Lyons Air Museum 1936 Hawthorne Zep

[Cory]

My kids and I met some of the Indian Guides over at the Lyons Air museum on the runway at John Wayne airport in Santa Ana CA. What a great place! I live 15 minutes away and did not it was there. It was great. This was the only bicycle in display and boy did I like it. Really neat seeing all the black out pieces. Would love to get everybody's opinion of the bike. What's right or wrong about it, you know the usual. Enjoy and thanks in advance for the education.

 

[Cory]

 

[Cory]

So the black out shifter is a stand out but my favorite item with out a question is that great flag holder mounted to the stem. Is that a black out part? Is this how a bike would had been delivered to the service? The headlight was not chromed but is this a original finish? So many questions.

 

[Cory]

I would love to have a neat vintage flag holder if anyone has one available, thanks!

 

[redline1968]

I think someone got military crazy on the bike.the blackout parts are correct for ww2 it more than possible the bike is older than 1941. Nice looking ride though.

 

[Cory]

When I first saw the bike I thought it would be a wartime bike because of the blackout pieces. Then it has me questioning whether or not they used black out pieces in the 1930s?

 

[cyclingday]

As a group, we all thought it would be a fitting donation and testament to Dirk when he passed away.
I'm glad that you have discovered the Lyon Air Museum. It's a local gem for sure.
They have hosted an event in past years called Bikes and Bombers that should not be missed. June 13th is the next one.
It always brings out the fantastic hardware. William Lyon also has a pretty impressive car collection to go along with his aircraft collection.
Something like 10 or 12 Duesenbergs.
Those cars are on display now. Definitely a sight to see.

 

[Cory]

Thanks for chiming in Marty! That sounds like a great event. Sounds like we need to all go to this next one.

 

[rustjunkie]

Although I don't think it's something that was produced "back in the day" that's a neat looking bike and appears to be well done.
Is that something Dirk created or did someone else build it in his honor?

 

[cyclingday]

Although I don't think it's something that was produced "back in the day" that's a neat looking bike and appears to be well done.
Is that something Dirk created or did someone else build it in his honor?

Yes, Dirk built that as a tribute bike. He loved it and rode it quite a lot.
I'm sure, he would've been pleased and honored to have it displayed under the wing of the B-17 Flying Fortress. I am very impressed with the Lyon Air Museum that they have chosen to keep the bike that Dirk built on permanent display with so many other spectacular treasures of Americas past.