1953 Hawthorne

[Dave Stromberger]

Just picked this up yesterday. It has the "turn signal" rack, but there is no turn signal switch on the top tube like I've seen in other models. At first I thought it was missing, but I see no mounting holes or evidence of one having ever been mounted. Anybody know? Also an oddity... this model, according to the Wards catalog should have a different headlight, but this one has matching paint and is most likely original to the bike. Sure'd be nice to find a yellowed original headlight lens!

 

[silvertonguedevil]

NICE bike!! I'd love to have one!

 

[Dave Stromberger]

Anybody have a scan of the 1952 fall/winter catalog they could share? This bike doesn't quite match the '53 spring/summer. '53 s/s shows chrome everywhere there is silver here, plus the sealed beam light. In '52, Wards wasn't even showing whitewall tires stand-alone in the catalog (though you could get them on a bike). I suspect '52 offering were held back due to Korean war material restrictions. Maybe this bike is a late '52, with paint instead of chrome and the earlier style light?

 

[509clunk]

Anybody have a scan of the 1952 fall/winter catalog they could share? This bike doesn't quite match the '53 spring/summer. '53 s/s shows chrome everywhere there is silver here, plus the sealed beam light. In '52, Wards wasn't even showing whitewall tires stand-alone in the catalog (though you could get them on a bike). I suspect '52 offering were held back due to Korean war material restrictions. Maybe this bike is a late '52, with paint instead of chrome and the earlier style light?

Here is mine looks identical to yours , don't have the holes on the top of the frame either for turn switch .. "Seperated at birth "

 

[509clunk]

here is my headlight looks like yours ...

 

[rustjunkie]

Nice find Dave! Does the TL unit have the glass 6v flasher (looks like an old fuse) in it?

 

[vincev]

Very kool find.

 

[Dave Stromberger]

... here is my headlight looks like yours ...

Very interesting! My bike came from Yakima. Was yours a local find also?

I need one of those lenses!

 

[Dave Stromberger]

I'll check and reply later. Are you telling me, the turn-signal function of these bikes actually had the signals flashing? That's bitchen! I always just assumed they'd stay on solid.

 

[509clunk]

Very interesting! My bike came from Yakima. Was yours a local find also?

I need one of those lenses!

Mine came from central Oregon.