What is this little muscley bike?

[Mesquite Hugger]

This thing is for sale locally for $60. What is it?

 

[RustyGold]

I can't figure out what it is...but I'd snag it in a heartbeat. Is it on 16" wheels?

Chainring is Wald. I know I've seen that chainguard graphic before...I thought it was Wildcat...but the bike doesn't look like any Wildcat I can find. The frame has a definite Murray look, but I think it may be Snyder/Rollfast.

Stumped.

 

[Mesquite Hugger]

I've messaged the seller and am hoping to hear back.

I don't usually pay much attention to little bikes, but this one was odd enough to catch my eye.

 

[RustySprockets]

That front fork isn't looking too healthy...yikes!

 

[Wildcat]

Dropouts look like Evans. My first bike was a 24" Evans and had the same chainwheel. Evans was only in business until 62, maybe the bike was converted to a banana seat bike after that.

 

[Mesquite Hugger]

After a whole lot of image surfing that took me to Wikipedia, then Reddit, then RRB (in 2010) I learned that the little bike is an MTD Duke. They made a 3-speed version - the King, and a step-thru - the Duchess.

MTD - Modern Tool & Die is an American company that has made lots of cool stuff over the year including Columbia Bikes, Cub Cadet mowers, and some really sweet MTD minibikes.

I am going over to look at the MTD bike and to buy a 24" Hawthorne middleweight tomorrow. I'm not really interested in the MTD. If you are, please let me know and I will snag it.

Here is another pic of the bike.

 

[RustySprockets]

I commend your sleuthing!

 

[Mesquite Hugger]

I commend your sleuthing!

Thanks! Once in a while being obsessive pays off.

 

[RustyGold]

Great research...I'd be interested but the shipping kills it. Hopefully a fellow Texan will snag it!

 

[Bike from the Dead]

I saw that bike on Marketplace a while back. I was wondering if it was a 20" Murray bike, or something else. Glad I know what it is now!