Mom's Christmas present - 24" Wards Hawthorne

[Toeslider]

My Mom has been looking for a smaller framed 24" bike for a little while now, ever since she rented one in Hilton Head a while back, so when I came across this one at a swap meet I knew right then what I was going to do with it:

It was either something like this, or buy her a LaJolla from Walmart, and this seemed more fun! She wanted something simple and reliable that fit her good, so last summer I had her sit on it "to see if it felt right". She didn't know I intended to build up this same bike for her. As you can see, to the untrained eye it was simply a "basket case":

 

[Toeslider]

I decided to ditch the skiptooth chain and hub, pedals and the seat, in favor of more comfortable and easy to service pieces. Plus I can use those parts on other projects, where their significance would be lost on her:

I either lost the "stripping down" pictures, or didn't take any, but here are the refinished parts layed out for final assembly:

Starting to re-lace and true the wheels:

 

[Toeslider]

And the final product (I know, I'm not a great documentarian. Skipped a step or two in there...):

All in all I'm pretty pleased, and I learned a few things along the way (like don't circle dents with a Sharpie!) I think she'll love it, if I can manage to get it home without trashing it.

 

[jaysmo]

WOW ma-dukes has a sweet ride there you did a bang up job on this thing ... looks great!! 8)

 

[Toeslider]

I still need to find a cool looking reflector for the back fender, but other than that it's done.

 

[jaysmo]

i got this old gulco (I THINK THATS WHATS ITS CALLED) relfector i can donate to the cause not as cool as i think your looking for but its yours if you need it...LMK

 

[Toeslider]

Thanks, I've got a handful of those. I think I'm going to look for something beehive-shaped to set it off. Time to hit the truck stop store!

 

[Ichoptop]

looks great. just like making a present for your mom back in the day...they always appreciate them more when you build it.

 

[sleepy]

That turned out beautiful...very nice work! 8)

Plus its a million times nicer than a Walmart LaJolla.

 

[outskirtscustoms]

Nice work.

 

[Endlesschain]

I like it,nice clean build

 

[Toeslider]

Plus its a million times nicer than a Walmart LaJolla.

Funny how things turn out...look what showed up at Goodwill tonight for $30.00:

I've been wanting to mess around with one of these for a while...

 

[MplsCoaster]

Exceptional job on your Mom's Christmas present!! It really stylish, She'll love it

Great fresh find, instant karma :lol: :mrgreen: