Rathorne

[ZbikerD]

I stopped by a scrapyard I have been eyeing up for a few weeks yesterday and found this there.. 10 bucks took it home. I'm thinking the badge says Hiawatha but I'm not positive, it's been painted over numerous times. Any help with an I'd would be great.. And year possibilities would also be sweet. Tomorrow I will start disassembly and look for serial number. the pics are a little dark but y'all get the idea. The bendix hub Is still smooth as butter with what I imagine is the orriginal grease.

This is nothing a welder won't fix in a jiffy!

 

[Rustinkerer]

Re: Hiawatha I believe?

It's a hawthorne, made by Snyder, 1959-69. The chainguard is an AMF Roadmaster/Shelby part though. Fine score for ten bones! -Adam

 

[ZbikerD]

Re: Hiawatha I believe?

Definitely is a Hawthorne. Got it all soaked in pb blaster last night amd everything is still smooth! I'm going to re lace the wheels add some tires and ride this beast.. I like the rust on this one!

 

[ZbikerD]

Re: Hiawatha I believe?

Picture with the bars flipped, to paint or not to paint? What do ya think? I was contemplating a flat od green maybe with brown or black rims? Or the other thought.. Give it a light sanding, wipe down and clear coat over rust and all? Input please.

 

[ZbikerD]

It's wrapped up for now.. I swapped out handlebars with a more narrow set. Dont know if they will stay on or go back with orriginal bars. Rides nice for sure.. Funny how a 50 sum year old bike is rideable after a spray down with pb blaster and a good re-grease. The rims will need to be trued and seat needs to be replaced but it rides pretty sweet as is.

 

[philsturman]

Great looking find, wish we could find bikes like that here. I would be tempted to leave as it is, but I am a bit of a ratter fan ha ha. Good work mate.

 

[ZbikerD]

I'm thinking on going all raw with this bike. Maybe.. There are a bunch of ideas floating around.. Got some pretty good looks today cruising around haha. One guy was like look at that cool old bike haha.

 

[ZbikerD]

Rathorne got a face-lift and now looks like this. A donar bike landed me everything but the frame. Turned out pretty smooth I think. A few winter pics. First ride and it was fun in the snow!