Scored a 40's Hawthorne

[necessaryevil]

Just picked this up today, not sure if it's prewar or early postwar. The man I bought it from was the original owner, his dad got it for him and his brother some 60 years ago. The bike is covered in a thin layer of house paint, hopefully I can get it off without harming the original decals or pinstiping. The seat has been recovered with vinyl, I think that's about the only thing not original.

 

[Rustinkerer]

Awesome! If it has the blue and red 'M/W' badge, I believe that's 48-52. Haven't unpacked all my bike books yet to know for sure. ~Adam

 

[necessaryevil]

Yep, that's what badge it has. I'm curious and scared to start removing the paint, anyone have any "safe removal" recomendations?

 

[necessaryevil]

It is now for sale, piece by piece. If you have any interest in anything let me know. It's taking me about 4 to 6 hours to safely remove the house paint on each part. The tank and chainguard are finished, everything else will soon be in the classifieds.