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kram

kram

Pro Member
Joined
Jul 12, 2008
Messages
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Location
Salt Lake City, UT
I was going to enter a build off bike from another build off that I haven’t finished. Once I started digging around looking at parts I decided to start a new build.

I picked up this old Hawthorne about a year ago for really cheap. It’s a custom bike that an unknown builder built. It wasn’t my style but I liked the frame and I’ve always wanted to try a Dana 3 speed. The bike did ride pretty good and the Dana is functioning. Seems like the usual complaint is that there is some drag with the Dana. I could feel that, but still pretty cool. Here’s what it looked like when I got it.
E1B4706D-029B-4109-98A8-6CE4C41B14F9.jpeg


I got it stripped down to just the frame and fork. I like these style of frames even if they are too small for me. Plan is to use the Dana 3 up front and a nexus 3 in the back. It might be a little pointless, more of a novelty, some of the gears could be redundant, but should be an interesting 9 speed. I think the frame is a 1939, but not totally sure about that either.
8CD43881-514F-4A35-9ED2-212E7BBCE3D5.jpeg
79EE77FF-21F3-4A43-A562-7FE665F961F3.jpeg
 
Cool bike to start with! Never had the Dana myself, will be watching. That is a great frame design, are the wheels 24" ?
 
Love the frame! I'm sure that you already know but for anyone else that is wondering, that is a 'Fastback" frame built by H. P. Snyder 1936 through 1939. Glad that you're ditching the banana seat. I hope that the chainguard goes with it. :21:

I'm looking forward to the 3 speed hub combination! I used a Bendix 2 speed kick back with my Drag King build back in BO9 and it did seem to help (a little) with the sluggish gears in the Dana. Hopefully the 3x3 will do the trick!-
 
The Renaissance Man said:
Love the frame! I'm sure that you already know but for anyone else that is wondering, that is a 'Fastback" frame built by H. P. Snyder 1936 through 1939. Glad that you're ditching the banana seat. I hope that the chainguard goes with it. :21:

I'm looking forward to the 3 speed hub combination! I used a Bendix 2 speed kick back with my Drag King build back in BO9 and it did seem to help (a little) with the sluggish gears in the Dana. Hopefully the 3x3 will do the trick!-
Click to expand...
Yes, the chainguard is definitely going. Only the Dana, frame, and possibly fork and handlebars will remain.
I think this frame is a 1939. I’ll get the serial number cleaned off to check for sure. I believe people also often refer to it as a “Zep” frame. Though calling it a zep is generally not correct unless it was an actual zep. I do have a real 1939 Hawthorne zep, but it is the cwc built one which is a different style frame.
So funny that you mention your build Drag King. I went through the entire build last night. I remember that bike, but I had forgotten most of the details. I found it by looking for custom Dana shifters. You’re solution was pretty incredible, and I will be basing my ideas off of the way you built it. My plans are to have dual stick shifters, one for the Dana and one for the nexus. I also had forgotten that you had done the two speed with the Dana. Like most of your builds it was full of great ideas.
 
Started to fling some parts. First up is the original fork with some truss rods that I think are from an Electra. Not a bad look. The fork would need to be spread and the axles ground to fit, but that’s not a big deal.
E7FB6FA0-8A2A-4E1C-8B20-D81EDC71B436.jpeg

I got this girvin fork from Uncle Stretch a few years ago. I’ve tried it on a bunch of bikes, but it’s never stuck. It’s kind of working on this one though. Put a few other random parts to see how it’s looking.
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kram said:
I got this girvin fork from Uncle Stretch a few years ago. I’ve tried it on a bunch of bikes, but it’s never stuck. It’s kind of working on this one though. Put a few other random parts to see how it’s looking.
View attachment 234884
Click to expand...
This may be the time to use it, because it looks both fresh and classic.
 
Girvin fork looks cool on this build! Maybe a narrower, more 'racy' looking saddle? The rear needs some old chrome 'beef' to balance that fork. Maybe a rear fender with a flip, or a chain guard ?

(please excuse my ancient Windows 7 Paint program... ;) )

board tracker.jpg
 
Last edited:
OddJob said:
Girvin fork looks cool on this build! Maybe a narrower, more 'racy' looking saddle? The rear needs some old chrome 'beef' to balance that fork. Maybe a rear fender with a flip, or a chain guard ?

(please excuse my ancient Windows 7 Paint program... ;) )

View attachment 235019
Click to expand...
I have an orange velo seat that is similar to brooks, this was just the seat I had at hand. I was thinking about a short fender too, but I think it will be painted. The fork is going to get painted too.
 

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