TXsailor

My sister bought this Monark for yard art. I think its way too good for that. What do you folks think?

seypat

Way too nice for yard art!

clubman 

In that condition, I'd think too nice for a garden. I wouldn't want it but there's many out there that would. Go to The Cabe website for good info.

MntnMan62

If you put that out as yard out in my neighborhood, it won't make it through one night. Not that my neighborhood is bad. But that's to be expected when you live 30 minutes from downtown Manhattan. If you do use it as yard art, make sure it's locked to something so they can't take it. And hide the chain or cable to get the full "yard art" effect. That'll really tick off anyone who attempts to make off with it. And make sure you have a Ring doorbell so you can get the theft attempt on video and have yourself a laugh.

TXsailor

I think she has decided to keep it inside and look for another for outside. She would love to have some more info on it if anyone can help her out.

noglider 

In a way, it's too nice to put out and let rust. On the other hand, it's handsome but I wouldn't want to ride it.

It's funny how the Swedes were inspired more by American bikes more than Europeans in those days.

Velo Mule

I am not an expert in this area, however, I think this may be an American Monarch rather than the Swedish Monarch. You are also right that Sweden and Swedish manufactures had their eye on American style in the 50's and 60's. Look no further than the Volvo Amazon and P1800. And we American had an eye on their furniture. Interesting.

And it is way too nice for yard art. If someone stole it and rode it, then that would be better than sitting and rusting. I'm glad to hear that she is continuing to look for a yard art bike.

merziac

The Cabe should have the basic stats info, the only real info she needs imo is that she has you to make sure this is good to ride.

That thing is beautiful, a dedicated clean and polish will be fabulous.

ryansu 

That's a farmers market cruiser for a lady of a certain age, the basket will get filled with fresh flowers and the owner will refer to the bike as Princess Margaret (Monarch) much too nice for yard art.

stardognine

Too nice for yard art. 👍 Heck, just that headlight alone is probably worth like 7 million dollars, or something. 🤔😁😉

MntnMan62

It's a Monark Silver King Roadster for girls made by Monark Battery Co., in Chicago, Illinois. The company was in existence between the early 1930's and the 1950's. It's made of aluminum alloy, hence why it's probably lasted so long. Here's a history of the company I was able to find online. It looks like the example your found looks better than the one in the picture from the museum. Who knows? Maybe the museum would love such a pristine example of this piece of history.

https://www.madeinchicagomuseum.com/...k-silver-king/

arty dave

Put a 3 speed hub in it and ride, way too nice to let rust outside

scarlson 

Yeah some collector has to want that thing.

Murray Missile 

That is not yard art material! THIS is yard art material.........

clubman 

I saw that link too but I'd bet dimes to doughnuts that that women's frame isn't one. I think they slipped up with the pic. Silver Kings had large head tube lugs for the aluminum tubes, like the advertising following the pic. The OP can verify whether it's alu.

TXsailor

She said a magnet sticks to it so its steel. She is in Alabama and I am in Texas so I haven't seen it except in the pictures she sent. She is looking for a place to hang it in her house, she loves old strange decor and is starting a remodel soon. I told her she had to ride it at least once before she hangs it up. Thanks for the replies you made her day!

scarlson 

Hah, I guess I was too busy posting Indiana Jones memes to actually look at the bike. I just noticed that the stem is turned around backwards. For extra-funny mounting of that Wald basket...?

TXsailor

It is backwards! Good eye. I wonder how that makes it handle?

scarlson 

I bet there's not much difference. Not like if the fork were flipped around. It's just as if some really swept-back cruiser bars were installed with the stem facing forwards. Bigger tiller effect, like on a recumbent or laid-back chopper. On a cruiser like that, I bet it handles really stably no matter what you do.

zukahn1

I like that it has the original dealers license sticker intact from 1962 which pretty much nails it as a early 60's Huffy US built Monarch. Not a good bike but a very nice piece of American art on a wall or in the yard.

MntnMan62

Yes. I noticed the stem as well. But there's more. The metal thing that can only be described as the "fuel tank" located on the down tube is painted differently and is shorter than the one in the museum photo. The chain guard is also different in that the front of it on this bike is shorter than the one in the museum photo where it extnends further down. But I don't see any difference in size of the head tube between the two photos. That aspect looks the same to me. Who knows? I could not find another picture of the bike from a google search including the date. I guess we'll all have to wonder.

clubman 

Yours is likely a later model than the 50's model in the pic. Looks pretty original from here which is what collectors want. Might be a good flip depending on how much she paid and whether she likes it enough to keep it.

T-Mar

Agreed, it doesn't appear to be aluminum but it is the USA Monark brand. Based on the serial number, in conjunction with the 1962 bicycle license, it may be 1958. That was reportedly the last year of manufacture by the original company. The head badge should state who manufactured it.

TXsailor

I was hoping T-Mar would chime in. I think the license sticker is something required by Cedar Rapids and not a dealer sticker, correct me if I am wrong. If so it could well be a 58. She would really like it to be a 57 model since she is too. She is tickled pink with it and although she won't ride it enough to amount to anything I'm pretty sure it won't be for sale for a long time. She paid a little more than typical yard sale price but I think she did good even if she did resell it someday.