Prewar Hiawatha

[Just Jeff]

I bought this bike about 15 years ago for the lofty sum of 5 bucks! Threw some cheapo chrome fenders on it and rode it for a few years. Then it got put into storage. Fast forward to about 5 years ago when I pulled it out of storage and loaned it to a friend who wanted a bike to ride. Unfortunately, said friend left it outside. Didn’t tell me this, I found out when I went over to visit one day. Bikes paint was shot. Chrome was gone. Sad day for me.

Fast forward to a couple weeks ago when I drug it out to start working on it. This is where I shall start the build. Frame is stripped to bare metal now. Need to fix a few dents before it gets some paint. Front forks are stripped and painted, ready to go. Chain guard is ready to be stripped. And I believe I found a correct rear rack for it.

What I know about it. Prewar Gambles Hiawatha. Shelby built. Original Shock ease springer fork. Original chain guard. Everything else I’ll be searching for...

 

[Just Jeff]

Won’t be restored, I’m just building a new daily rider for myself. And I’ll be searching for any info I can get on it. Would love to track down a year on it too.

 

[Freqman1]

What is the serial number? V/r Shawn

 

[spoker]

i have the same bike with tank,mine is a 41,look at the rear hub date

 

[Just Jeff]

Here is the serial number

 

[Just Jeff]

Original wheels were gone when I got the bike. It has Schwinn s2 from the ‘70’s on it

 

[Just Jeff]

Not a whole lot of progress today, but I did get my rear peaked fender fitted to the frame. Looks pretty good with the rack and chain guard fitted too. Now I just need to find my curved fender braces...

 

[Just Jeff]

Not a whole lot of progress today. But I did get my front fender dimpled to clear the fork legs, and got the new attachment point drilled. Still need to find my curved fender braces, but I think all the parts are now ready for minor bodywork and paint.
Getting busy at work so my progress may slow down, but I’ll post pics when I get more done

 

[Hammerhead]

Coming along nicely.
Hammerhead

 

[Just Jeff]

Took a break from the Hiawatha today. Still need to get some brazing material together to fill the dents in the frame. Should be back to working on it next week though.

Did a little work on a JC Higgins that was given to me over the weekend. First pic is how I got it. Second pic is how it looks today.