madpogue 

That ^^^^^ has too much original goodness going, esp up here where the elements have eaten up most of these. I'd sell it to someone who will keep it at least somewhat original.

repechage

I think the bar mentioned is a racing motorcycle part-

crank_addict

^ Good thought on that handlebar. Will look for some 50's era motorcycle bar, but also an appropriate stem.

Any clue what type brake?

madpogue 

Mic drop! Dayum, that's my back yard, now you got me holding my breath. And yes, it would be no less than an honor for an original Klunker to show up.

MrK.

I agree. That Hawthorne is too sweet to mess up. I built a Klunker but started with a 41 DX frame with a mish-mash of parts and a flat black rattle can paint job.

crank_addict

I think Skip is kidding on klunkerizing that Hawthorne. And surely a pretty nice boulevard cruiser. He's a big 'kid' too ;")

Anyways, a few parts arrived today and cool enough, one of the ebay sellers is fellow forum member 9volt. Acquired both front and rear hubs, the already mentioned Sturmey Archer though the front is a pizza slicer Schwinn. Its nothing like the original Woodsie yet has vintage vibe to the nines.

Tires arrived as well and I'm very pleased. Took a chance on a supplier who targets balloon and custom parade bikes (well, that's how I describe that market). They replicate the older Goodyear, all black, no stupid screened logos. Fairly supple sidewall which might deliver a nice ride.

Awaiting era replica rims, new production made in the early 1980's, specifically for those bike restorations back then. All chrome. Soon as they arrive will calculate spokes, in galvanized. Certain older bikes look right with fuzz growing galvi's and less sterile than shining stainless.

Lastly, I found a vinti Ashtabula stem with zero rise. It appears similar to the original depicted in the photo.

Took a hint from repechage and inbound is a motorcycle handlebar with slight / or low-rise. I think Fonzi would approve and in chrome of course. Wider than bicycle applications of the early production mountain bikes though today, wide is really in! My modern carbon 29er are very wide and I like it. I'm unable to determine whether Finley Scott cut the bars down, so should I leave these wide?

What grips should I acquire? Coke bottle, ball end, pointy? Prefer patina over new repro's so please anyone, shout out what you may have. Cheers-

crank_addict

Have a few ideas for the front brake, though the following images would be my first choice. Spotted on Worthpoint, I've left message to the original seller. Open to leads or know of an available brakeset like this.

Option 2 is earlier by another two decades.

TenGrainBread 

Those bolt-on Schwinn brakes are very cool. Good luck finding them though.

Repack Rider

Only useful if you don't use a tubular fork. Those are made for flat blades like you would find on a balloon tire bike. Schwinn Varsity used a flat bladed fork, but they are not high quality.

John's bike had a caliper brake.

crank_addict

^ That rules out brake choice 1, and further unlikely to even find.

The following was option 3 but now second choice. A steel behemoth Wippermann of German manufacture. For balloon type bikes, they also clamp to the fork blades, as I can just see enough on the old photo and possible he used some sort of brake like this. I don't see any center mount bolt.




Option 3 is not to original but is badazz, era correct and quite significant to the history of mtb brakes. Will save that thought for later and hoping the Wippermann is the answer.

Repack Rider

One reason that caliper brakes are acceptable for road bikes but less so for balloon tire bikes is the fact that the arms have to be so much longer to reach around the big tire, which adds considerable flex to the system. Also, a Campagnolo product such as a caliper brake is a high-quality bike part, but good luck finding that quality in an old steel balloon-tire caliper.

I suggest a drum front brake, which would be "period correct" if not an exact replica of the original.

crank_addict

^I concur going with a front drum (Musslemann, Bendix, etc) as widely available back when, yet rarely installed on the front in the 1950s.

Also and disagree on what Finley Scott used in 1953 for this particular bike. Can't imagine that small hub depicting any sort of built-in brake.

I wouldn't mind going with a front drum, yet the goal is following what he built. Broke that idea going with a 3 speed vs 4 speed IGH and now I've got to make use of the super tall flange front hub.

Regardless, doubt any of it will improve performance. Overall weight plus steel rims working against it all. Hehe~

Repack Rider

Musselman and Bendix are coaster brakes, neither of them made a drum front to my knowledge. Schwinn made a drum front brake, and I once found a pair of cantilever clamp-on brakes where the clamps were made for a half-round fork blade.

I don't see a rear brake in the picture, so I assume it is a hub brake, but coaster brakes are incompatible with derailleur gears.

John's idler pulley was under the front chainring. Hard to imagine how he shifted gears.

crank_addict

Samples of drum brakes currently on ebay. The Schwinn is a gem and priced like one. The brakes used for mopeds are within reason, should one build a retro klunker today (weird to say).

Sturmey Archer

Grimeca

Schwinn

Moped drum brake Italy

Sachs

Drum brake Taiwan

Repack Rider

A couple of those appear to be the Atom brakes that came stock on the Pea-Picker/Lemon Peeler line of Schwinn 20" bikes. If so, they are drilled for 28 holes.
Didn't matter to me in the '70s, we would buy those bikes and scrap everything but the hub, and drill 8 more holes. It turns out that 270mm spokes will lace ANY hub to a 26" rim (four-cross). 268mm drive side if you're fussy.

madpogue 

^^^^^^ Must've made for some interesting spoke patterns.

Repack Rider

It worked. We would try anything in those days.

crank_addict

Looking closely at the original picture, there's no derailleur, rather is a bell crank lever as chain tensioner mounted at the bottom bracket and downtube. Somehow is spring loaded.

To change the cog gears, one would have to stop, lift the tensioner, reposition chain to desired cog and then release.

I'm considering making it out of an old motorcycle gear shift lever. Cyclo idler jockey depicted.

crank_addict

Bring on the 'heavy metal'. Would you prefer in grams or pounds? Estimating the completed build at 55 lbs..

madpogue 

I wonder if, in the UK, you can get a scale like that with a units selection for "stone".

crank_addict

Joe Breeze comment in good jest:

Finley was a bit of a crank.

Lol

Source:
https://www.bicycleretailer.com/nort...e#.XllMxnNME0M

Joe Breeze early klunker Schwinn Excelsior

madpogue 

Brilliant; fitting tribute, just like your build.

bwilli88 

I have an old drum brake left over from my rebuild of my Gazelle primeur market bike. I would bring it with me in May when I come, Pm regarding price if you want it.

crank_addict

​​​​​​
Much appreciated but I'm all set with choice of brake. Hang on to it for your 'future' retro klunker build!

dedhed

Found a chain tensioner for you.