The Teamsters charged unfair labor practices and proceeded to lead a 46-day strike that halted production. There was a failed effort by the Teamsters to win a NLRB election in March 1965. Originally a non-union plant, the Lawrenceburg facility began operations in 1956, and over the next few decades, the complex grew to become one of the largest facilities of its type in the United States: 42.7 acres (173,000 m 2) under roof. Like its competitor, American Machine and Foundry (AMF), Murray left Cleveland in the 1950s and moved its factory and assembly plant to the American South, choosing a factory site in Lawrenceburg, Tennessee, with corporate headquarters located in Brentwood, Tennessee. By modifying chain guards, luggage carriers, lighting, handlebars, and truss rods, Schrekengost gave each bicycle a distinctive look while retaining the same welded tube frame design.
Schrekengost styled more than 100 mostly youth bicycles for Sears, Western Auto, Firestone Tire, and other retailers, including the Spaceliner, Western Flyer, and Firestone. These low-cost parts and materials undercut the prices of Murray's competition, selling millions of bicycles (often with retailer names) to department stores, hardware stores, and general retailers. Most Murray bicycles were for the youth market, often featuring one-piece steel Ashtabula cranksets and internally brazed frames using inexpensive seamed or straight-gauge steel tubing. This occasionally brought Murray into legal conflict with competitors, as when Schwinn filed against Murray for duplicating a Schwinn knurling and machining process on its rims. manufacturers, including Schwinn and AMF. Since the 1930s, Murray had been producing bicycles that, while stylistically different, imitated designs by other U.S. It was produced only in limited numbers until 1942, when the war stopped consumer bicycle production.Īfter the war, Murray became known as a manufacturer of low-cost bicycles, and placed its own brand on some products. However, the Mercury was an expensive bicycle, and sales were few. Styled by the industrial artist and designer, Viktor Schreckengost, the streamlined machine, with an elaborate diecast metal headpiece, was finished in black, chrome, and polished aluminum, the deluxe version of the Mercury Pacemaker line.
#What year is my murray bike series
In 1939, Murray introduced its Pacemaker Series Mercury bicycle at the 1939 New York World's Fair. From 1939 through 1942, Murray made the body parts for the Crosley automobile. Until 1939, Murray manufactured all of its products for branding and sale by other manufacturers, especially Sears, Roebuck & Co. Other products included pedal cars and electric fans. In the mid-1930s, the company began production of bicycles, mostly for the youth market. The company was founded in Cleveland, Ohio, and the Cleveland factory was unionized by the United Auto Workers (UAW) and AFL–CIO. If remounting a different engine doesn't intimidate you, (and what go-kart owner doesn't love a little DIY elbow grease challenge?) then please visit the links to see the go-kart engines that we have available.Murray Ohio Manufacturing Company was founded in 1919 to make fenders, fuel tanks, and other automobile parts. Although the Tecumseh company is also no longer in operation, we can help with compatible gasoline engine alternatives. A note on engines.Īll of Murray's go-kart models used now-discontinued Tecumseh 6.0 Hp or 6.5 Hp engines.
We offer replacement parts and accessories that may be retrofit on a number of discontinued Murray go-kart models. This is where Monster Scooter Parts can help. As there are no longer any "genuine" Murray parts to be had, the Murray kart owner may use a number of compatible substitute items to keep their Murray go-kart running. That company has stated that "it will not manufacture, sell, or distribute, nor will it provide any service parts, warranty coverage, or technical support for these products." In addition, Briggs & Stratton has reportedly destroyed all of the remaining inventory of original Murray go-kart parts. Unfortunately Murray filed Chapter 11 bankruptcy and their remaining assets were bought by Briggs & Stratton. The Murray go-kart brand went belly-up years ago, but in their time Murray go-karts were very popular machines.