Tank, frame, chainguard and now a fork!

[Terry66]

Building the Hot Rod Higgins was a blast. Fresh paint, pinstriping, new wheels/rubber, etc....but I have been wanting to build a sweet patina fat tire machine. Kind of like the Higgins trashy sister. I've been collecting parts but I hit the jackpot of cool retro vintage patina. I've see a few of you guys with these and always wanted a set. In my opinion these are the coolest graphics ever produced....I've got almost everything I need...cool striped springer seat, beehive springer fork, used cream ThickBricks, sweet looking apes, patina'd white WF grips.....

 

[Walker]

Re: Now that's what I'm talking about....

Nice :!:

 

[dogdart]

Re: Now that's what I'm talking about....

JACKPOT for sure , can't wait to see this one

 

[1918 Ranger]

Re: Now that's what I'm talking about....

Awesome tank. I have a pair of western flyers with that tank and the graphics are the best. Love the jet plane!!!


1918 Ranger

 

[Wildcat]

Re: Now that's what I'm talking about....

No bike, just the tank, Murray I think. I bought mine from a member here, did a little work to it, but no frame to fit it to. My Western Flyer is a CWC, so it's just for display and my signature. Still glad I bought it.

 

[62hotrod]

Re: Now that's what I'm talking about....

yep your right they definitely look good should be very nice what ever you put them on...........

 

[kingfish254]

Re: Now that's what I'm talking about....

Slick find!!!!
Can't wait to see it fall into place!!!

 

[Pappy]

Re: Now that's what I'm talking about....

Another set of the Murray "mystery" tanks...in real good condition too! Now lets see if my pal Marty (10~18 Kustoms) chimes in on these. Exceptional find...the perfect set to build around...Good Luck...P 8)

 

[Terry66]

Re: Now that's what I'm talking about....

Thanks guys...I am stoked over these. Exactly what I was looking for. They are Murray built for sure. In fact, I just bolted them on the Hot Rod Higgins (also a Murray built). I also compared them to the tank on my Higgins and they appear to be the exact same tank. Here is the frame they went on. Notice it has the straight middle bar and not the curved that would take the tank with the wings under it. Although, my Higgins tank had the holes for the lower wings, so I bet even if I got a curved bar, I could slap a set of wings on this tank. Might look kinda cool! One of my buds has a Murray built Higgins middleweight and it looks like the same tank on those as well. Anyway, here is the '51 Murray built Higgins frame they go on...Pretty easy to ID as it has lugging where the bars intersect with the seat tube. The

Here is the CWC built '54 Western Flyer. The top tube doesn't curve as much as the Murray built and the frame is slightly too long for the Murray tank to fit...

Now I just need to find a frame....Memory Lane is coming up and so is the fall show at DaddyKatz....although I want to have this project entered in the Rat competition at DaddyKatz on Nov 3.

 

[Terry66]

Re: Now that's what I'm talking about....

Here is a link to Mark's Higgins with the curved middle tube. Check out the tank shape and the tin wings bolted under it. It's a more common frame. I so bet that would work! :lol:

viewtopic.php?f=35&t=63631

 

[Terry66]

Re: Now that's what I'm talking about....We have a frame!

SO, I saw that Skip (thatismytruck) combined two Higgins bike for his latest build off, so I contact him about the leftover frame. He was super cool and gave me a sweet deal on the frame and shipping. A few days later, it shows up at my house. It is a Higgins badged Murray frame. Murray also made the Western Flyers that went with my new tanks. I wasn't 100% sure it was the same frame, but I mounted up the tank and it is a perfect fit. Also stuck a 24X3 in the back and it is perfect. The only downside is I am not thrilled with the color, so I'll probably paint it black and white and give it some fake patina. Then throw a WF badge on it.

 

[kingfish254]

Re: Now that's what I'm talking about....We have a frame!

Sick and sweet!!!
VERY Jealous!!!

 

[1918 Ranger]

Re: Now that's what I'm talking about....We have a frame!

SO, I saw that Skip (thatismytruck) combined two Higgins bike for his latest build off, so I contact him about the leftover frame. He was super cool and gave me a sweet deal on the frame and shipping. A few days later, it shows up at my house. It is a Higgins badged Murray frame. Murray also made the Western Flyers that went with my new tanks. I wasn't 100% sure it was the same frame, but I mounted up the tank and it is a perfect fit. Also stuck a 24X3 in the back and it is perfect. The only downside is I am not thrilled with the color, so I'll probably paint it black and white and give it some fake patina. Then throw a WF badge on it.

Hey I see u found a frame. Looks good!!


1918 Ranger

 

[Houndog]

Re: Now that's what I'm talking about....We have a frame!

Can't wait to see this done!!! I realy like it!!!!

 

[Terry66]

Re: First a tank, then a frame, now a chainguard!

So first we had a tank

Then a frame

Now a chainguard! It isn't a perfect match as the Aero Line was a Murray badged but the patina and the graphics are a perfect "rat match" if you ask me! I can't wait to get started on this one! Still need to collect a few more parts! A chopped red rear fender....some black 24 wheels, whitewall ThickBricks and a big old set of apes. I think I want a standard non-springer fork on this one with truss rods.

 

[kingfish254]

Re: First a tank, then a frame, now a chainguard!

You are right about the patina match.
I love those graphics. It would be fun to re-create something with the feel of those graphics on a future build.

 

[Terry66]

Re: First a tank, then a frame, now a chainguard!

You are right about the patina match.
I love those graphics. It would be fun to re-create something with the feel of those graphics on a future build.

Yeah, something "Buck Rogers" like MoFaux, but a dirtier rat version?

 

[Rockit!]

Re: First a tank, then a frame, now a chainguard!

Yeah man this one is gonna be sweet.

 

[kingfish254]

Re: First a tank, then a frame, now a chainguard!

You are right about the patina match.
I love those graphics. It would be fun to re-create something with the feel of those graphics on a future build.

Yeah, something "Buck Rogers" like MoFaux, but a dirtier rat version?

Oh man that gave me a cool idea. Maybe I can find a metal 60s era jet plane toy and cut it down the middle, then mount each half on the sides of a tank.

 

[Terry66]

Re: First a tank, then a frame, now a chainguard!

Yeah man this one is gonna be sweet.

Thanks....I have always wanted a rat bike with killer patina/graphics. The only problem is the frame color. I mean the gray works, but I wish it were white/black. I don't want to paint it as it will mess up the natural patina look. I have a military bike I am working on and I have a Higgins Christmas tank bike from the '56 Penneys Christmas catalog next in line, so I'll just be patient on this and keep collecting parts. Maybe I'll find a black/white Murray frame between now and then. If not, then I think gray it is.