Murray serial number project.

[Duxrule]

I just got hold of his-n-hers Western Flyer 5-speeds; I'm pretty sure that they're early-70's Murrays. Can these be deciphered?

 

[TammyKirksey]

I just bought a Murray AMC VIII bike blue in color with this serial number stamped on the bracket:
MOW 41X88 105218
Trying to identify the type of bike and when it was made-it is a Birthday gift for my 25 year daughter next week.
I would also like advice on replacing the batteries in the lights-no idea how they come out or in-the pics are really bad because the bike is hidden so my daughter cannot see it-it is a surprise-I can try and wheel it out later for better photos but see what you can do with this- it's start

 

[mrg]

Pics always helps!

 

[TammyKirksey]

Pics always helps!

You're right sorry I just posted several not great but it is a start-I am totally new to this so please be kind

 

[Rivnut]

Your AMC tank is just like my Hiawatha tank. The tank halves are hinged at the back with a rivet. The "U" shaped piece on the back holds it in place against a bar between the two frame rails. The front is held in place by the head light bezel. Once the headlight bezel has been removed, the two halves can be pryed apart giving you access to the battery box.

Reaize that AMC was a conglomerate that bought en masse and sold bikes under the AMC name through Mom and Pop hardware stores in towns that didn't have big box stores like Sears, Pennys, Gambles, etc. You won't find a code for AMC. (I have an AMC Caravan.) Hopefully one of the aficianodos can help you with the date.

 

[T-Smoke]

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 believe i recently acquired a Murray frame, looks very similar to a Schwinn Stingray because everything on it was Schwinn. VIN # M05 or MO5 477990 521222. Just looking for more information. Year built, model, pretty much anything. Thanks.

 

[Archie Sturmer]

Check out the first post on the thread.

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.

(That would be the same post that you already quoted?).

 

[louisr]

the 1940 advert for the Murray Speedsters has a flopped image! cranks on the left side ...only one I ever heard of was Sheldon Browne who built a bike like that for fun

 

[Mad Mike]

How about a Mercury Aero?
MO-P 24
261585

 

[Adamtinkerer]

How about a Mercury Aero?
MO-P 24
261585

View attachment 1315361

P = 1950 in your case.