Need advice

[Greystoke]

I have a choice to pick up a couple of bikes this week. Both are 1950's. A Hawthorne in fair shape and a Schwinn Typhoon in better shape. The price is the same for either (around $40.00 for each). Would you guys go with one over the other. I know most will say " Buy both!" but the wife is looking at me like I am crazy to start another hobby as it is. Any thoughts would be appreciated. Thanks, Brian

 

[Markm]

get both...at that price, you could sell one and make your money back....if ya get a little more, take Momma out to dinner!! :mrgreen:

 

[ish]

Typhoon. It's in better shape, built better, and has more of a following.

 

[WhiteShadow]

if i could get both at that price i'd be amazed. tell you what, i'll give you 40 to get the other and you can send it my way

 

[sensor]

if youre planning on selling them get the schwinn people go $tupid over them for some reason......
if you want something to ride....get which ever you like better since the schwinn isnt really any better made than the hawthorne(contrary to what others may say.....most american bikes were a built well until the late 60's 70's) and the schwinn is probably a middleweight(id say 60's. im not 100% that its not from the 50's but every typhoon ive seen has been a mid. weight and those started around the 60's) which mean if you want to run balloon tires and fenders it isnt going to happen. plus youve got the oddball size schwinn s7's to contend with.......

 

[Greystoke]

Gonna try my first photo upload. Here is the Hawthorne that I am looking at:

 

[SCHWINNRAY69]

I'd get both! :mrgreen: Its a pretty good deal

 

[sensor]

hard to tell from the small picture but that looks like its 60's also......

 

[Greystoke]

My ignorance shows. New at this old bike biz. Glad you guys know your years. I also have a lead on some other older bikes but wouldn't mind picking these up to boot. I am learning that older bikes (including the 60's) are getting scarce. I am not really looking at buying for resale. Just like cool old bikes. Interesting that some bikes go for a fortune and similar ones are found at garage sales for almost nothing. Learning all the time! Brian

 

[Unchained]

Typhoon. It's in better shape, built better, and has more of a following.

Hey! I think that's a matter of opinion, being built better. :lol: :wink:

I agree with Mark- I'd buy them both; the price on each seems pretty reasonable, and so if you get both and prefer one, you can sell the other and probably make a little bit. Typhoon's are pretty cool, as are the old dept. store bikes.

The Hawthorne does look to be early sixties (possibly late fifties, though I'd be more likely to call it sixties). It is an H.P. Snyder made bicycle. I have an H.P. Snyder made Hawthorne cruiser that is one of my all time favorites of the bikes I have owned... the only issue I have found with these Snyder frames is the fork. They seem to always be bent. It looks like the fork on yours is good and straight, though. Typhoon or Hawthorne (or both!)... either way, I don't think you can go wrong. :wink:

 

[30thtbird]

Brian, I would gettem' both. If you don't save them, who will. It beets seeing them turned into Toyotas. They seem like nice finds with good affordable prices. If you buy those 2 and the few others that you mention knowing about, you could have a different one to ride each day of the week. Talk about fun.
Hey unchained and Sensor, you guys are my new heros. Admittedly, I own a schwinn or 2, but I am truely anti-schwinn. Kenny.

 

[sensor]

yeah id probably get them both as well :roll:

im not anti schwinn at all.....heck theres 5 in my garage(although only 3 are mine the other 2 are wife and sons)
just dont like the 'schwinn is better than everything' misconception....i know people have preferences but just because they produced more than most others doesnt mean theyre better.....just easier to find is all

 

[Unchained]

Brian, I would gettem' both. If you don't save them, who will. It beets seeing them turned into Toyotas. They seem like nice finds with good affordable prices. If you buy those 2 and the few others that you mention knowing about, you could have a different one to ride each day of the week. Talk about fun.
Hey unchained and Sensor, you guys are my new heros. Admittedly, I own a schwinn or 2, but I am truely anti-schwinn. Kenny.

Well said- I hate to see these get scrapped.

And thanks. :lol: I'm not anti schwinn either, they produced some very cool, solid bikes, but I'm with Sensor, I don't think that Schwinn is better than everything.

 

[30thtbird]

Didn't mean to try and take over a thread. I di understand what you guys are saying. Afterall, why woiuld I own a couple. I just get so darn mad at how snooty some of these schwinn people get. I'm sure you know what I mean. It's just nice to be able to say what I did and not get banned and to see other people do it is just amazing. Kenny.