Most Hawthorne bicycles were manufactured by the Cleveland Welding Company or H.P.Snyder (makers of Rollfast bicycles).From 1940-1941, they sold the American, a bike designed by famous industrial designer Walter Dorwin Teague.They were so proud of this that they even used his name to advertise the bike.
The Hawthorne versions were dubbed the Duralium, and differed only slightly. This can also make identification of a Hawthorne bicycle difficult if it is missing its badge or other unique identifying components, such as the sprocket. Instead, we are forced to use the original published catalogs from Montgomery Ward to identify the year and model. Fortunately, a reprinted book containing catalog pages from the 30s through the 60s is available. Hopefully these few words arm you with enough information to pick out a real Zep. The frame was used for models such as the Sport or Comet and was used all the way through 1939 (but only 37 for Zeps). The frame was built by H.P. Snyder who distributed most of their product through D.P. Harris as Rollfast models. There are a couple of ways to determine if the bike is a Zep. First all 1937 models were black with white trim and red pinstripes. Secondly if the fork is present it must have a fork lock which was internal to these forks. There are two varieties of the 1937 bike, an early and a late bike. The early bike uses a frame without the dropstand ears on the dropouts and angular truss rods. The Zep was now offered in a couple different colors as well as being made by both Snyder and Cleveland Welding Co. CWC). While the catalog only list the bike in black and white there are cream and black versions as well. The bikes could also be ordered with a New Departure front brake and two speed as shown on the above bike. All Zeps still had a locking fork but now it is the external type typically seen on CWC products that uses a Wise key. Montgomery Ward Hawthorne Bicycle S Serial Number AndThe frames between both makers are very similar but two quick tells will be the serial number and the rear fender bridge. The serial numbers of CWC have a distinctive font as well as the numbers are pretty well known as far as dating the bikes and the serial will likely start with B, C, or D. The rear fender bridge on a CWC will be straight across vice a round fender bridge as found on the Snyder built bikes. To complicate things even further though Wards sold bikes (not just Zeps) with the, new for 39, CWC shockmaster fork (pic). This fork was optional so you will find Zeps made by both Snyder and CWC equipped with either truss or spring forks. The bikes could also be equipped with either streamlined handlebars or steerhorn handlebars and also a two speed was available. Similar models used this frame but the Zep frame will have two holes on the bar under the tank to mount the battery tray (pic) whereas the other models will not have these holes. Like the 38 models the Zep will have the external fork lock and be fully equipped. While there are small differences between the fenders and other things on the 39 models the maker (Snyder or CWC) can be determined the same way as a 38 model although the serial for a CWC bike will likely start with either a D or E. Like previous years the catalog only list the Zep in black and white although both blue and red bikes with white trim are found as well. Of the three years the 39 is generally the more desirable due to its double bar frame and unique tank design with the lit reflectors in the side. I would caution against buying project bikes as parts have gotten terribly expensive and building one of these from a frameset could easily cost two to three times the worth of the bike when finished. If buying a restored bike there is no way to know for certain if the bike truly began as a Zep unless the seller has pre-restoration pictures that indicate it was a Zep.
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