The weather was really nice today, so I took some update picture of my custom '50's Hawthorne cruiser. I also got the chance to get a riding video... rides mint! I swapped the pedals out for a pair of NOS Wald script red pedals, and although they are smaller than and not as deluxe as my old beefy Torrington 10's, they have a much nicer feel and look. I am still not completely done on this bike, but am very close to it. I am going to soon find a pair of jewelled handlebar to wheel trusses, possibly a removable cross brace for the handlebars (I like the look of those, I just don't want it to interfere with the visibility of my speedometer...), and I'm going to pinstripe "Deluxe" onto the chainguard with some appropriate red paint, or possibly have it done by someone else as I've never striped before. The word will be written in a very classic cursive font that fits the style of the bike. I swapped the rear fender out for a more appropriate, older and rusted Schwinn phantom fender that I "bobbed" free hand. It is a wide fender! I love the look. I swapped the 46 tooth mag chainring out for a more '50's 52 tooth Murray chainring... that was a huge improvement. This bike hauls in high and crawls in low. :lol: The larger sprocket really worked out nice. This bike is a huge hit at the town package stores where I often stop for a soda... I get a lot of questions and compliments. 
The last time I was there a guy came over and asked if it was "one of them Schwinn spaceliners?" :mrgreen: :mrgreen:
Pictures:
Future plans for the bike:
Find an axle mounted dropstand (I have bad luck with this bike tipping on the original kickstand) in ratty condition, find the jewelled trusses I described, find a removable handlebar cross brace, find an appropriately ratty rear basket (the type that has a basket on either side of the rear wheel) to haul iced tea with in the summer, some reflectors for the rear of the basket, and to find some clamps for a NOS bicycle battery tube and horn kit I picked up. (Pics later )
Video (camera work courtesy of my brother on his un-fairlady "frankenSchwinn" :lol: -soon to be totally overhauled-):
Sorry, the upload failed, I'll have to try again in a minute... should be up soon.
I really like this bike.
Oh, here's the battery tube kit:
The last time I was there a guy came over and asked if it was "one of them Schwinn spaceliners?" :mrgreen: :mrgreen: Pictures:
Future plans for the bike:
Find an axle mounted dropstand (I have bad luck with this bike tipping on the original kickstand) in ratty condition, find the jewelled trusses I described, find a removable handlebar cross brace, find an appropriately ratty rear basket (the type that has a basket on either side of the rear wheel) to haul iced tea with in the summer, some reflectors for the rear of the basket, and to find some clamps for a NOS bicycle battery tube and horn kit I picked up. (Pics later
)Video (camera work courtesy of my brother on his un-fairlady "frankenSchwinn" :lol: -soon to be totally overhauled-):
Sorry, the upload failed, I'll have to try again in a minute... should be up soon.
I really like this bike.
Oh, here's the battery tube kit:
