Well.. at least it was free (??)
04-04-24, 01:00 PM
#1
dollar-store reject
Thread Starter
Well.. at least it was free (??)
Friend of mine willed me her Mom's bike. She says 1950. Sears something..
I'm torn between clear coating it as it is, service the bearings, adding new chrome, tires, grips..
or
new paint, new chrome, new rear wheel (convert from 3 spd coaster brake to maybe 5 or seven speed with derailleur)
I'd have to figure out brake posts.. it's had the front chainring changed so it would be granny-geared..
But I have to start with who built these for Sears. I'm thinking it's a rebadged Murray Jet Fire, or maybe a Meteor.
Anybody know these old one-off's?
I'm torn between clear coating it as it is, service the bearings, adding new chrome, tires, grips..
or
new paint, new chrome, new rear wheel (convert from 3 spd coaster brake to maybe 5 or seven speed with derailleur)
I'd have to figure out brake posts.. it's had the front chainring changed so it would be granny-geared..
But I have to start with who built these for Sears. I'm thinking it's a rebadged Murray Jet Fire, or maybe a Meteor.
Anybody know these old one-off's?
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04-04-24, 01:08 PM
#2
I don't know.
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Def a Murray. I've had one of those. I like middleweights. With some massaging, you can fit a 2.12 width tire in it.
Have fun with it.
and if you need new coke bottle grips for it, I sell them. Mine are thicker, softer and more comfortable.
Have fun with it.
and if you need new coke bottle grips for it, I sell them. Mine are thicker, softer and more comfortable.
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04-04-24, 01:11 PM
#3
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04-04-24, 01:12 PM
#4
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Alfine 8 speed comes in a coaster brake variant.
If you are looking for hand brakes, any of the Nexus/Alfine IGH's also come in varieties that support roller brakes.
Roller brakes on a bike such as yours will be just fine in fit & function. The casual observer won't know the difference. It'll still look like a 1950's bike to them.
Be aware, roller brakes ship dry. So you'll need to use the proper approved grease for it to function properly.
If you are looking for hand brakes, any of the Nexus/Alfine IGH's also come in varieties that support roller brakes.
Roller brakes on a bike such as yours will be just fine in fit & function. The casual observer won't know the difference. It'll still look like a 1950's bike to them.
Be aware, roller brakes ship dry. So you'll need to use the proper approved grease for it to function properly.
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04-04-24, 01:36 PM
#5
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04-04-24, 01:47 PM
#6
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I'm glad to see this thread. I was self-conscious that my resto project (old Panasonic Tourist) was the worst bike talked about on this forum. I've been debating whether to continue restoring or to deep-6 the whole project; now I'm leaning toward continuing on.
04-04-24, 02:21 PM
#7
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A few years back I took a 1962 Ross (Chain Bike Corp actually) bike from a state similar to this to a freshly painted red 3-speed with coaster brake and gifted it to my wife's piano teacher.
The coaster brake or roller brake are definitely the route to follow.
Even though my pant job wasn't exactly of professional quality, it came out pretty nice, and in the universe of bike projects, nothing before or since has been more satisfying than was sandblasting that old Star Jet.
The coaster brake or roller brake are definitely the route to follow.
Even though my pant job wasn't exactly of professional quality, it came out pretty nice, and in the universe of bike projects, nothing before or since has been more satisfying than was sandblasting that old Star Jet.
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04-04-24, 02:58 PM
#8
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Friend of mine willed me her Mom's bike. She says 1950. Sears something..
I'm torn between clear coating it as it is, service the bearings, adding new chrome, tires, grips..
or
new paint, new chrome, new rear wheel (convert from 3 spd coaster brake to maybe 5 or seven speed with derailleur)
I'd have to figure out brake posts.. it's had the front chainring changed so it would be granny-geared..
But I have to start with who built these for Sears. I'm thinking it's a rebadged Murray Jet Fire, or maybe a Meteor.
Anybody know these old one-off's?
I'm torn between clear coating it as it is, service the bearings, adding new chrome, tires, grips..
or
new paint, new chrome, new rear wheel (convert from 3 spd coaster brake to maybe 5 or seven speed with derailleur)
I'd have to figure out brake posts.. it's had the front chainring changed so it would be granny-geared..
But I have to start with who built these for Sears. I'm thinking it's a rebadged Murray Jet Fire, or maybe a Meteor.
Anybody know these old one-off's?
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04-04-24, 04:22 PM
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Rebranded 1960's Sears branded Murray, similar to a Murray Missile. 
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04-05-24, 07:36 AM
#10
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My 2¢, keep the patina, it's excellent.
Eastwood Patina Preserver, the car guys like it.
Eastwood Patina Preserver, the car guys like it.
04-05-24, 08:05 AM
#11
I don't know.
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also a fan of keeping the patina. I spray matte clear over mine. I've done a gloss clear too.
04-05-24, 08:43 AM
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Cool cruiser!
04-05-24, 09:06 AM
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If it were mine, (I have something in similar condition) I would lightly clean it up, check for terminal rust, service it and call it good.
A good restoration would be $$$$ but if that has more appeal, go for it!
A good restoration would be $$$$ but if that has more appeal, go for it!
04-05-24, 11:39 AM
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I'd keep the patina @JLDickmon and protect it with boiled linseed oil or boiled linseed oil and was mixture.. I'd also keep that Bendix red stripe coaster brake. They are easy to service and one of the better coaster brakes. The one piece crank is easy to service as well. Get all the bearing cleaned and greased then ride it bunch and evaluate it. If you love it, keep an eye out for 26" wheeled mountain bike for the rims, and the front hub. Then relace the wheel wiht hte new mountain bike wheels.
If you find that it is not your cup of tea, sell it as a working bike. The guys at RatRodBikes would love something like this.
My dad had a Sears / Murray 3 speed bike that I endied up riding a lot. I thought that the frame was like a wet noodle, but it turned out it was the wheels with spokes that weren't tensioned enough or had loosened. This makes a big difference in the way the bike rides. This is one of the reasons that I mentioned looking out for aluminum alloy rims from a more modern moutain bike. I have a Schwinn Heavy Duti with allow rims, red band coaster brake and a King Sting fork and love the ride.
I'm looking forward to a ride report.
If you find that it is not your cup of tea, sell it as a working bike. The guys at RatRodBikes would love something like this.
My dad had a Sears / Murray 3 speed bike that I endied up riding a lot. I thought that the frame was like a wet noodle, but it turned out it was the wheels with spokes that weren't tensioned enough or had loosened. This makes a big difference in the way the bike rides. This is one of the reasons that I mentioned looking out for aluminum alloy rims from a more modern moutain bike. I have a Schwinn Heavy Duti with allow rims, red band coaster brake and a King Sting fork and love the ride.
I'm looking forward to a ride report.
