Flightliner date help please

[firstyearchevelle]

I'm reassembling this right now after cleaning parts and blasting the frame. There was so much paint (5 or 6 different colors) I could not read the serial before sand blasting. Serial # 502 463010 982100. What year is the frame?? Thanks...Jim

 

[brett4christ]

Cool bike! I'll be watching for the same info on mine! Who's name was on lour headbadge?

 

[firstyearchevelle]

No headbadge. Originally had a tank that was missing when I got it. It is a Sears bike.

 

[outskirtscustoms]

Same chain guard as my girl's flightliners, I'd guess 1960-1961. In 1962 I am told they went to a different chain guard.

 

[brett4christ]

Good info OSK!

My S# is 502 46662-243182

Any info welcomed.

 

[outskirtscustoms]

Mine also has the same rack.

 

[brett4christ]

Same rear rack here, too! But I have a crowned fork and truss rods that are in the shape of a "7" ( on the right side) and comes back into the crown on the forks, almost like a front rack base.

I just did a quicky search and I found a link to a sampling of the 1962 Sears Christmas Catalog. Enjoy....

http://www.flickr.com/photos/telstar/se ... 530731857/

Mine looks just like the one in the upper right of the page below (well only alot older and worn out) :

http://www.flickr.com/photos/telstar/21 ... 3530731857

 

[Leobeerguy]

Hi
I looked in my book on Elgin-J.C.Higgins Hawthorn Bicycles (page 142) by James Hurd. The first part of your number found is 502 this is your Model Number, the 463010 is the catalog Number. From what I see is that your bike is a 1963 26 inch regular coaster brake model. Listed as weighing 57Lbs. and costing then $47.95. I hope this helps, I have tracked most of my Higgins collection this way. Just picked up number 4. Leo

 

[brett4christ]

Leo, What does your "book of knowledge" say about my bike's serial number?

502 46662-243182

Thanks in advance!

 

[Houndog]

Any help on mine would be appreciated as well 502 46160 478351

 

[Leobeerguy]

Leo, What does your "book of knowledge" say about my bike's serial number?

502 46662-243182

Thanks in advance!

My guess looking at the numbers listed I would guess it to be a 1962 Flightliner, it was sold for $56.75 with the regular coaster brake. You could of paid $8.20 more and got the 2 speed kick back rear hub. Is this one a chrome version? According to the catalog it should be. Leo

 

[brett4christ]

Leo, yes it is a chrome frame single speed coaster brake! The only distinguishing component I don't have is the tank!

I thought it might be a 62 or 63.

Thanks for your help!

 

[Leobeerguy]

Any help on mine would be appreciated as well 502 46160 478351

Again just by looking in the catalog book this serial number looks to be a 1961 Flightliner. It should be a chrome frame, with the regular coaster brake. It sold for $57.95, and could of been upgraded to Automatic-shift Power Brake for $8.00 more.
I really love these old J.C. Higgins bikes, there is just something about them. My first collectable bike was a Higgins that I picked up in a junk shop in Chicago back in the early 1980's. I still have that one and just picked up my fourth one a few weeks ago.

 

[firstyearchevelle]

Thanks Leo, Much appreciated.

 

[Leobeerguy]

No problem, glad to help. Leo

 

[Houndog]

Thank you very much......