New guy with a Hawthorne Flyer

[Velostigmat]

Hey everyone,
I'm Chris and brand new to the CABE. I recently got the guts of this Hawthorne Flyer and am looking foward to my first vintage bike build/restoration.

The bike's SN is G27234. All I know about the bike is that its a motorbike style and originally had 28" tires. Any more information (especially what the original sprocket and handlebars looked like) is greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

 

[Adamtinkerer]

Welcome! Hawthorne switched to all balloon tires in 1934, so yours is earlier than that! Most of that era used a sprocket that looks like a snowflake. You can search the photo archives for old Hawthornes and probably can get an idea of what the whole bike looked like. It probably also had cross braced handlebars. The biggest problem you'll have is trying to find rims & tires, very pricey! Many have swapped in modern 700c rims, or the 28" rims used on english roadster and european/Chinese commuter bikes.

 

[Velostigmat]

Thanks Adam. I've found one crank set ,a picture (different bike but same crank) is below.

Would this bike originally have had a New Departure model C or model D rear hub? Also if I opt to use English roadster/European commuter rims, will the the rims be compatible with 1930s New Departure hubs?

Thanks!

 

[sensor]

as long as the hole count on the hubs and the rims are the same it shouldnt be a problem......although there are real wheels floating around that can be had for the cost of a set of the chinese(just takes some searching is all) ones

 

[Adamtinkerer]

Actually, this is the one I'm talking about, pulled from the Cabe archives, a very crusty Flyer:

That's the 'snowflake' sprocket. Btw, awesome og paint!!! I saw the larger pics on RRB tonight.

 

[imfastareyou]

a crank / chainring combo like that was listed on ebay tonight I think, 1920s elgin crank or something like that...

here you go:

crankset

 

[Backpedaler]

Hawthorne Deluxe

I just found this one. It may give you some idea of what's what . . .

 

[Velostigmat]

Thanks Man!

 

[kstarkusa]

heres my hawthorne deluxe

kurt

 

[mre straightbar]

nice chain ring kurt

never seen one like that