Our old friend Harv, the Gallery’s first owner submitted, is back—this time with a very cool, very old(for the OTSG) J.C. Higgins ten speed. According to the Sears Archive the J.C. Higgins brand concluded it reign in 1964 when Ted Williams showed up and spoiled all the fun. That would certainly substantiate Harv’s observation that this is indeed a ’64 or earlier.
In the early 1960’s, Sears Roebuck had a line of bicycles called, “J. C. Higgins”. This tangerine colored example bears a Los Angeles Bicycle License with an expiration date of 1967, making it a 1964 or earlier model. Cottered cranks and rat-trap pedals were state of the art back then. The side-pull caliper brakes gave way to center-pulls by the late 60’s, then it was back to side-pulls a few years later. The tangerine bar tape appears to be original. Probably not, but has the same thickness and texture as the original. I know, I was there when this bike was new.
Thanks again Harv