Another Restoration. Hawthorn Chopper.

Reviving a Classic Chopper from Hawthorn: A Journey of Rediscovery

So, we recently got our hands on this old Chopper from Hawthorn – a real vintage beauty with stories to tell. The journey to bring it back to life was less of a restoration and more like giving an old friend a bit of TLC.

First off, Pam, our resident reno magician, dove into the task with the energy of someone uncovering buried treasure. She took that Chopper apart piece by piece, like a kid unwrapping a long-awaited present to see what we were working with.

Then came the clean-up, and let me tell you, it was a bit like peeling away the layers of time. Pam worked her magic, coaxing the original paint and chrome to shine again. No fancy tricks, just good ol' elbow grease and a touch that only comes from years of handling vintage rides.

Now, we didn’t want to mess with the Chopper's personality too much. Those original rims, even though they'd seen better days, had character. Pam carefully brought them back to life, patching up spots where the chrome had seen better days. No over-the-top makeovers, just a respectful touch-up.

The mechanical bits needed some love too. Hubs got their fair share of attention, ensuring the Chopper wouldn’t just look good but ride smooth too. And that 3-speed twist grip shifter? It got the VIP treatment, not because it was a showpiece, but because it was a quirky piece of the bike's design that would be near impossible to replace.

The speedometer was a challenge, though. Pam had to get creative, rigging up a new drive cable to breathe life back into the original speedo. High-fives here, important to salvage a crucial part of the Chopper's past.

Finally, the finishing touches – a new sissy bar and a comfy seat. Not a radical transformation, just a subtle upgrade to make the Chopper look complete.

In the end, this restoration, although a success felt more like bringing an old friend out of retirement. The Chopper may not be ready for a showroom, but it's ready for the road again, and that's what matters. Here's to more rides and stories for this vintage two-wheeler.

Miles is a fan. Matches his favorite bandana…