Hawthorne bicycle history
- Hawthorne bicycle history serial numbers#
- Hawthorne bicycle history serial number#
- Hawthorne bicycle history full size#
It has won the praise and captured the imagination of youngsters of all Sting-Ray, known as "the bike with the sports car look" has revolutionized cycling since it was This page provides year by year images and information quoted from Schwinn catalogs. As more people post, my conclusions may be reinforced or prove incorrect.The original Schwinn Stingray was made between 1963 to 1981. Still this is only based on what I have seen and then conclusions the information has led me to.
Hawthorne bicycle history serial numbers#
I have studied CWC and serial numbers for some time. models offered to distributors.Īgain, Anthony, thanks for your post I have noted from your posts that you have a good eye for catching detail, (often ones that I have missed) While 1941 was the introduction year for the CWC curved down tube, I believe straight down tube models may have continued in production as the basis for low spec. I haven?t collected postwar CWC numbers, I believe some postwar numbers duplicate prewar numbers but, other than the earliest postwar production, those bikes are obviously later.Īnyway, my main reason for dating Akikuro?s bike as late as I did was on the basis of the H serial number. In addition this bike is a Western Flyer not a Hawthorne.
Hawthorne bicycle history serial number#
The one standout oddball is an All American frame with a serial number A 15251 and an additional stamping (which appears to be factory) of a symbol followed by 138. I associate these numbers with 1940-1942 production. I have found later prewar frames with F, G, H, and K serial numbers, some of which have additional stampings that seem to point to special stamping for some Hawthorne and Western Flyer production. The A, B, C, and D, and E serial numbers seem by model to fall into a straight forward pattern of alpha-numeric sequencing that would have started in 1935-36 and continued through 1939-40 I have a 39-40 style 5-Bar Zep and a 1940 style girl?s Supreme with Exxxx serial numbers.Īs I have posted before, the earliest CWC frames I have found have Zxxxx serial numbers, followed by Axxxx serial numbers. The frames of this type I have encountered have all had Dxxxx serial numbers which I associate with 1938. It doesn?t appear after 1939 in Roadmaster consumer catalogs. I agree that the frame in question typically can be dated to 1938-1939. The bike may be sporting an earlier wheel set or a later chainring. If the changes were made early on, the overall patina doesn?t prove or disprove originality. The issue with dating a bike by anything other than the frame is that these parts may have been changed at any time. The chain ring on the bike doesn?t appear on Hawthornes until the spring-summer 1940 catalog. The change to N-D hub brake arms wasn?t part of my knowledge so I didn?t pick up on that. Hi Anthony, you bring up some good points and underline some of mine. In that case it was a less expensive paint treatment than head darts. I have not seen this on a Hawthorne but I have a base model CWC Western Flyer that has a similar stripe. I can?t tell from the photo if the broad box pinstripe around the badge is original or an addition. Your bike looks to be generally original with an accessory rack. If more people will post crank hanger/serial number photos, comparisons will lead to more general knowledge on the subject. Some of the other over-stamps may have to do with Montgomery Ward numbering for their record keeping.Īs I noted in my first post, earlier CWC numbers seem to follow a more straight-forward pattern than later prewar numbers.
Sometimes stolen or abandoned bikes were re-numbered by police departments before being sold at auction. One possibility is the LPD number refers to a police department. The other numbers could be several things. If my assumptions are right, your bike would prove that this style frame remained in production longer than any previous evidence I have seen would suggest. It is a 1941-1942 model.įrom the above evidence I would call your bike a 1941 and guess it was probably made between late 1940 and the end of prewar production sometime in very early 1942. I have a girl?s CWC Western Flyer in my collection that is H88113. It is hard to read, my interpretation being H06958. I believe the ?H? number is the CWC serial number. The torque-star chain ring didn?t appear until 1940 so if it is original to your bike that would date it to 1940-1942.Īs for serial numbers you have plenty to choose from.
Hawthorne bicycle history full size#
Hawthorne used three different chain rings on their full size prewar balloon models, the ?snowflake? the ?speed-comet? and the ?torque-star? (my names). That frame style typically dates to 1938-1939 but I think yours is later. Your Hawthorne is definitely prewar and is one of the models made for Montgomery Ward by Cleveland Welding.