Classic & Vintage - Murray Track Bike Serotta?

I bought this frame off ebay a few months ago as my winter project, it was listed as a Murray / Serotta, but it does not have any markings, other than the fork crown and the number on the dropout. I think the paint and decals are original, they are very beat up, but look ok in pictures (1/2 bottle Testors Gloss Red!) It does have very aggressive geometry, the tires are 19c and there's not much room for more. The components are not original, but came from a similar period track bike.

I think some other forum members have similar bikes, I was hoping someone could tell me a little more about it. Thanks!

Pics:
293659293660293661293662293663

http://velospace.org/node/44780
Looks a whole heck of a lot like the one above. Aside from that, I can't offer much other than it's pretty cool.

I saw that pic, that was taken by the guy I bought it from. I removed the care bear stickers. I did see a pic of another one somewhere, I think it was #39. Thanks for looking out!

It's a very cool bike, even if it's not an authentic Serotta/Murray. I'd love to try a real live track racing bike one day.

My understanding is that those were built as part of Murry sponsporship of the '84 games. The Murry bikes served as neutral support spare bikes that the games had onhand, presumably could have been used by any athlete if they had mechanical problems with thier own bike. Note that the '84 USA olympic team had track bikes made that were labeled either as as huffy or raleigh, the USA team did not ride the Murrys.

If it's not a genuine Murray Serotta, somebody went to a lot of trouble to fake it. Engraving the fork crown and then re-chroming it? It's cool and rare, but probably not valuable enough to pay for the rechroming job.

I'd love to have one of those, if I lived closer to a velodrome.

If Murray was the Sponsor would Serotta have been allowed to put any embellisments on the frame?

I do agree if I was going to try and fake a track frame I would go for Pinarello or Basso and call it a day, why try and do something as esoteric as this?

http://www.bikeforums.net/attachment.php?attachmentid=293659&d=1358263997

Nice bike, I have 2 track bikes and they are really fun to ride. Noglider if you ever get a chance you should really do it.

I bought this frame off ebay a few months ago as my winter project, it was listed as a Murray / Serotta, but it does not have any markings, other than the fork crown and the number on the dropout. I think the paint and decals are original, they are very beat up, but look ok in pictures (1/2 bottle Testors Gloss Red!) It does have very aggressive geometry, the tires are 19c and there's not much room for more. The components are not original, but came from a similar period track bike.

I think some other forum members have similar bikes, I was hoping someone could tell me a little more about it. Thanks!

Pics:
293659293660293661293662293663

I can't tell you a lot about it other than I remember seeing similar bikes at the Velodrome in Colorado Springs in the early 80's. I would suggest if you decide to ride it on the street I would put a singlespeed freewheel on it and buy one of these http://www.benscycle.net/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=8676 I have these on both my track bikes, no drilling and they work great. And be well aware of toe overlap.

If it is a spare made for the olympics that is pretty cool. I wonder who made it? Does it have an ovalized down and seat tube? It looks like it does. My 1981 marinoni has very similar geometry and uses the same columbus SP ovalized tubing. I would love to see more close ups of the lugs. I read somewhere that Marinoni made some of the raleigh's for the USA team. Super rare. Maybe it was even just one rider.

Hi all, thank you for your great comments! I did do a little research before I bought it, and I saw where someone had posted a history saying theses bikes were made as neutral support bikes, as was suggested. I kinda bought it thinking "it must be real, why would some one fake that?". The tubing is columbus, (the fork anyway, has dove stamped on steerer), but is not ovalized. It's nicely built, very racy, and fairly light, I am pretty happy with it, whatever it is. I live about 1.5 hours from Trexlertown velodrome, and plan to take it there this summer. I will get some pics of the lugs up soon. thanks again!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/21306332@N07/4264876431/

Not sure, but bikes in pics above look like Spectrums, def. not what I have

Slightly later (1989) Serotta Track, for comparison:

http://i872.photobucket.com/albums/ab285/1967PeugeotPX10/Serotta%20Track%20bike/track2001.jpg

Aside from the obvious decaling, there are no "Serotta" markings on the bike. My earlier (1983) Serotta road bike has "Serotta" engraved across the rear brake bridge; later roadies have an "S" there. My trackie has a rather plain "brake" bridge (what do you call it when there's no hole drilled in the bridge for a brake. A "stay" bridge? I digress). Discounting your "murray" engraving on the fork crown, they look pretty close in that area and others:

http://i872.photobucket.com/albums/ab285/1967PeugeotPX10/Serotta%20Track%20bike/track2003.jpg

Note the rear seat stay cluster treatment. I'm unsure how early Serotta used this style in track bikes. Looks similar to yours, but can't quite make yours out:

http://i872.photobucket.com/albums/ab285/1967PeugeotPX10/Serotta%20Track%20bike/track2006.jpg

You might ask at the paceline forum (http://forums.thepaceline.net/). It used to be the Serotta forum, lotsa knowledge over there.

Very cool bike you have. Should be fun to ride, enjoy it!

Wow! That is awesome! What is that 64cm? I also like the color a lot, I had an old Salsa Mtn bike almost exactly like that.
Here's some pics of the lugs:
294005294006294007
Sorry for the crappy quality, I really should stop spending on bikes and get a new camera, but I digress...
Here's the (brake) bridge, I don't know why I didn't post it before; it is unusual and might help id:
294008294009
There is no engraving on the top or underneath.

I replaced the old tires with new, but have not glued them on yet. I did ride it around the basement, best lap 11 sec., fwiw :p

I will check paceline forum, thanks

That "brake" bridge looks like the brake bridge of my 83 Serotta, inverted and perhaps filed. The seatstay cluster looks close, too.

http://i872.photobucket.com/albums/ab285/1967PeugeotPX10/serotta/serotta4.jpg

http://i872.photobucket.com/albums/ab285/1967PeugeotPX10/serotta/serotta1.jpg

You need a new camera, but my bike is dirty. I win (or was that lose?) :lol:

I see nothing to suggest your bike is not a Serotta

(Both mine are 62. The track bike appears a bit larger, I think because of steep angles, maybe)

I would suggest if you decide to ride it on the street I would put a singlespeed freewheel on it and buy one of these http://www.benscycle.net/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=8676 I have these on both my track bikes, no drilling and they work great. And be well aware of toe overlap.

Can you post a few pics of this mounhted? I don't have a track bike but I would like to see one mounted and ready to go.

Here is what it looks like. It's not pretty but it beats drilling the fork. Plus it works exceptionally well.

http://i1157.photobucket.com/albums/p596/cbresciani/Pinarello/photo1.jpg

i'll take some close ups when I get home.

no closeup Mr Demille?