STOLEN BIKE: MURRAY Titanium Ultralight Vintage in No. Hollywood, CA 02/03/09
 

My Metallic Light Blue Murray Ultralight 27 x 1 1/4 was stolen from the No. Hollywood, California, Metro subway station between 9:30 AM and 5 PM today. This is a twenty-four year old titanium frame ten speed road bike with drop handlebars and white Stella Azzura sponge tape grips. Lever shifters are mounted on handlebar riser. Suntour Pro derailer and freewheel. Chrome steel wheels. New kevlar tires with slime tubes and caps. Mag alloy cranks. 56 tooth main gear, 14 tooth high gear on freewheel.

A name comprised of initials and a Cal D.L. no are stamped on top of the magnesium bar riser and on the bottom of the bottom bracket.

The Murray decals are gone from the frame and there is minor rust, but it's a great ride.

At time of theft, distinguishing characteristics included:

small black BBB bell on right handlebar

Cateye Cadence computer base on right handlebar

headlight base on left handlebar

two chrome BBB water bottle cages

rear flasher base on seat stem

seat is a leather Terry Liberator Y Gel

left handlebar has no Stella Grip plug, but a
threaded rubber rear view mirror plug instead
of Chrome Cap matching right side.

When/if I am able to locate Serial Number I will post it. Am also looking for a recent photo. The bicycle has been reported stolen to the Los Angeles County Sheriffs Department.

Please contact me if you are offered this bike as a trade-in, and pass message to area bike shops if you would please. Please email me through www.bikeforums.net or directly at jgstandby@yahoo.com.

Thanks for your help.

Sorry to hear about your Murray being lifted. I go through the North Hollywood Red Line station daily on my bike commute to downtown and will keep an eye open for your ride.
Good luck,
El Gigante

You're probably doing this anyway, but keep checking Craigslist, both locally and surrounding areas.

Bike Info Update:

Mag alloy cranks are Sugino.

Hubs are Sansin/Sunshine.

Freewheel is SunTour Perfect XF.

Derailer is SunToup Superbe Pro.

Thanks all.

Murray made Titanium frames?!?

Apparently.

According to Sheldon Brown's article on the heyday of Japanese bicycle manufacturing in the late 70's through mid 80's, that segment of the industry was subsidized by the government to maintain employment and promote Japanese bicycle quality worldwide.

Nishiki overproduced and wound up selling the overproduction to U.S. department store retailers and Murray apparently bought some of these bike and applied their name to them. I was lucky enough to buy one of these for myself in 1985.

Visit www.sheldonbrown.com to read the complete article.