A Proud New Ballooner Owner-- A Pre-War (Maybe?) Hawthorne

[soddruntlestuntle]

Even though the '59 Schwinn Speedster I just bought hasn't even arrived yet, I found myself looking at buying yet another bike today. The Facebook Marketplace ad said 'Vintage Bicycles', and front and center in the pictures was this beauty. And the prices was right. How could I resist? So now I need your help, fellow CABErs, as I know even less about old Hawthornes than I know about old Schwinns.

It's got a New Departure Model D hub, but what appears to be a much newer coaster brake.

Someone did a front wheel swap, 'cuz that's a Schwinn S2

Any eagle eyes make out that serial number? Was much clearer on my phone. Looks to me like 1-8-7-5-75? I tried to take a rubbing of the numbers, but that didn't work, I'll have to try again.

Is it me, or does everything in this picture look cattywampus?

 

[WillWork4Parts]

Yeah, badge definitely looks out of whack. I'd take if off if the screws aren't seized and check for extra holes.

 

[GTs58]

I’ve never seen such a beautifully stamp serial number like that before. Or a chain ring with that many Paisley’s in it! What the heck is that? Wald only had four Paisley’s and I think CW C had five or six. Another cool chain ring. Shelby?

 

[Archie Sturmer]

Nice bike.

Not your ordinary Sport (short) model motorbike built by Snyder; it has a straight truss tube (vs. parallel/rainbow).

The 8 paisleys were found on the 26-tooth sprockets; (6 on the 24 & 22 tooth).

I believe that the design is seen on both Snyder and CWC-built Hawthorne bikes.

 

[Cyclelogical]

I’ve never seen such a beautifully stamp serial number like that before. Or a chain ring with that many Paisley’s in it! What the heck is that? Wald only had four Paisley’s and I think CW C had five or six. Another cool chain ring. Shelby?

My 41 Hawthorne (Snyder) came with that chainring, I think it’s fairly common for the prewar Hawthornes. I think it’s called the comet chainring?? I don’t recall.

 

[soddruntlestuntle]

And now I find that both rims are Schwinn S2s. A little Simple Green and some 0000 steel wool does wonders.

 

[soddruntlestuntle]

I’ve never seen such a beautifully stamp serial number like that before. Or a chain ring with that many Paisley’s in it! What the heck is that? Wald only had four Paisley’s and I think CW C had five or six. Another cool chain ring. Shelby?

After looking at the serial number again, now I see 1-2-945-75. Or maybe 1-2-745-75. Either of those seem right?

 

[GTs58]

After looking at the serial number again, now I see 1-2-945-75. Or maybe 1-2-745-75. Either of those seem right?

Maybe some steel wool and Simple Green on it and then another look at the serial in the morning after 2 cups of coffee?

 

[soddruntlestuntle]

Maybe some steel wool and Simple Green on it and then another look at the serial in the morning after 2 cups of coffee?

Yeah, it's too late in the evening for deciphering enemy code.

 

[fordmike65]

Similar to this bike.

Thread '1937 Rollfast V70' https://thecabe.com/forum/threads/1937-rollfast-v70.225038/