Lightweight Gambles Hiawatha skiptooth bike....is this such a thing or someone's Frankenstein?

[jgsb1966]

Picked up this interesting bike today. It seems to be a Gambles Hiawatha badged lightweight. New departure black hub with coaster brake, skiptooth chain and sprockets, dogbone cranks, stem with the bolt on the top side. No idea what is original and what is not, what year or who made it, but I figured it could be a fun rider.

 

[Robert Troub]

I would say it's a custom build....never seen a skiptooth on a lightweight bike.....

 

[rustjunkie]

I would say it's a custom build....never seen a skiptooth on a lightweight bike.....

they’re out there

 

[Andrew Gorman]

I have a skip tooth diamond frame Hawthorne(?) back in redneckistan. Big bullet spring seat, old size 26" painted rims. It's been a while since I've looked at it. The grren bike definitel has a new seat, rims and handlebars.

 

[NBHAA]

This Hiawatha is not a "custom build." It is what remains of a WW2 "Victory Bicycle." Made to War Board edicts.

Rear hub appears to be original. However, rear rim, handlebars, front wheel, saddle are modern replacements.

Leon Dixon
National Bicycle History Archive of America
(NBHAA.com)

 

[49autocycledeluxe]

I would say it's a custom build....never seen a skiptooth on a lightweight bike.....

I have.

 

[Archie Sturmer]

Original poster’s bike looks like it might have been built by Shelby.

 

[SKPC]

Yes, could be Shelby war bike...if so, a serial number on the bottom of the BB shell should be stamped..could you please provide this? Below is an "E45xxx" frame with a Meiselbach fork that may also be a wartime frame.

And then this Shelby Flyer below also sporting a Meiselbach fork..

#F91xxx

 

[cyclingday]

I agree, it’s what’s left of a wartime Shelby built Victory Bike.
Here’s a few pics I shot of a really nice Shelby Sports Tourist model at the last Cyclone Coaster, swap meet.

Check out that Safe-T-Byke, No Rider Rack, and that heavy duty fork lock, reminiscent of a Harley Davidson Sportster.
The Delta Silver Ray, fenderlight pylon was a mind blower.
I had never seen that trick little feature before.
Definitely one of the coolest/most unusual sports tourists that I have seen.
Love this bike!

 

[jgsb1966]

Thank you so much everyone!!! Love all the replies and the history behind the "Victory Bikes" which I was totally unaware of. The serial number stamped on the bottom bracket is C07896.