]

Thank you so much for that information and Sears catalog page. I believe that is my bike, as there is part of the front rack bracket on the head of the fork. Very exciting!

 

[HerrOtto]

I did notice that my bike has a chrome chain guard and the one in the 1961 catalog appears to be a painted one. I think mine is original. Perhaps my bike is that model but from the year before or after?

 

[juvela]

I did notice that my bike has a chrome chain guard and the one in the 1961 catalog appears to be a painted one. I think mine is original. Perhaps my bike is that model but from the year before or after?

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As @Adamtinkerer wrote above..."probably a variant"

if you are able to post further imagery am sure readers would enjoy to see it...

BTW - if tyres Semperit they are probably original


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[HerrOtto]

Tires are black wall and made in Taiwan (no brand name)