Jc Higgins Color Flow
The Color Flow was one of the more accessorized Jc Higgins models. It features a beehive springer fork and would have had a large frame tank, rear rack, fenders and fender mounted headlight. It was built by Murray. I’ve lightly customized it in a “Period correct” style with a large spring seat, green painted rims and a tractor headlight. The rebuild is covered here. http://ratrodbikes.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=31&t=16463&st=0&sk=t&sd=a&hilit=jc+jalopy
JC Higgins Standard Cruiser
This JC Higgins is foreign made, possibly made in Germany. It is incomplete and unrestored.
JC Higgins Lightweight
JC Higgins was a brand under Sears selling bicycles and other sporting goods, later these bikes were sold under the Sears Free Spirit name. This particular model was made in Austria by Puch in the late 50′s to early 60′s. The retail price at the time was around $39.99. Eventually the Free Spirit line switched over to Murray brand bicycles. I believe they came in a single speed version with coaster brake, A 3 speed version (very similar to Sturmey Archer) and a 10 speed version. This early Puch made 3 speed version featured a lugged steel frame, Cottered crankset with a nice JC Higgins script sprocket and an oiling fitting on the bottom bracket. I’ve upgraded the frame with a NOS Simplex crankset, antique leather saddle, 50′s cruiser handlebars, Vuelta 700c deep V rims, Vittoria white tires and a chrome lugged fork.
Rollfast/ Dp Harris
This ratty looking bike was likely made by Dp Harris for Rollfast. Its exact age is unknown but it likely dates to the late 1930′s or 1940′s. It features a Inch pitch chain and sprockets. It has been “updated” with a 1949 sturmey archer 3 speed hub and muslemann caliper brake.
Oxford Path Racer
This Oxford bicycle was probably sold as a single speed with a coaster brake. It has rear facing “track style” fork ends, which makes it somewhat interesting as the other oxfords I’ve seen have angled dropouts. The stem is hand made and ajustable and the bars are Soma Major Taylor. The wheels are older mavic 700c rims with a flip flop hub.
Favorit 3-Speed Lightweight
This bike is a Favorit made in Czechoslovakia, probably in the mid 50′s to mid 60′s. It was origionally a single speed with a coaster brake, but I installed a Sturmey-Archer 3 speed wheelset. The bike was stripped completely and repainted medium green with light green accents.
Dragula De-luxe
This bike started off as a 24″ womens Jc higgins built by Murray. The frame was cut in the center and the front section flipped. 26″ wheels were fitted, as well as a custom seat, candle headlight and spark plugs to keep with the Munsters/hot rod theme.
Tomos Mini
The tomos mini is a 20″ folding bicycle intended for all ages. Tomos is better known for their mopeds.
Rapido Folding Bike
Manafactured by Favorit and imported by American Jawa.
Updated with deep v rims with skinny tires, sealed hubs with and a fixed-free hub on the back.
Schwinn Burrito/Stretch
The front section is from a Schwinn cantilever frame, the rest is made from various scrap metals.
Silver Fox Motobike
Similar to the Yamaha bikes of the same era. The forks and frame both have suspension. Outfitted with a 3 speed hub and ODI mushroom grips.
Ice Cream Vendor’s Trike
Make is unknown, although it may be a Worksman. It likely dates to the late 1940′s through 1950′s. The cast iron front axle and cooler were made my Acorn mfg Chicago IL. This was originally a vendors trike for Ice cream. I replaced the missing cooler with a wood cargo bed. The bike is unfinished.
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