My new Hawthorne: Dig the CRAZY front end!

[VonFink]

I just bought this today for $115 off Craigslist. While it is clearly a hodgepodge of parts, I feel like the crazy fork/springer/truss/headlight assembly and the Hawthorne pedals are worth my investment. These may end up on my 1930's Columbia/Westfield build. See photos below.

• Could this be a 1930's frame?
• Is this front end authentic? (I mean, I smell a Rat-Rodder in the woodpile here...)
• Clearly this should be a skiptooth, but isn't...right?
• Dig the rims
• Cool FAT fenders, but don't seem to be original
• Seat is a <gorgeous> Del Sol I just added for the test ride, seat that came with it was not original

Anyhow, I'd appreciate any insights before I decide to tear this down for parts.

Thanks,
Tim

 

[ratina]

Springer is from a Rollfast. Not sure if they built Hawthorne's or not. Frame is 50s or 60s. Don't believe the fenders are original. I think you got a good deal

 

[VonFink]

Ah, if it's 50's-60's then the sprocket and rear hub ---MIGHT--- be original to the Hawthorne frame.

 

[VonFink]

Mystery solved? Here's a 1947 Hawthorne Deluxe I found online:

 

[ratina]

Nice!

Maybe the fenders are original

 

[VonFink]

yeah, everything seems to be original but the tires, seat and grips. Missing the original rack/carrier, horn, tank, chain guard, horn button & seat

 

[Rustinkerer]

It's a Snyder built 'thorne, they started using that blue & red M/W 'crest' badge in 1950. There's a theory that Snyders have the year stamped in reverse on the BB, aside from the serial #. I saw a mid 50s version on the Cabe just a while ago, and it was stamped '55EH', so a 1950 could be stamped 05 and two letters. Not a guaranteed ID though, as there's no serial info available, the company closed in '76. -Adam

 

[VonFink]

I'll look. Thanks!

 

[Outlaw90]

dude you got a good deal i think! that is super cool man.