Murray serial number project.

[Rivnut]

Probably the unique serial number for this specific bike.

 

[Adamtinkerer]

I have a Higgins straight bar. Can’t find the usual numbers on the bottom bracket, or they aren’t visible. I did find some numbers stamped on left dropout but it doesn’t look like any that I can find on here. They look stamped in different orientation and format. Any ideas as to year/model? Numbers read M438328

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'M4' is '49 on Westfield built bikes.

 

[Yates/ vintage]

Needed to do this for a while, so here is what I have figured out so far. There has been many people along the way that has contributed and a few that has helped set me straight. hahaah.

I don't know how far back this goes , but I know that Murray used a single letter to represent the year since at least 1949. Most of these bikes up until the early 60's had the serial number stamped on the bottom of the bottom bracket. I have seen the letters MOS stamped on most of these. I ASSUME that they stand for Murray of Ohio Supply. This is usually followed by a - and a single letter. That letter will be the year code. After the year code will be a 2 or 3 digit number that stands for the model number. This excludes bikes built for Sears and Gambles(Hiawatha). Sears bikes had a 502 and Gambles bikes had a WG or a WG and a single digit. Sears bikes then had a 2 - 5 digit number afterwards that stood as the model number and was actually used in there catalogs as the part number. Gambles Hiawathas were the same way.

F = 49
G = 50
H = 51
I = 52
J = 53
K = 54
L = 55
M = 56
N = 57
P = 58
R = 59
S = 60
T = 61
U = 62
W = 63
X = 64
Y = 65

In 65 they were changing there serial number style and by then they were on the left rear dropout. Some 65 bikes had an MO5 which stood for Murray of Ohio 1965. After these 3 digits was a 2 or 3 digit model number followed by and X and a 1 or 2 digit number that I will discuss momentarily.
MO5 = 65
MO6 = 66
MO7 = 67
MO8 = 68
In 69, they changed the layout yet again. They dropped the O. They also went to a 4 digit model number.
M9 = 69
M0 = 70
and so on.
This is what I have so far on the X numbers. We need to add to the list as more show up. Ron and I were talking about these numbers recently. We figure that a customer had to order a minimum number of bikes per order to have there own X number. If they didn't order a minimum number of bikes, they possibly shared an X number with a Murray badged bike. Kenny.
X6 or X6? = Otasco
X7 = BF Goodrich
X10 = Westernflyer (Western Auto)
X12 = All Pro (Kmart)
X13 = Murray
X18 = Hiawatha (Gambles)
X25 = Foremost (JC Penneys)
X28 = ?
X43 = Murray
X55 = Murray
X67 = Sportscrest
X69 = Special for 1969 (in 69 only, could have been used other years as a different meaning)
X70 = Special for 1970 (in 70 only, could have been used other years as a different meaning)
X71 = Sportscrest (?) Also Special for 1971 (in 71 only,could have been used other years as different meaning)
X81 = Murray
X82 = Murray
X83 = Might actually be a Sears number??????
X84 = Murray

I have this Murray and number is on neck of bike , believe it's a wildcat . 1965??

 

[GTs58]

I have this Murray and number is on neck of bike , believe it's a wildcat . 1965??

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Your serial is not on the drop out, so it's later. It has the BMA sticker on the seat post also, and that was 70's.

 

[Yates/ vintage]

Your serial is not on the drop out, so it's later. It has the BMA sticker on the seat post also, and that was 70's.

Thanks ,other thought on that is 00573,may of 73???

 

[GTs58]

Thanks ,other thought on that is 00573,may of 73???

Since the serials were stamped in a new location, they could have repeated the earlier system. MO5 on the head tube could be 1975. ???

 

[Yates/ vintage]

Since the serials were stamped in a new location, they could have repeated the earlier system. MO5 on the head tube could be 1975. ???

Either way it's cool old bike , wildcat model .had upgraded Matthews gooseneck and bars and eliminator front end on it .raced at Zoar BMX track in Springville NY in ,70 s,

 

[82 ST Racing]

I have a Foremost Wildcat I'd like to pin down a year on.

 

[30thtbird]

I believe yours is a first year 64. The number 28 is the model number. It was fenderless as yours is. X24 and X25 I have seen on Foremost badged bikes. Foremost was sold by J.C.Penneys. The tires and pedals are not original. The bracket on the headset and the bottle bracket are obviously not original. The rear tire was a studded 2.125 and the front a regular tread 1.75. The were either J.C. Penney tires or Carlisle. More than likely Carlisle. The pedals were a white diamond block non reflector design. The handle grips are not original either, but are period correct after market add ons.

The reason that I believe it's a first year 64 is .....
the 36 spoke rear wheel
the 24 spoke front wheel
the small diameter front sprocket
and the fact the it still has all Murray identifications which are....
the Wildcat name instead of the Swinger name used on the newer models
the Murray "M" used on the front fork
It also has the early version of the Foremost headbadge

 

[30thtbird]

Have a theory here. Look on the bottom of the frame under the crank and see if the is anything at all stamped there. Like maybe a letter Y.