Classic & Vintage - AMF 10 speed from the 60's

No, I don't have one. When I was about 8, though, I wanted one.

These were (probably) Raleigh made frames. They had Huret Allvit derailleurs, steel cottered cranks, steel handlebars with steel brake levers. All the ones that I remember were painted a metallic gold color. The wheels were 26 inch. The bikes sold in department stores for about $50 or so.

What I can't remember is what name followed AMF. I know the English 3-speed was Hercules, but am not able to recall what name they put on the 10 speed.

Any ideas?

I had an AMF banana seat bike from the '60's, in the sunburst orange/gold color. I'm pretty sure it was called a Roadmaster, but I could be wrong. I don't know about the ten speed bikes, though. My aunt worked at a local AMF factory at the time, lacing spokes to wheels.......When I got a ten speed, in the very early '70's, it was an OTASCO brand, in the brightest orange I've ever seen. Sorry to not be more help, but just seeing the AMF name in the thread title brought back some memories. :)

I think the AMF banana seat bike was a Shelby. I had a friend that rode one.

I think the AMF banana seat bike was a Shelby. I had a friend that rode one.

Now that you mention it, the name Shelby does ring a bell, I think that might have been the name of the old banana seat bike I had........But I know I've seen an AMF Roadmaster somewhere, maybe it was a later model and my younger sister had one or something. I don't know........

My wife had an AMF "Scorcher" 10-speed from the mid 70s, and it was that and more. I think it was a welded rather than lugged frame, and the crank was one-piece, but maybe I am not remembering everything correctly - haven't had it for years. What I definitely remember was 26" wheels, bright orange frame, and very heavy (35 lbs+).

What I can't remember is what name followed AMF. I know the English 3-speed was Hercules, but am not able to recall what name they put on the 10 speed.

Any ideas?

You may be thinking about the Scout.

The first multi-speed bicycle I owned was an AMF Hercules 10 speed. It actually came with a lugged frame and a leather saddle. I paid about $79 for it in 1973. It had Semperit white-wall tires.

The three speeds were indeed A.M.F. Hercules. I think I've seen here that Hercules was a Raleigh Brand. I got a brand new one for my 12th birthday in 1966 and it was metallic gold. My recollection is that the instruction book with my three speed also described the ten speed bicycle. The bike you remember is probably a Hercules.


No, I don't have one. When I was about 8, though, I wanted one.

These were (probably) Raleigh made frames. They had Huret Allvit derailleurs, steel cottered cranks, steel handlebars with steel brake levers. All the ones that I remember were painted a metallic gold color. The wheels were 26 inch. The bikes sold in department stores for about $50 or so.

What I can't remember is what name followed AMF. I know the English 3-speed was Hercules, but am not able to recall what name they put on the 10 speed.

Any ideas?

I am beginning to think it must have been Hercules! I really hate it when you can't remember something.....

Pic attached of my '66 AMF-Herc Sports. Built by Raleigh, and essentially a Raleigh Sports frame. Never mind the odd componentry (and post '74 handlebars), for it is one of my custom build-ups.

Also attached is a photo of my '71 Raleigh Sports all-gold edition. Pretty close to what takara14 had, although I believe the catalouge photo shown on this site will be a dead ringer for your gold AMF:

http://threespeedbicycles.angelcities.com/AMF_Hercules.html

Take care,

-Kurt

Kurt, your Hercules frame sure looks like the one they used for the 10-speed. As to the Hercules 3 speeds that were shown in the link, I never recall seeing the more stylized Hercules chainguard. I do recall the hockey stick chainguard with the AMF logo.

But my world was pretty small back in the 60's!

cudak888

The bike in your link is nearly identical to the bike I had. Only difference would be the chainguard. The guard on mine looked like the one in the Wards catalog illustration and was chrome. Caught the cuff of my pants on it many times. Spent a lot of time bending it back!

I saw a red one at the recycle center in VT about 18 months ago, rusty, but complete. Even had the twist grip shifter. I had five bikes at the time and was thinking about relocating to FL, so left it for someone else.

I found one of the 26" ten speeds, one day, back in the 70s. It had been abandoned on our vacation property. It was very much as Rabid Koala described. I loaded on my 58 Chevy half ton and hauled it home. The owner claimed it after I circulated news of finding it. Unusual bike!

Just to mix things up, I have an AMF 3 speed that was made in Austria. It had "Skylark" on the chainguard. SA hub is dated 72. Two piece cottered crank. Lugged frame.
Sears sold 10 speed bikes duing the same time frame that had identical frames, also made in Austria, so I presume that AMF could have sold a 10 speed version, as well. Styer-Daimler-Puch was the manufacturer.