JC Higgins Skip Tooth

[MazdaFlyer]

Picked up this J.C. Higgins at the KKOA show in Salina this weekend. Not sure if this was a ColorFlow model or not. It rides, brakes and steers. Tires will need replacing and saddle needs some work.
I have set of non rusty truss rods and bracket for it. Wheel set pretty true round and tight. It could be fall or winter project or one to flip. I like the deep fenders. Of course it's been repainted, so it is a blank canvas.

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[MazdaFlyer]

I got this from a vendor from Omaha. I just noticed a "like" from bikedudeomaha.


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[MazdaFlyer]

In Looking the bike over today more closely I find a Carlisle rear tire. It has some big cracks on one side but is holding air, probably ready to blow with any distance riding.

The pedals are marked Columbia.

I oiled the chain and was surprised to see how rust free it is. I've never had that experience, it looks pretty pristine.

J.C. Higgins hub and brake lever.

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[MazdaFlyer]

The markings and serial numbers on bottom bracket are:
MOS-P
MOD 502 273. (Not sure about the MOD)
138323

Any ideas on the frame build year.?


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[MazdaFlyer]

After posting last reply I looked at a thread on The CABE called Murray Serial Number Project. From it would appear to be a Murray built frame in 1958 sold by Sears and was a Model 273.
Thought it might be older based on drivetrain.

A thread here on RRB says MOS indicates 1953???

Then I saw another RRB posting that says the MOS-P the "P" indicates 1950???

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[MazdaFlyer]

Still no build year verification so I'll just call it a '50's.
I changed the seat post, added a temporary seat cover to ward off tetanus, changed out the truss rods and bracket. Also added new black walls. It had Carlisle thorn resistant tubes which still looked serviceable.

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[MazdaFlyer]

I keep tweaking this old ('50?) Higgins, to bad the rear reflector, tank and rack are gone.
I've added and replaced a few items. Can you find them?

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[DJ Bill]

The line made by the front fender brackets, the white stripe on the chainguard, and the rear fender suggest you my need to tweak that fork just a tiny bit. Or it is an optical illusion I am being fooled by......?

That paint scheme is just crying out for a Mayberry police badge somewhere..

 

[MazdaFlyer]

The line made by the front fender brackets, the white stripe on the chainguard, and the rear fender suggest you my need to tweak that fork just a tiny bit. Or it is an optical illusion I am being fooled by......?

That paint scheme is just crying out for a Mayberry police badge somewhere..

Yep, it is a Black and White alright. In looking at the old Sears catalog illustrations it seems that the front fender stays weren't level with the chainguard and rear fender brace. I have another Higgins with the same appearance. The forks don't appear to be bent.

 

[DJ Bill]

Man, that would drive me nuts....but if it is in a catalog shot like that, who am I to argue!

Nice truss rod set and bracket.. good and shiny!!

 

[Rustinkerer]

That dang Cabe thread causes me more problems!!! It's several years old, and while the mid 60s and up numbers seem right, the older ones they guessed on! A reprint of a 1959 Western Auto parts catalog was brought out a couple years after that, and it has the actual Murray codes from 1939-59. The Sears bikes have an extra S, so your 50 is stamped 'MOS-P', while a 50 Western Flyer (by Murray) would be stamped 'MO-P'.

 

[MazdaFlyer]

As it now sits...basic rat rod bike.

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[MazdaFlyer]

I found a Color Flow rack for it in about the same condition as the bike. Now I just need a Color Flow tank.


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[B607]

Nice job on the seat recover. That tea cup seat is one of the most comfortable old seats I have. Gary

 

[MazdaFlyer]

Nice job on the seat recover. That tea cup seat is one of the most comfortable old seats I have. Gary

Thanks. The seat is actually a replacement. I plan to recover the original though.


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[MazdaFlyer]

Installed the "new" Color Flow rack and "new" Higgins pedals.

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[MazdaFlyer]

1950 JC Higgins Deluxe Bike illustration.

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[assa9]

I have two of those bikes. Slightly different frame but both ride like cadillacs. I prefer the skip tooth drivetrain to the modern running gear. Awesome bike. I like the black and white color scheme.

 

[MazdaFlyer]

New reflector, not correct. A place holder for now.

Classic bike...

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[kingfish254]

Nice bling buddy!