Stratoflight?
01-16-20, 08:39 PM
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Stratoflight?
Has anyone any information on this bike? I've heard of the Murray Stratoflite but this doesn't seem to be related. Research vaguely mentions a Sears connection so maybe Puch??
01-16-20, 10:51 PM
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Thanks for posting the picture. From the distance it is hard to make out the details. My first guess at this would be that it may be made in Japan, We are going to need some detailed pictures. Is there a headbadge? Does it have a serial number?
It looks like it is from the '70's.
It looks like it is from the '70's.
01-17-20, 08:34 AM
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I see stays that are crimped and spotwelded to stamped rear dropouts. Steel, cottered, crankset. Rear derailleur appears to be a Shimano Eagle with the integral bash guard. Brake safety levers. Stem mounted shift levers. Nutted hubs. Everything points to an entry/hardware store level, boom era product. While that dropout attachment was not unique to them, it turns up most often on Bridgestone manufactured bicycles, so I'm also leaning towards a Japanese origin.
Last edited by T-Mar; 01-17-20 at 08:40 AM.
01-17-20, 08:50 AM
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I see stays that are crimped and spotwelded to stamped rear dropouts. Steel, cottered, crankset. Rear derailleur appears to be a Shimano Eagle with the integral bash guard. Brake safety levers. Stem mounted shift levers. Nutted hubs. Everything points to an entry/hardware store level, boom era product. While that dropout attachment was not unique to them, it turns up most often on Bridgestone manufactured bicycles, so I'm also leaning towards a Japanese origin.
01-17-20, 07:28 PM
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Probably more air time than the bikes worth but sometimes I get bored.🤭
Here are some additional pictures. I researched the stratoflight, and saw one of these. The Stratoflite was a single speed coaster brake, newspaper delivery vehicle.
Here are some additional pictures. I researched the stratoflight, and saw one of these. The Stratoflite was a single speed coaster brake, newspaper delivery vehicle.
01-18-20, 03:14 AM
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Rock bottom early 70s bike. Looks identical (even the color) to a Wards bike someone dumped on me once. Looks like it's in pretty good shape.
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● 1971 Grandis SL ● 1972 Lambert Grand Prix frankenbike ● 1972 Raleigh Super Course fixie ● 1973 Nishiki Semi-Pro ● 1979 Motobecane Grand Jubile ●1980 Apollo "Legnano" ● 1984 Peugeot Vagabond ● 1985 Shogun Prairie Breaker ● 1986 Merckx Super Corsa ● 1987 Schwinn Tempo ● 1988 Schwinn Voyageur ● 1989 Bottechia Team ADR replica ● 1990 Cannondale ST600 ● 1993 Technium RT600 ● 1996 Kona Lava Dome ●
● 1971 Grandis SL ● 1972 Lambert Grand Prix frankenbike ● 1972 Raleigh Super Course fixie ● 1973 Nishiki Semi-Pro ● 1979 Motobecane Grand Jubile ●1980 Apollo "Legnano" ● 1984 Peugeot Vagabond ● 1985 Shogun Prairie Breaker ● 1986 Merckx Super Corsa ● 1987 Schwinn Tempo ● 1988 Schwinn Voyageur ● 1989 Bottechia Team ADR replica ● 1990 Cannondale ST600 ● 1993 Technium RT600 ● 1996 Kona Lava Dome ●
03-06-20, 07:05 PM
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Cigar to those that said Japanese. I did get it for $20. The thing is all original (not sure that's entirely a good thing). It must weight 40lbs.(steel wheels, steel cottered crank)! Once stripped the frame is lugged, not terribly heavy and the paint is amazingly good. Not sure if all those steel parts can be made to shine and I want to put it back together the way it was.
03-07-20, 05:20 AM
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Well done! Another one saved from the landfill. It's an interesting color, and I actually find myself looking forward to seeing it all clean and shiny. 
03-07-20, 07:31 AM
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The front derailleur is the original version of the Thunderbird, so it's pre-1977. I'll echo the previous requests for a photo of the head badge and serial number. TIA.
03-07-20, 07:55 AM
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Pass!!!
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03-08-20, 11:42 PM
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03-09-20, 07:05 AM
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Cannot offer much comment on the bike, but the name sounds like it belongs on a late-1940's bomber prototype.
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03-09-20, 11:19 AM
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There was a Strato-Flyer marketed by Western Auto Parts, made by Cleveland Welding Company.
Completely different animal... it was a slightly restyled version of the Sears Spaceliner.
(Photos courtesy ratrodbikes, the CABE respectively)
Completely different animal... it was a slightly restyled version of the Sears Spaceliner.
(Photos courtesy ratrodbikes, the CABE respectively)
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Last edited by Hudson308; 03-09-20 at 11:23 AM. Reason: added photos
03-09-20, 01:35 PM
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Cool. There was a similar "Stratoflite" made my Murray. It wasn't nearly as nice. This "Stratoflight" should be ready to photo and sell in a few days. I'm giving the touch up paint a chance to cure.
03-11-20, 06:16 PM
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You did a fantastic job on that bike! 
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