Little GTO!

[Rat Pilot]

I’m late to the party, but I have a few weeks, so I’m going to try do a refresh on my Hiawatha Warrior GTO. I’m thinking a new wheelset, tires, and some cleanup.

I’ve decided to leave the paint intact on this bike - just want to make a cool ratty rider.

 

[Wildcat]

It looks to be in fairly good shape, no bends in the fender braces or chain guard.
That's a Huffy made bike, the year is easily deciphered from the serial number.

 

[Rat Pilot]

It looks to be in fairly good shape, no bends in the fender braces or chain guard.
That's a Huffy made bike, the year is easily deciphered from the serial number.

It is pretty straight. It was girl’s bike, even though it’s a boy’s bike. It had a basket and a tag with “Jennifer” on the rear of the seat. I’ll get more pics when I get it out and start stripping it down tomorrow.

I’ll check that out when I strip it down. You’re right though - this bike is a renamed Huffy Cheater Slick.
I’ll check that out when I strip it down. You’re right though - this bike is a renamed Huffy Cheater Slick.

 

[ifitsfreeitsforme]

that's a cool little bike.

 

[Rat Pilot]

If this info I found is correct, I think it is a ‘64 model. It has the early seat, so maybe it is. Too bad it’s got the tag, but it’s kinda cool because it’s part the history of the bike.
Not sure I’m keeping it or ditching it?

 

[Indyjps]

Cool little ride, hopefully Jennifer got to ride it while it was still shiny.
Let's see where ya go.

My opinion, if it matters. Alloy rims with coaster and shiny hubs, frame - kill the rust and wax it up, black or green recover on the seat (more padding), grips to match. Bars, stem, sissy, oxalic acid and wax.

 

[Rat Pilot]

Tear down began!

 

[Rat Pilot]

Cool little ride, hopefully Jennifer got to ride it while it was still shiny.
Let's see where ya go.

My opinion, if it matters. Alloy rims with coaster and shiny hubs, frame - kill the rust and wax it up, black or green recover on the seat (more padding), grips to match. Bars, stem, sissy, oxalic acid and wax.

I’ve got to go ramble through my stash in my back shed to see what I have. I have way more 26” and 24” stuff than I do 20” bikes, but I do have some back there. The wheels that came on it and straight and true, and roll smooth, but I don’t have time to blast them and put them back together.

I’m going to have be really careful polishing/waxing the paint. It’s the candy two stage paint, and there already spot where the green is gone and just the silver basecoat is left. The green that is underneath stuff is really pretty. I would have loved to seen this thing when it was new!

 

[Rat Pilot]

Got the frame clean up and shined up and did the first mock-up. I’m trying to decide if I want to stick with white rims or go chrome.

Chrome with a slick is always has to beat, but I’m going to play around with some other wheelsets before making a final decision.

 

[Rat Pilot]

Mocked some better bars, and put the seat back on. I think I have a better sissy bar that I use on it as well. If not, I’ll just rock it ratty. I still have an idea for another tire and wheel combo. I’m waiting on one piece to the puzzle, so if it gets here in time I’ll try it out.

 

[Rat Pilot]

My tire came in! I love the white slick and front runner - just not sure I want to leave them on this bike.

It’s a cool look though. I wonder how they would look with a thin green line?

 

[Wildcat]

They would look good with matching green stripes, but then they would stay with the bike.

The serial number shows it to be a 69 model. The first digit is the last digit of the year. You have to guess the decade. "H" is for Huffy and the rest is the sequence number.

 

[Rat Pilot]

They would look good with matching green stripes, but then they would stay with the bike.

The serial number shows it to be a 69 model. The first digit is the last digit of the year. You have to guess the decade. "H" is for Huffy and the rest is the sequence number.

Ah Ok - I found several supposed Huffy decoding charts online, but they seemed to contradict one another.
I thought the drop center wheels, sissy bar, and chainring suggested later than ‘64, but the earlier style seat made me think it could be earlier.

 

[Rat Pilot]

I decided to go with black stripes on the tires. I couldn’t find a green that matched the lime on the bike, so I went with black.

I’m pretty much done with it. There were a few things I’ll probably still do, but it won’t be before the deadline.

 

[RustyGold]

Three days remaining! Finished threads are up!

 

[rat krate orange]

It is pretty straight. It was girl’s bike, even though it’s a boy’s bike. It had a basket and a tag with “Jennifer” on the rear of the seat. I’ll get more pics when I get it out and start stripping it down tomorrow.

I’ll check that out when I strip it down. You’re right though - this bike is a renamed Huffy Cheater Slick.
I’ll check that out when I strip it down. You’re right though - this bike is a renamed Huffy Cheater Slick. View attachment 185632

I have one of these little beauties in my shed that i found last year and still need to unbox yet.. COOOL little bike.. RaToN...