Just Picked This Up: 1941 Wards Hawthorne. I think?

[IRMB]

Hello!

I just started researching old bikes a few weeks ago and found this guy on Craigslist. It looked like a good deal, so I bought it.

Mechanically it is solid. The previous owner had everything overhauled. The wheels were rebuilt with DT spokes.

Someone did a pretty poor paint job on it at some point.

From what the seller told me, and from what I've seen online this is a 1941 Wards Hawthorne.

But the pictures I've seen of this year/make/model show springs on the trusses. So is my bike missing stuff?

Is it worth repainting and rechroming - or should I just ride it?

I plan to make this living room art and an around town cruiser.

Thanks!

And since this is my first post, I am still trying to figure out how to post pics. Stay tuned.

Edit - can images be posted directly or do i need to use a photo site like google picasa?

 

[ratina]

You need to use a site to host the pictures, like photobucket.

 

[IRMB]

You need to use a site to host the pictures, like photobucket.

Thanks. I am having trouble with Picasa now too - its not letting me imbed.

Let me know if you can view my album. Thanks.

https://picasaweb.google.com/1028402830 ... 1271961346

 

[ratina]

no, it says page not found

 

[IRMB]

no, it says page not found

thanks. Google didnt like that album for some reason, so I moved them to another album.

lets try again.

 

[ratina]

Nice!

They started using that sprocket in 1940, the bike is pre war. If you post the serial number underneath the crank housing it can be decoded for you.

The fork looks correct for the bike. I think the springer forks came later on.

 

[IRMB]

thanks. I was able to make out the numbers, but not the letter on the serial number.

What I noticed was all the numbers were inline with each other - but there were other marking on the BB, not inline. Are the letters contiguous with the numbers, or are they placed separately?

This is what I have 33917

edit - the upper rear fender mount is curved, not straight. I read somewhere that helps ID the manufacturer...

 

[ratina]

There should be a letter followed by 5 numbers. I think its Cleveland Welding built, so there should be a big C with a small w inside of it to the right of the serial number

 

[IRMB]

Heres's the best pic I have of the BB. As you will notice, there is not discernable letter before the number sequence. There are other markings on the BB - but nothing I can make out.

 

[ratina]

Could be Huffman built. Phil, username rms37, is an expert on these bikes. He can tell you anything you need to know

 

[Rustinkerer]

There should be a letter followed by 5 numbers. I think its Cleveland Welding built, so there should be a big C with a small w inside of it to the right of the serial number

Actually, the 'Cw' series started around 1947. I'm going to guess this is a Snyder built bike, due to the spaced out numbers, and no 'gills' (vents) in the tank. However, Phil is the Sensei on those! -Adam

 

[IRMB]

Still think it's a 41 hawthorne, though?

 

[Rustinkerer]

Still think it's a 41 hawthorne, though?

Yes, I looked at a few 40-42 ads (photocopies), and the graphics look very similar. -Adam