Born Again Hawthorne - A Rider it is

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MazdaFlyer

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I found this old '37-'38+/- Hawthorne a few weeks ago. Basically I just plan to clean it up, add some tires and get it rideable. I suppose it will look ratty when done.
I didn't plan on entering this BO12, but here I am again since I was going to work on this bike anyway.
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This link goes back to the finding of this bike. Hawthorne Barn Find
https://r.tapatalk.com/shareLink?sh...eads/Hawthorne-Barn-Find.102946/&share_type=t

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Hey Ed, we're both doing Hawthornes! Cool bike, looks to me like you need grips, maybe tires and tubes, air them up and go. :grin:

Definitely has a great rat rod vibe already. You pick this up at your Kansas swap by any chance?

Will be watching what you do, or, don't do, to this bike...
 
Hey Ed, we're both doing Hawthornes! Cool bike, looks to me like you need grips, maybe tires and tubes, air them up and go. :grin:

Definitely has a great rat rod vibe already. You pick this up at your Kansas swap by any chance?

Will be watching what you do, or, don't do, to this bike...

Sounds good! Hawthornes rock now. I have a similar girls.
No the bike came from an outdoor flea market at Paramount West in ICT. There is a little paint residue on it along with the rust.
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A few minutes with WD-40 and steel wool.


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Great starting point!
Thanks it won't see much more that cleaning and lubricating, surprisingly the chain is still workable. Lots of grease gunk over the years. I figure the last rider was a youngster due to reversed stem.
Glad you decided to enter,have always liked your builds.
Thanks, I just don't have the motivation to try to be competitive this time. KISS principle is the goal this time. Clean it, grease it, add some missing parts and ride and roll.



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Goodyear tires on the way.
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Hopefully they will fill out fenders.


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This is the first old bike I've worked on that everything is coming loose without a fight. The stem, headset, pedals, saddle, seat post, axle nuts, truss rod nuts, handle bars, have all been loosened and or removed. The chain works freely but needs the gunk removed. I haven't messed with the bottom bracket and crank yet. The next step is to take it all apart. It's probably another backyard project so the dogs can help.
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the saddle is rough


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Great starting point, and awesome that it is all coming apart so easily!
Bring on the dog pics!

Thanks Luke! Dogs it is, rare peaceful moment.
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Those are the kind of bikes that I say, "If it's in this good of condition as a rusty bike, why try to shine it up?" :bigsmile:

After awhile, you get pretty good at estimating how 'rusted shut' the moving parts / nuts and bolts are before you commit.

That seat has a great shape to it. How is the hardware / springs on it? Maybe just a re-do on the top cover / pad might be enough?
 
That's a cool bike , ratty but still has some great color on it & it looks to
Be all there . Good score


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Those are the kind of bikes that I say, "If it's in this good of condition as a rusty bike, why try to shine it up?" :bigsmile:

After awhile, you get pretty good at estimating how 'rusted shut' the moving parts / nuts and bolts are before you commit.

That seat has a great shape to it. How is the hardware / springs on it? Maybe just a re-do on the top cover / pad might be enough?
I think I could just add tires, pedals and ride it. I don't think there will be much shine to it. I just want to rub it down and bring back as much of the paint as the rust will allow.
The seat hardware is rusted but seems solid. I'd like to retain the top cover. A redone sewn cover would be pricey. I've used those Faux sheepskin covers before. Does someone make covers?
The pedals are Torrington's, I have replacement blocks that I'll probably use.

That's a cool bike , ratty but still has some great color on it & it looks to
Be all there . Good score
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Thanks! The color is there but it won't be uniform. Some areas are better than others. Just a survivor that was used. No trailer queen for sure. I think the rack and chainguard were add ons.


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I can't wait to see this beauty all cleaned up, its going to be one classy rat.
 
I still can't believe how easy this bike came apart. Lots of lubricant on connections. It came from a rural farm, from an actual barn. I guess it was considered a piece of equipment so was somewhat cared for. It had its share of weather exposure though.
The chain was the hardest thing to get opened up. Most of the links are free though. Hopefully it doesn't fall apart when degreased.
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I remember when I was moving the parts around that the frame by itself was particularly "heavy". I'd say it weighs as much as one of my newer complete modern bikes. Rain woke me up...


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I spent some time on the front wheel rim. It shows some color. I need to get some degreaser for hub. I test fit the Goodyear tire and tube. The tube that came out of the tire that was on it is probably useable, is a heavy duty thorn resistant type.
The new tire doesn't fill out the fenders two well, so I might not use them. I like the simple Goodyear logo.
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The fender hadn't been cleaned yet.


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I like those GoodYears on there.
 

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