Standard size BMX crank on a Hawthorne Cruiser

[MisterBrunswick]

I am building a Klunker out of a late 50's to early 60's Hawthorne and Im using a Redline 400 Flight crank but Im finding that if I am pedaling on an angle or turning sharply that the pedal contacts the ground. This is my first build so I am wondering why this would happen when the bike has 26 inch wheels and it doesnt happen on a BMX with 20's. The Cruiser crank arms are shorter than the BMX crank arms, am I going to have to go back to the lame 1 piece cruiser crank?. :roll: Thanks for any suggestions.

 

[deorman]

It's got an old style crown fork, just changing to a more modern MTB fork will probably raise it enough for regular riding. Better yet, snag an early Rockshox from somewhere.

 

[scrumblero]

the old cranks were sized to the bike, the new ones are longer you said right?

 

[TheFlyingDingo]

This is totally right. In my opinion you should go rigid-make it look more BMX-ey. That-or you can learn the way it works, like i have. I simply turn the crank opposite the way im turning

It's got an old style crown fork, just changing to a more modern MTB fork will probably raise it enough for regular riding. Better yet, snag an early Rockshox from somewhere.

 

[MisterBrunswick]

Rigid?, like adding a 26 inch BMX fork?. Sounds like a good idea that I may consider because I may end up racing this thing on dirt track so by altering the way I ride on turns I will sacrifice my times. If longer fork is what I need so I can keep the Redline crank I may not have a choice. I really dont want the front end up any higher but if this happens I will need low profile BMX cruiser bars.

 

[MisterBrunswick]

The BMX crank arms are 8 inches in length compared to 6 and 1/4 . If I want to build up good speed with 6 and 1/4 arms I'll have to give er everything I got until I got no more and even then I still aint flying.

the old cranks were sized to the bike, the new ones are longer you said right?

 

[Rat Rod]

Maybe they meant tubular fork...like this one.

 

[deorman]

If you fit one without much leading edge (see Rat Rod's pic) you wont give up much, if anything in cornering.