1953 Hawthorne

[rustjunkie]

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.

Well I think so at least: I had a few of the TL units NOS way back, complete with switches. There was a ~2" glass thing inside the battery tray that looked like a big old-time fuse. I don't remember if I ever powered one up and don't have the pictures anymore...now you've got me thinking...Someone here must have one to check?

 

[Dave Stromberger]

Well I think so at least: I had a few of the TL units NOS way back, complete with switches. There was a ~2" glass thing inside the battery tray that looked like a big old-time fuse. I don't remember if I ever powered one up and don't have the pictures anymore...now you've got me thinking...Someone here must have one to check?

I opened it up and looked. No 2" glass thingy inside. All I see is a typical battery tray and a single light bulb. Also a resistor going to the stop-light switch. With just one bulb, that proves that it never had the turn-signal feature, so I'm not missing the switch after all.

 

[rustjunkie]

I opened it up and looked. No 2" glass thingy inside. All I see is a typical battery tray and a single light bulb. Also a resistor going to the stop-light switch. With just one bulb, that proves that it never had the turn-signal feature, so I'm not missing the switch after all.

That's good. I searched the pics I have back to 2000 and couldn't find those of the TL units.
The one with the glass fuse-dealy had a reisistor for the stop light, and the glass tube mounted left to right and was in line with the turn signals IIRC.

 

[bdt91]

Awesome find, Dave. Strange indeed that it had turn-signals and no switch. I have a Hawthorne "All America " like the one in this pic...which has the chrome tanks, fenders, etc...and I think it's a later model than yours- 1953 or 54 maybe(?) Does anyone know for sure what year it would be? -Brad Tierney

 

[rustjunkie]

...- 1953 or 54 maybe(?) Does anyone know for sure what year it would be? -Brad Tierney

Does your TL unit have the glass fuse/switch in it?

 

[JAF/CO]

just buy blinking flash light bulbs ace is the place

 

[bdt91]

Does your TL unit have the glass fuse/switch in it?

I will have to check that out for sure.

 

[Dave Stromberger]

So I dug this bike out again and have been looking at it and researching it a bit more. This model is not shown in any of the catalog pages. It's like a hybrid between an All American and a Hawthorne Deluxe. Painted like the Deluxe, which is a Snyder built model, but built and equipped (other than the headlight) like the CWC Built All American. Is it maybe a CWC Built Deluxe? Anybody have a catalog page or advertisement scan that shows this model?

Serial number is a J05554 with A before the CW logo stamp. According to the research that's been done by Phil Marshal, the frame was built within the last three months of 1951. So I guess it could be a '51 model, or an early '52?

@509clunk do you still have your bike? If so, what's the serial number?

BTW, I still need one of these headlight lenses! I suppose I'd buy a whole light to get it if necessary.

 

[509clunk]

Oh yeah still have it !! And a potential lens

 

[509clunk]

Also have the girly mate that’s equally equipped