Tire and wheel options. 1923 Hawthorne

[Skulybros]

Hello, I am looking at putting a 1923 Hawthorne Deluxe back on the road. I would like to keep the wood wheels with it but ride on metal rims. (I have thought about lacing the stock hubs into new rims as well.) What is the best option to look original and ride well? Let's say cost is the last concern at this point. This unit is getting full frame off restoration. Thanks.

 

[fordmike65]

Welcome to the Cabe. There's lots of info on this very subject if you use the search feature. There are display tires some also use for riding, modern sew-up tires that seem to work, wheelsets off of some British bikes, wheelsets off modern bikes as well as lacing up original hubs to the favorite Velocity Blunts.

 

[Cooper S.]

My vote is Alex adventure 700c rims with vintage hubs wrapped in gravel king tires

 

[RustyHornet]

Very cool Schwinn built Hawthorne! I have it’s twin! I am currently going through the same thing, building a new wheel set with Velocity Blunt 35’s. The only difference being, I am using new hubs.

 

[mike j]

I've had good luck grooving & faux wood graining old metal clads. I got it here on the Cabe. I believe that @bikewhorder first posted the process. They can be had at swaps pretty reasonably, the grooving isn't hard to do & my wood graining skills have progressed from poor, all the way to mediocre. I've ridden this one pretty hard & am confident that they won't catastrophically fail. The metal does add a lot of strength to the side wall & they look fairly authentic.

 

[New Mexico Brant]

If you want to be period correct and have a good ride this is it:

Official G & J Clincher Rims Thread | Antique Bicycles Pre-1933

This thread is intended to discuss the three types of clincher rims Gormully & Jeffery (G & J) offered. A goal is to determine when certain rim types (wood, wood with steel inserts, and all metal) were first introduced and how long their individual production continued. Please feel free to...

thecabe.com

 

[Rusty72]

I always do Velocity's as tires are easier to get.

 

[New Mexico Brant]

Search results for query: G & J

thecabe.com

 

[dasberger]

Hello, I am looking at putting a 1923 Hawthorne Deluxe back on the road. I would like to keep the wood wheels with it but ride on metal rims. (I have thought about lacing the stock hubs into new rims as well.) What is the best option to look original and ride well? Let's say cost is the last concern at this point. This unit is getting full frame off restoration. Thanks.View attachment 1649290

Welcome! Nice bike... would love to add it the the Pre '33 Schwinn registry. Feel free to PM the serial and crank date for reference. I'd think twice about restoring that bike. Hard to find complete and that one has great original paint just needs to be cleaned up! Do some digging here and you'll be amazed at what can be brought back

To OG question both G&J and Velocity blunts are great options... Have both although the Blunts are certainly lighter. Good luck with the project

 

[RustyHornet]

Welcome! Nice bike... would love to add it the the Pre '33 Schwinn registry. Feel free to PM the serial and crank date for reference. I'd think twice about restoring that bike. Hard to find complete and that one has great original paint just needs to be cleaned up! Do some digging here and you'll be amazed at what can be brought back

To OG question both G&J and Velocity blunts are great options... Have both although the Blunts are certainly lighter. Good luck with the project

Second on the restoration part! I’d gladly trade my current project that could actually use a restoration and keep this one here OG! But to each his own! Love seeing them regardless.