One dirty Hawthorne

[Balloonoob]

Spent about 3 hours this morning after a 12 hour graveyard shift assembling. This thing is gonna look sweet. For anyone who doesn't do this all the time all I can say is take tons of pictures during and before disassembly. I had the crank fully installed then realized i forgot a spacer washer between the chain ring and what do you call it. The bb cone? Good thing the bb cups went in and out easily cause the crank wouldn't go in or come out without the non chain ring side cup out. All in all it all fit pretty nicely except for the mile long seatpost which will not drop down far enough. There could be another one broken off in the downtube but I doubt it. I don't really want to cut it. Maybe I can trade it at a local swap. One of the fender screws stripped out. But all things considered for trying to make 2 bikes one im sure it could have been far worse. Gotta switch up the paint on the chain guard. Not chrome though as i had planned. There's obviously a few things I need like an old right side pedal and grips. I'm thinking repop coke bottle grips would be nice. Picked up one more of these tires so I have a matching set. Gotta get a badge for it eventually. Probably a rollfast bb badge. Can't wait to ride this bike. Btw kudos to anyone who has assembled a bike with a really nice new paint job without scratching it. Lol.

 

[Balloonoob]

Oh yeah anyone got any idea what year it is based on the serial number?

 

[Balloonoob]

Fender braces went on today. Badge is in the mail. I checked and nothing is stuck in the downtube. It's just the way this frame is designed. In the downtube there is shiny steel with a half moon shape cut out where the second bar meets it enters the downtube. I'll either find another seatpost or just cut this one. No biggie.

 

[Balloonoob]

Painted up the chain guard today as well. Ivory was the color i had. The red paint i had was too bright and almost looked pink. Looks too flat and plain though.

 

[Balloonoob]

Couldn't sleep knowing i was all set to put this thing together and get it on the road. Can't thank @Mr. Monkeyarms enough for the pointers and help getting this together and especially the ridiculous amount of hours spent on the wheels. I cleaned them up this morning and they ride smooth as butter. Thanks again to @rustjunkie for the great deal on the frame and fork. I noticed right away that my foot wasn't slamming into the front fender on turns and wow it looks great. I've still got some work to go and parts to acquire. The new frame did not make the seat any more comfortable or the handlebars any more upright. Gotta swap out the modern right pedal for an old one but I am just thrilled. These old bikes are as fun to work on as they are to ride.

 

[Mr. Monkeyarms]

Lookin' good! (If you saw anything in my pile of handlebars that was interesting, I'm sure we can work something out)

 

[Balloonoob]

Lookin' good! (If you saw anything in my pile of handlebars that was interesting, I'm sure we can work something out)

Thanks man I did see 2 or 3 that would work. It's a shame cause these bars are original just originally uncomfortable.

 

[Balloonoob]

2 tone paint jobs are a bi$&#. I'll touch this up a bit tomorrow. My hand is not as steady as I thought though. I have blue and ivory for my Colson which I will paint at some point this summer. Maybe frog tape would work better than blue painters tape? I pulled the tape after an hour or so thinking if it dries too much it may stick and it did pull paint with the tape especially when I pulled at the wrong angle. Good from far but far from good.

 

[Balloonoob]

Picked up these bars grips and saddle at the Denver old bikes club swap yesterday and wow - what a difference in the ride. I'm thrilled. Still got some buttoning up to do on this one but man what a comfortable ride.

 

[Balloonoob]

I ground off the paint so I could repaint but I think i like the bare metal look. I can always paint it up later if I change my mind. Might clean it up and straighten it out and errr yeah clear coat to prevent rusting.