1962 Murray Strato Flite?

[Uncle Shish]

Picked up this Murray yesterday. I believe it's a 1962, and most likely a Strato Flite? Serial number MOU 70....200146.
It's hard to tell as most of the identifying factors are missing.
I'd like to find the tank and bezel for it ... don't care if it functions.

 

[kingfish254]

WF branded equivalent to a Higgins/Sears Flightliner
EDIT: Actually it looks like it would have had a different tank than the Flightliners had.

 

[kingfish254]

Image from theCABE

 

[kingfish254]

Good reference pics here
https://thecabe.com/forum/threads/western-flyer-strato-flyer-headlight-and-tail-light.160568/

@jd56 may have some knowledge on these.

 

[Uncle Shish]

Good reference pics here
https://thecabe.com/forum/threads/western-flyer-strato-flyer-headlight-and-tail-light.160568/

@jd56 may have some knowledge on these.

View attachment 258735

Thanks much. That looks real close. Mine has a different rack on the front and no holes for a fender ornament. If it were a Western Flyer would it still have a Murray logo on the rear rack? I appreciate you chiming in. If anyone needs more photos I can do that too.

 

[kingfish254]

I missed the Murray logo on the rack. That means it would have been released as an equivalent Murray model and not as a Western Flyer Strato Flyer.

 

[Uncle Shish]

I missed the Murray logo on the rack. That means it would have been released as an equivalent Murray model and not as a Western Flyer Strato Flyer.

Thank you. I sent a PM to your source on The CABE.

 

[kingfish254]

Here is a 1961 Murray ad

 

[kingfish254]

1962 Murray ad

 

[kingfish254]

Start searching around for Murray Strato Flite

 

[Uncle Shish]

Here is a 1961 Murray ad

View attachment 258737

That is cool. I found the 62 ad earlier today as well.

I had read, I think on the CABE where they mentioned the bikes were chrome beneath the paint. Ever heard anything like that? I haven't seen the Murray Strato version in chrome. Perhaps someone removed the paint at some point? Just a thought

 

[kingfish254]

Great resource here.
https://www.proteanpaper.com/scart_results.cgi?comp=howiebik&part=Cat-M 835 1962

 

[kingfish254]

Looks like your chrome version is the Fleetline
Page-3 with an illustration of the most deluxe bike in the 1962 line, The Fleetline model U-70. The specifications are given in detail.

 

[Uncle Shish]

Looks like your chrome version is the Fleetline
Page-3 with an illustration of the most deluxe bike in the 1962 line, The Fleetline model U-70. The specifications are given in detail.

View attachment 258740

Good work, detective

 

[kingfish254]

 

[kingfish254]

RRB link
https://ratrodbikes.com/threads/murray-fleetline-lets-see-em.63343/

 

[kingfish254]

Good work, detective

It was fun tracking this down and actually finding your model. Looks like it may have even been a one year bike.

 

[Uncle Shish]

It was fun tracking this down and actually finding your model. Looks like it may have even been a one year bike.

I sure appreciate the detective work. Being a one year bike will make finding the tank that much harder.
Now I'm wondering if a lower model tank will mount up? I found one on eBay - a little rough but would clean up half way decent.

 

[kingfish254]

I sure appreciate the detective work. Being a one year bike will make finding the tank that much harder.
Now I'm wondering if a lower model tank will mount up? I found one on eBay - a little rough but would clean up half way decent.

It looks like the 62 Strato Flite tank is the same as the Fleetline tank except the red/chrome color scheme is reversed.
Physically, they should be the same tank and should fit on the frame just fine.

 

[kingfish254]

Just make sure that the tank is for a men's bike and not a ladies.