Mystery Bike ID

[soddruntlestuntle]

So I found this beaut for sale on our local Offer Up page:

I'm absolutely in LOVE with that chain guard. The ad doesn't mention a manufacturer or model. I've inquired with the seller, but haven't heard back yet. Any ideas?

 

[A.S.BOLTNUT]

Cool styling , usually that three piece crank would indicate it was probably built overseas I'd say most likely a Murray or Huffy , the guard caught my eye also.

Rafael

 

[soddruntlestuntle]

The seller says it's a JC Higgins, does that jive with any of you folks?

 

[HEMI426]

Could this be a Franken bike, there's alot going on there.

 

[soddruntlestuntle]

I've now spent the better part of two hours online trying to find something that looked similar. Bupkis. I think maybe I'll just stick with Schwinn.

 

[juvela]

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JC Higgins fits right in

stamped into the frame will be the Sears item number

a three digit prefix indicates the actual manufacturer

for example, 502 = Murray & 503 + Puch/Steyr of Austria

this chainset is of a design only seen from French producers afaik

the bezel surrounding the head of the drive side crank arm probably covers a threaded boss onto which threads the chainwheel
there is a retaining lockring for the chainwheel which resembles an adjustable bottom bracket cup lockring

the bottom bracket assembly appears it may be Thun/Thompson pattern

coaster brake rear hub will likely be a Fichtel & Sachs product with a brand name such as Torpedo or Centrix

this pattern of frame is termed a berceau - the French word for cradle

two French manufacturers employed by Sears were Motobecane and Riva-Sport


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[soddruntlestuntle]

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JC Higgins fits right in

stamped into the frame will be the Sears item number

a three digit prefix indicates the actual manufacturer

for example, 502 = Murray & 503 + Puch/Steyr of Austria

this chainset is of a design only seen from French producers afaik

the bezel surrounding the head of the drive side crank arm probably covers a threaded boss onto which threads the chainwheel
there is a retaining lockring for the chainwheel which resembles an adjustable bottom bracket cup lockring

the bottom bracket assembly appears it may be Thun/Thompson pattern

coaster brake rear hub will likely be a Fichtel & Sachs product with a brand name such as Torpedo or Centrix

this pattern of frame is termed a berceau - the French word for cradle

two French manufacturers employed by Sears were Motobecane and Riva-Sport


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WHOA. Thank you for all the info, that's incredibly helpful.

 

[AndyA]

Yes, that winged chain guard is cool. Maybe it doesn't make the bike faster, but it makes it look faster. The fluted fenders are cool, too. That design probably makes the fenders stiffer, as well as cool. Have fun!

 

[Adamtinkerer]

I don't see anything indicating JC Higgins badging. They most often imported from Daimler/Steyr/Puch. This one looks more like a Bauer, one of the smaller German co's.

 

[juvela]

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Bauer is a good suggestion.

Between a German origin and a French one there are a number of places to check

French origin:

pedals will be 14 X 1.25 metric thread

steerer will be 25.0mm X 1.0 thread

German origin:

pedals will be 9/16" X 20F thread

steerer will be 25.4mm X 24TPI thread

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the machine's bottom bracket assembly appears it may be Thun/Thompson pattern

if this is the case it will resemble this image -

Sears bicycles carry an item identification number stamped into the frame

if subject bicycle Sears you should be able to locate this marking

as mentioned above, the first three digits are a code indicating the machine's actual maker

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