USAF Hawthorne?

[hwball_11]

Hi All,

I snagged this ride on a whim at the local swap meet yesterday. I'm new to the antique bicycle world, but saw the skip tooth sprocket and figured I couldn't lose on it at $40. Got it home and consulted a buddy, we're thinking early Hawthorne, possibly USAF surplus. Can anyone help me ID/Date this? As well as confirm if it is in fact a military production bike?

Serial #G88243
USAF Plaque - 54650

Thanks in advance for the help!

 

[Aeropsycho]

Hello Military frame Columbia go to the Military bike section on the forum look up serial number Nice Find!

 

[Mercian]

Congratulations,@hwball_11

You have bought a WW2 G519 Westfield Columbia bicycle at a fraction of their usual price. And identified to the USAF also. (-:

MG88243 / J9 was made Sept 1942.

It is lacking a lot of original parts, but may be of interest to @WarbirdPatrick , who has recently collected most of the parts you are missing.

Best Regards,

Adrian

 

[Aeropsycho]

1942 Columbia the only parks original are the frame and seat post.

 

[Mercian]

This is one of the nearest surviving examples to yours, to give you an idea of what it originally looked like...

G-519 Westfield Columbia finally done | Military Bicycles

Hi Wanted to share pictures of my military Columbia. Serial number MG87566. I purchased this bicycle at a garage sale in the middle of Nebraska. It was in pretty rough shape. I would like to thank Howie the Bikeman and Alan from Bergerwerke bicycles for parts. Would also like to thank Johan...

thecabe.com

 

[WarbirdPatrick]

Congratulations,@hwball_11

You have bought a WW2 G519 Westfield Columbia bicycle at a fraction of their usual price. And identified to the USAF also. (-:

MG88243 / J9 was made Sept 1942.

It is lacking a lot of original parts, but may be of interest to @WarbirdPatrick , who has recently collected most of the parts you are missing.

Best Regards,

Adrian

Adrian thanks for tagging Mr. Sent him a PM about it. The museum would love to have this frame so an original bike can be at the museum.

 

[DaGasMan]

Wow. Talk about beginners luck. That is a phenomenal find. Welcome to the CABE.
Wow. They're really out there just waiting to be found. And for $40 bucks? Wow.

 

[Mercian]

Hi All,

looking again this morning (it was late last night when I saw this post due to the international time diffrence).

It seems ( as @Aeropsycho said), that the main surviving parts from the G519 are the frame, fork and saddlepost, plus I guess a few bolts and bearings. But it's a good start for a restaoration, although the missing parts are getting harder to find. Luckily there's planty of knowledge and help on this forum.

There does seem to be USAF blue paint in places under the red (and OD green below that, these frames had no undercoat).

The lock on the top centre bar is a new feature. Not correct, but personally I'd keep it for the same reason that you wouldn't remaove the USAF plate, even though that's postwar.

Just some thoughts.

Best Regards,

Adrian

 

[WarbirdPatrick]

Thanks to Hayden the Warbirds Of Glory Museum was able to acquire the G519 frame. Make sure to checkout https://thecabe.com/forum/threads/g...ds-of-glory-museum.237028/page-9#post-1646022

For the restoration of MG88243