JC Penny Foremost (1969 I think)
03-04-22, 01:08 PM
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JC Penny Foremost (1969 I think)
My neighbor asked me to take a look at his Grandfather's bike. It's been sitting around in various garages during his life and after his passing. Wheels were off, front fender off, tubes were flat and bike was caked in dust and grime. Front fender is missing the rear stay, I might have to fab something to look more like the rear. Rear fender was badly twisted preventing the rear wheel from spinning. Some parts are pretty badly rusted. After tweaking the rear fender, got the wheels on. Gave it a good bath and then lubed up the chain, cables and shifter. Surprisingly, it seem to ride well. Tires are old and cracked so I just tooled around in the driveway. I asked my neighbor if he wanted me to strip it down and clean/grease all the bearings, remove as must rust as I can and even replace the cables, brakes and tires so he could actually ride it. Riding it isn't really part of his plan, it's just his Grandpa's bike and he feels an attachment to it. He doesn't want to spend too much money or me spend too much time on it. Anyway, there may be more to this story later, but for now I just need to mount the front fender.
The Sturmey Archer hub has 69 on it so I assume that the year the hub was made. It also has a small pulley on the top tube that connects the twist shifter to the hub. Seems an oddball setup. Other pics I've seen of similar Foremosts show a different setup using a outer housing that terminates on the chain stay like most 3 speeders.
The Sturmey Archer hub has 69 on it so I assume that the year the hub was made. It also has a small pulley on the top tube that connects the twist shifter to the hub. Seems an oddball setup. Other pics I've seen of similar Foremosts show a different setup using a outer housing that terminates on the chain stay like most 3 speeders.
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03-04-22, 01:31 PM
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the Penney's Foremost machines were done by a variety of vendors
there were even Italian ones done by Chiorda ca. 1970
serial placement and format will be a helpful clue as to actual maker
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the Penney's Foremost machines were done by a variety of vendors
there were even Italian ones done by Chiorda ca. 1970
serial placement and format will be a helpful clue as to actual maker
-----
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03-04-22, 03:21 PM
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03-04-22, 04:37 PM
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03-04-22, 04:37 PM
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03-04-22, 05:20 PM
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hmmmmmmm...
looks to be a Murray product
they did quite a few models for the J.C. Penney Co.
here is an image of the original store in Kemmerer WY -
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hmmmmmmm...
looks to be a Murray product
they did quite a few models for the J.C. Penney Co.
here is an image of the original store in Kemmerer WY -
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03-04-22, 08:08 PM
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juvela, are you sure about Murray, as the chainwheel looks more like a Columbia product.
That Foremost 3 speed will clean up nicely. It will be a nice riding durable, cool old ride.
If you don't believe that thing's paint will clean up like a new bike, just go over to the c.a.b.e. forum and look at threads depicting HARPO's work.
That guy named HARPO over there is the best there is. He kindly shares all of his expert knowledge on how to turn something you'd swear would only look good on the curb on trash pickup day into something that looks almost like it stepped out of a time-warp when it was new. Harpo does this with the original paint......rubbing compound, polishing compound, multiple coats of carnuba car wax, etc.....
Like I said, HARPO is the best in the world. Go see his many transformations, that are detailed in pictures in various threads on the c.a.b.e. .
Harpo is an equal opportunity transformer, his amazing work is seen on high end bicycles as well as just as many low end common old bikes too.
One thing that is constant is that all of them turn out spectacular. My guess is that he probably sees a particular color bicycle that deserves to get transformed back to how it looked when it was new. HARPO on c.a.b.e. is the one to read & see, and to ask about how to and what you need to do it yourself in the same way that he does it. Nobody does it better. You can make that FOREMOST into a great looking & great riding enjoyable bicycle. It will be a fun weekend project that you'll certainly enjoy doing. It is a beautiful classy color, and the decal graphics appear to be in good shape. The wheels chrome will shine again. The bike is simple and isn't particularly complicated. GLENN'S COMPLETE BICYCLE MANUAL 338 pages written by Harold T Glenn & Clarence Coles (c)1973 sold probably over 1 million copies.
You can find an ex-library book copy of this book from several of the mega used booksellers on ebay for about $6 total with free shipping. These mega booksellers on ebay have over a hundred thousand ebay transactions, and they can ship books for less cost than ordinary people. You'll see a cover photo of a kid's legs riding a Schwinn Varsity 10 speed with 1 piece ashtabula crank, the kid is wearing low cut Converse All-Star tenny shoes and white athletic socks with three dark stripes.....This is the copy of the GLENN's COMPLETE BICYCLE MANUAL that YOU WILL WANT......probably 1 million+ copies sold between 1973 and 1976. Go on the bay and I guarantee that you'll find within ten days, an ex-library book copy for about $6 from one of those mega used book sellers. That and youtube and other info on the c.a.b.e. and here and elsewhere on the web is all that you'll need.
Clean it up, replace the brake pads and tires/tubes and cables, and you'll have a nice cruiser that you'll enjoy riding. It was more than 50 years ago today, Grandpa Walton got the bike you say, and saudadeii got it rolling again today...................Sturmey Archer 3 speed fan.
Once cleaned up, it will certainly be a cool old vintage 3 speed cruiser, and you'll have a great story to tell when people ask you about it.
The bicycle doesn't have to be from high class, respectable origins to be a really decent, cool bicycle!
Have fun and enjoy getting it back on the road and riding the heck out of it.
..........................ahh two do bain, bee see kletta eh munto bain parra voy seh
That Foremost 3 speed will clean up nicely. It will be a nice riding durable, cool old ride.
If you don't believe that thing's paint will clean up like a new bike, just go over to the c.a.b.e. forum and look at threads depicting HARPO's work.
That guy named HARPO over there is the best there is. He kindly shares all of his expert knowledge on how to turn something you'd swear would only look good on the curb on trash pickup day into something that looks almost like it stepped out of a time-warp when it was new. Harpo does this with the original paint......rubbing compound, polishing compound, multiple coats of carnuba car wax, etc.....
Like I said, HARPO is the best in the world. Go see his many transformations, that are detailed in pictures in various threads on the c.a.b.e. .
Harpo is an equal opportunity transformer, his amazing work is seen on high end bicycles as well as just as many low end common old bikes too.
One thing that is constant is that all of them turn out spectacular. My guess is that he probably sees a particular color bicycle that deserves to get transformed back to how it looked when it was new. HARPO on c.a.b.e. is the one to read & see, and to ask about how to and what you need to do it yourself in the same way that he does it. Nobody does it better. You can make that FOREMOST into a great looking & great riding enjoyable bicycle. It will be a fun weekend project that you'll certainly enjoy doing. It is a beautiful classy color, and the decal graphics appear to be in good shape. The wheels chrome will shine again. The bike is simple and isn't particularly complicated. GLENN'S COMPLETE BICYCLE MANUAL 338 pages written by Harold T Glenn & Clarence Coles (c)1973 sold probably over 1 million copies.
You can find an ex-library book copy of this book from several of the mega used booksellers on ebay for about $6 total with free shipping. These mega booksellers on ebay have over a hundred thousand ebay transactions, and they can ship books for less cost than ordinary people. You'll see a cover photo of a kid's legs riding a Schwinn Varsity 10 speed with 1 piece ashtabula crank, the kid is wearing low cut Converse All-Star tenny shoes and white athletic socks with three dark stripes.....This is the copy of the GLENN's COMPLETE BICYCLE MANUAL that YOU WILL WANT......probably 1 million+ copies sold between 1973 and 1976. Go on the bay and I guarantee that you'll find within ten days, an ex-library book copy for about $6 from one of those mega used book sellers. That and youtube and other info on the c.a.b.e. and here and elsewhere on the web is all that you'll need.
Clean it up, replace the brake pads and tires/tubes and cables, and you'll have a nice cruiser that you'll enjoy riding. It was more than 50 years ago today, Grandpa Walton got the bike you say, and saudadeii got it rolling again today...................Sturmey Archer 3 speed fan.
Once cleaned up, it will certainly be a cool old vintage 3 speed cruiser, and you'll have a great story to tell when people ask you about it.
The bicycle doesn't have to be from high class, respectable origins to be a really decent, cool bicycle!
Have fun and enjoy getting it back on the road and riding the heck out of it.
..........................ahh two do bain, bee see kletta eh munto bain parra voy seh
Last edited by Vintage Schwinn; 03-04-22 at 08:19 PM.
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03-05-22, 10:18 AM
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If it were me, I’d flip the seat post clamp around the right way and level the seat. Or replace the seat, if I were actually going to ride it. 😀
Otto
Otto
03-05-22, 01:13 PM
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checked first the company catalogue for Christmas 1969 but it gives only juvenile models shown here -
so moved on to check the Christmas book for 1970 and did indeed find an adult threespeed model -
the text description for the adult threespeed models is on this page under "6 & & 7" -
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checked first the company catalogue for Christmas 1969 but it gives only juvenile models shown here -
so moved on to check the Christmas book for 1970 and did indeed find an adult threespeed model -
the text description for the adult threespeed models is on this page under "6 & & 7" -
-----
Last edited by juvela; 03-05-22 at 01:21 PM. Reason: addition
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03-05-22, 02:19 PM
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Nice! I had a Stingray with a stik-shift when I was a juvi.
03-05-22, 06:33 PM
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juvela, are you sure about Murray, as the chainwheel looks more like a Columbia product.
That Foremost 3 speed will clean up nicely. It will be a nice riding durable, cool old ride.
If you don't believe that thing's paint will clean up like a new bike, just go over to the c.a.b.e. forum and look at threads depicting HARPO's work.
That guy named HARPO over there is the best there is. He kindly shares all of his expert knowledge on how to turn something you'd swear would only look good on the curb on trash pickup day into something that looks almost like it stepped out of a time-warp when it was new. Harpo does this with the original paint......rubbing compound, polishing compound, multiple coats of carnuba car wax, etc.....
Like I said, HARPO is the best in the world. Go see his many transformations, that are detailed in pictures in various threads on the c.a.b.e. .
Harpo is an equal opportunity transformer, his amazing work is seen on high end bicycles as well as just as many low end common old bikes too.
One thing that is constant is that all of them turn out spectacular. My guess is that he probably sees a particular color bicycle that deserves to get transformed back to how it looked when it was new. HARPO on c.a.b.e. is the one to read & see, and to ask about how to and what you need to do it yourself in the same way that he does it. Nobody does it better. You can make that FOREMOST into a great looking & great riding enjoyable bicycle. It will be a fun weekend project that you'll certainly enjoy doing. It is a beautiful classy color, and the decal graphics appear to be in good shape. The wheels chrome will shine again. The bike is simple and isn't particularly complicated. GLENN'S COMPLETE BICYCLE MANUAL 338 pages written by Harold T Glenn & Clarence Coles (c)1973 sold probably over 1 million copies.
You can find an ex-library book copy of this book from several of the mega used booksellers on ebay for about $6 total with free shipping. These mega booksellers on ebay have over a hundred thousand ebay transactions, and they can ship books for less cost than ordinary people. You'll see a cover photo of a kid's legs riding a Schwinn Varsity 10 speed with 1 piece ashtabula crank, the kid is wearing low cut Converse All-Star tenny shoes and white athletic socks with three dark stripes.....This is the copy of the GLENN's COMPLETE BICYCLE MANUAL that YOU WILL WANT......probably 1 million+ copies sold between 1973 and 1976. Go on the bay and I guarantee that you'll find within ten days, an ex-library book copy for about $6 from one of those mega used book sellers. That and youtube and other info on the c.a.b.e. and here and elsewhere on the web is all that you'll need.
Clean it up, replace the brake pads and tires/tubes and cables, and you'll have a nice cruiser that you'll enjoy riding. It was more than 50 years ago today, Grandpa Walton got the bike you say, and saudadeii got it rolling again today...................Sturmey Archer 3 speed fan.
Once cleaned up, it will certainly be a cool old vintage 3 speed cruiser, and you'll have a great story to tell when people ask you about it.
The bicycle doesn't have to be from high class, respectable origins to be a really decent, cool bicycle!
Have fun and enjoy getting it back on the road and riding the heck out of it.
..........................ahh two do bain, bee see kletta eh munto bain parra voy seh
That Foremost 3 speed will clean up nicely. It will be a nice riding durable, cool old ride.
If you don't believe that thing's paint will clean up like a new bike, just go over to the c.a.b.e. forum and look at threads depicting HARPO's work.
That guy named HARPO over there is the best there is. He kindly shares all of his expert knowledge on how to turn something you'd swear would only look good on the curb on trash pickup day into something that looks almost like it stepped out of a time-warp when it was new. Harpo does this with the original paint......rubbing compound, polishing compound, multiple coats of carnuba car wax, etc.....
Like I said, HARPO is the best in the world. Go see his many transformations, that are detailed in pictures in various threads on the c.a.b.e. .
Harpo is an equal opportunity transformer, his amazing work is seen on high end bicycles as well as just as many low end common old bikes too.
One thing that is constant is that all of them turn out spectacular. My guess is that he probably sees a particular color bicycle that deserves to get transformed back to how it looked when it was new. HARPO on c.a.b.e. is the one to read & see, and to ask about how to and what you need to do it yourself in the same way that he does it. Nobody does it better. You can make that FOREMOST into a great looking & great riding enjoyable bicycle. It will be a fun weekend project that you'll certainly enjoy doing. It is a beautiful classy color, and the decal graphics appear to be in good shape. The wheels chrome will shine again. The bike is simple and isn't particularly complicated. GLENN'S COMPLETE BICYCLE MANUAL 338 pages written by Harold T Glenn & Clarence Coles (c)1973 sold probably over 1 million copies.
You can find an ex-library book copy of this book from several of the mega used booksellers on ebay for about $6 total with free shipping. These mega booksellers on ebay have over a hundred thousand ebay transactions, and they can ship books for less cost than ordinary people. You'll see a cover photo of a kid's legs riding a Schwinn Varsity 10 speed with 1 piece ashtabula crank, the kid is wearing low cut Converse All-Star tenny shoes and white athletic socks with three dark stripes.....This is the copy of the GLENN's COMPLETE BICYCLE MANUAL that YOU WILL WANT......probably 1 million+ copies sold between 1973 and 1976. Go on the bay and I guarantee that you'll find within ten days, an ex-library book copy for about $6 from one of those mega used book sellers. That and youtube and other info on the c.a.b.e. and here and elsewhere on the web is all that you'll need.
Clean it up, replace the brake pads and tires/tubes and cables, and you'll have a nice cruiser that you'll enjoy riding. It was more than 50 years ago today, Grandpa Walton got the bike you say, and saudadeii got it rolling again today...................Sturmey Archer 3 speed fan.
Once cleaned up, it will certainly be a cool old vintage 3 speed cruiser, and you'll have a great story to tell when people ask you about it.
The bicycle doesn't have to be from high class, respectable origins to be a really decent, cool bicycle!
Have fun and enjoy getting it back on the road and riding the heck out of it.
..........................ahh two do bain, bee see kletta eh munto bain parra voy seh
juvela told me about this, and here's an example. Just the petrified
tires were changed out. All else is original.
BTW...I'm on here also...but I use the name oldbikenewbike on Bike Forums.
03-06-22, 06:27 AM
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I was on a ride one hot Summer day when I ran across one of these at a yard sale in Sublimity Oregon. There was a hand lettered list of items for sale out front. All I saw was "Claude Butler Touring Bike". He took me to the garage to see something like described above. Still had fenders with wheels intact, but "tubes were flat and bike was caked in dust and grime" plus lots of rust. Asked him why he thought it was a CB tourer? Seems he saw a picture of one same color, that had a similar bar.(North Road?) He asked $600 OBO. Told him the Foremost badge indicated it was a JC Penney product, $20 is more realistic, and that would be for the rear hub. Think I was more disappointed than he was. Don
Last edited by ollo_ollo; 03-06-22 at 06:28 AM. Reason: spelling
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03-06-22, 01:55 PM
#13
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checked first the company catalogue for Christmas 1969 but it gives only juvenile models shown here -
so moved on to check the Christmas book for 1970 and did indeed find an adult threespeed model -
the text description for the adult threespeed models is on this page under "6 & & 7" -
-----
checked first the company catalogue for Christmas 1969 but it gives only juvenile models shown here -
so moved on to check the Christmas book for 1970 and did indeed find an adult threespeed model -
the text description for the adult threespeed models is on this page under "6 & & 7" -
-----
WOW
Now those would have been some "Boss" Christmas presents back in 1969!
I`m sure not many survived.
'
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