Classic & Vintage - Fifty Year Old Bikes

Over in the "Over Fifty" Forum there is a thread on "the oldest bike you ride on a regular basis". To my surprise, there were folks riding bikes that are fifty years old, or whose owner was preparing for regular rides.

Awhile back, "Classic and Vintage" had a thread where people talked about bikes they ride every day that are ten or twenty or thirty years old. But, I don't recall anyone saying that he rides a bike from 1950 or 1960 on a regular basis.

So, is there any member in "Classic and Vintage" who has a bike made before 1960 that he still rides on a regular basis? If so, I hope you will tell us about your bike, how much of it is still "original", and maybe post some photos.

This is the oldest bike we own, and it's my wife's regular ride, but I don't know exactly how old it is:
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y87/boysrus/Roadmaster.jpg
It's an AMF Roadmaster, with a Cleveland Welding badge. Pedals are from a '71 Schwinn Collegiate frame, and the handlebar is from our "garden art" Huffy.

Do you subscribe to the magazine "Bicycle Quarterly?"

http://www.vintagebicyclepress.com/vbqindex.html

Some might argue that the editor feels anything YOUNGER than 50 years is not really worth riding.

- FBB

I'm planning on a ride this afternoon, but can't quite decide between my early 1950s Raleigh Record Ace or my 1949 Raleigh Clubman. A couple of days ago, my ride was on my 1948 Claud Butler, and another regular rider is my 1960 Capo (oops, that's one's only 47 years old!).

Neal

I did a thread about combined age (rider + bike). Rules were the bike must be a rider (no wall art). Sheldon was the winner at 151. http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=291773

I don't know the exact date, but my bike was built anywhere from 1955-1960. I ride it 2-3 times a week. Pictures here. http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=285842

I am also looking for a pre-war Frejus, which would be about 70 years old to ride. Let me know if you see one.:)

I wonder if the old bike I rode 50 years ago is still around? Anybody else get a used bike from Santa?

My Wife's Hercules Skyliner that we acquired from Pastor Bob is over 50 years old...we just don't know how much over 50:p It isn't a daily rider...yet, but I suspect once I get it back together she will be riding it at least once a week.

Aaron:)

My 1955 Corvette is on this forum too... :)

My 1955 Corvette was pretty much original when I bought it from Tolfan for $10 (except consumables). I will replace the spokes and rims. May replace the stem and fork (of course bearings etc too). Cables tires and tubes are new. I may mount a banana seat and ramshorn bar. So, all that will really be original will be bars, hubs, frame, chain guard and crank.

My oldest literally-daily rider is a 1967 bike of unknown American build Raleigh emulator-but-not-a-clone which was sold under the HOLIDAY STORES gas station brand name. It's a S/A 3-spdr. My oldest once-a-week rider is a 1947 Raleigh Sport with _matching dates_ Dyno front and SW rear hubs. I was built in 1941-42.
alf

'37 Schwinn Henderson. It needs a bit of work but can be ridden on short, local rides. I don't trust the brakes enough to go very far, since the terrain has a few hills here and there. Older doesn't automatically mean "better", but many of these older bicycles show some quality workmanship. Many have lasted all these years on the road for a reason- good care and quality production.

My everyday ride is an original condition 1953 Hercules ladies roadster.....

http://img525.imageshack.us/img525/935/anniesherculesyf0.jpg

The photo shows my Hercules in the condition in which I found her. All I've done since is keep her cleaned, lubed and serviced and she's a joy to ride :)

Sorry for no photos (gf lost camera charger) my new daily rider is a 1954 Raleigh Sports all original except handgrips and fulcrum pulley. this bike has the full chaincase all there. our combined age is 103.

My everyday ride is an original condition 1953 Hercules ladies roadster.....

http://img525.imageshack.us/img525/935/anniesherculesyf0.jpg

The photo shows my Hercules in the condition in which I found her. All I've done since is keep her cleaned, lubed and serviced and she's a joy to ride :)

Sianelle,
Do you have any better pictures of that bike? We have a Hercules Skyliner from that general period and would like to cross check some details. The Skyliner is a single speed freewheel ladies frame with rod brakes. We have been unable to pin down the date. Most of the clues point to the 50's.

Aaron:)

Here is picture right after it was rescued by Pastor Bob:
http://inlinethumb43.webshots.com/7274/2132725870066886751S425x425Q85.jpg (http://sports.webshots.com/photo/2132725870066886751TxQpPl)

I rode this one to and from the church every day until someone stole the bars, stem, saddle and tires. ;);) Actually it came from the same place that I found wahoonc's Hercules. The best estimates of it's age say that it is from 1888-1892. A very early safety with rims for the earliest pnuematic tires. Can you imagine why someone would have left it at the town dump? I can't.
http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p71/pastorbobnlnh/AntiqueFixie.jpg

I rode this one to and from the church every day until someone stole the bars, stem, saddle and tires. ;);) Actually it came from the same place that I found wahoonc's Hercules. The best estimates of it's age say that it is from 1888-1892. A very early safety with rims for the earliest pnuematic tires. Can you imagine why someone would have left it at the town dump? I can't.





Clearly, because it is missing the tires, the handlebars, the seat, and the removable top tube. You could have the last remade. The tires may be problematic. this is a project that, if it fully consumes you, willl ultimately save you a lot of money because you won't be pursuing those no Record campy hubs for your /67 whatever. Good luck and keep us all posted...I recommend Jack at franklin frames for the paint and box lining/pin striping, whatever you decide you need.

Clearly, because it is missing the tires, the handlebars, the seat, and the removable top tube. You could have the last remade. The tires may be problematic. this is a project that, if it fully consumes you, willl ultimately save you a lot of money because you won't be pursuing those no Record campy hubs for your /67 whatever. Good luck and keep us all posted...I recommend Jack at franklin frames for the paint and box lining/pin striping, whatever you decide you need.

I'm not doing a thing to it. It will probably go to Copake Auction for their annual Antique Bike sale next spring. They and others have suggested not even cleaning the excess dirt off of it.

So, is there any member in "Classic and Vintage" who has a bike made before 1960 that he still rides on a regular basis? If so, I hope you will tell us about your bike, how much of it is still "original", and maybe post some photos.

I go for short rides on a c1930s fixed gear racing bike. I have since added quil pedals and toe clips since the photo was taken. It has had a long and somewhat hard life and the rear wheel needs replacing and the front chainring works loose on the spider after about 10kms. I also have a 1956 Humber Sports with AG three-speed dynohub and full chaincase that I ride occasionally. The humber is just about to get a FG four-speed dynohub and has recieved a reproduction sprung leather saddle.

I'm not doing a thing to it. It will probably go to Copake Auction for their annual Antique Bike sale next spring. They and others have suggested not even cleaning the excess dirt off of it.

Yes, - if it took a 100 years to get like that why mess with success :)

Seriously though I'm always dead keen to get hold of a bike that's complete with dirt and cobwebs rather than one that the previous owner has 'tidied up a bit'. As a case in point I was recently able to obtain a 1950s English 'Wearwell' Club Racer in as-pulled-out-of-the-shed condition. It was only after I was able to spend sometime carefully cleaning my way down through the layers of dirt and light surface rust that I discovered such delights as the original owner's name painted on the frame downtube as well as the faded 'Club' transfer/decal that'd been completely invisible before I started to clean away the dirt. An old bike is almost like an archeological dig in some ways and it's very easy to wipe away history forever if you're not careful.

Moving onto the mysteries of Hercules bicycles, - sorry I haven't taken anymore pictures of my '53 Hercules, but as to her 'spec' she is completely un-messed with and while her original paintwork and transfers are pretty tatty I'm just glad that nobody has attempted to freshen-her-up with housepaint and a 3 inch brush.
The frame is of the 'C' tube heavyweight roadster variety which is different to the 'Skyliner' in the picture (Wot an unusual name; - never heard of one of those before). Though I will say that I do own another ladies Hercules that does share the same distinctive frame, but it doesn't have roller lever brakes and Westwood rims and uses caliper brakes instead.
My roadster has a SA 3 speed hub with drum brake; roller lever brakes on the front; 28inch Westwood wheels; 'Wrights' saddle; 3 'H' Chainwheel. Being postwar she doesn't have the wonderful combined 'H' and 'C' reflector on her rear mudguard :cry:, but she does have the plain wide deep section mudguards without a raised centre ridge.
Something to look for on your Hercules frame is whether or not she has a threaded boss on the chain side frame stay to mount a fully enclosed chaincase. If she does it's a good rule of thumb that she would've been made in the first half of the 1950s period. I used to have some scans from a Hercules catalogue somewhere, - if I find them I'll post them on the forum.

Cheers,

Annie
http://img207.imageshack.us/img207/6589/fiets853ac7.gif

I go for short rides on a c1930s fixed gear racing bike. I have since added quil pedals and toe clips since the photo was taken. It has had a long and somewhat hard life and the rear wheel needs replacing and the front chainring works loose on the spider after about 10kms. I also have a 1956 Humber Sports with AG three-speed dynohub and full chaincase that I ride occasionally. The humber is just about to get a FG four-speed dynohub and has recieved a reproduction sprung leather saddle.

I love your Humber :) I used to have one just like yours only it was red. Who was the maker of your track bike? - I know the answer to a question like that can be a mystery sometimes. I purchased an old 1930s Empire track bike recently, but I'm still awaiting its arrival.

Do you subscribe to the magazine "Bicycle Quarterly?"

http://www.vintagebicyclepress.com/vbqindex.html

Some might argue that the editor feels anything YOUNGER than 50 years is not really worth riding.

- FBB

And I thought they just had to be French, I subscribed for a year, but the World View of the editor and primary author was not great reading.

Wow...I'm amazed. The oldest bike I've seen anyone riding around Houston was a Schwinn that seemed to be one of those "green" army issue bikes made between 1942 and 1945. People are riding bikes made in 1890?? That's gonna be the winner I suspect.

I love your Humber :) I used to have one just like yours only it was red. Who was the maker of your track bike? - I know the answer to a question like that can be a mystery sometimes. I purchased an old 1930s Empire track bike recently, but I'm still awaiting its arrival.

I have no idea of the maker of the track bike. When I got it it had the handlbars flipped, a carrier and roadster mudguards fitted. It was still on the fixed gear though. It has been repainted and has no badge or decals or distinctive markings. I did decide it was worth saving. Now to get a new 40 hole 28 x 1 3/8 Westwood pattern rim, period pedals, a new Brooks B17, a repaint, recrome the Major Taylor stem and handlebars...:rolleyes:

Moving onto the mysteries of Hercules bicycles, - sorry I haven't taken anymore pictures of my '53 Hercules, but as to her 'spec' she is completely un-messed with and while her original paintwork and transfers are pretty tatty I'm just glad that nobody has attempted to freshen-her-up with housepaint and a 3 inch brush.
The frame is of the 'C' tube heavyweight roadster variety which is different to the 'Skyliner' in the picture (Wot an unusual name; - never heard of one of those before). Though I will say that I do own another ladies Hercules that does share the same distinctive frame, but it doesn't have roller lever brakes and Westwood rims and uses caliper brakes instead.
My roadster has a SA 3 speed hub with drum brake; roller lever brakes on the front; 28inch Westwood wheels; 'Wrights' saddle; 3 'H' Chainwheel. Being postwar she doesn't have the wonderful combined 'H' and 'C' reflector on her rear mudguard :cry:, but she does have the plain wide deep section mudguards without a raised centre ridge.
Something to look for on your Hercules frame is whether or not she has a threaded boss on the chain side frame stay to mount a fully enclosed chaincase. If she does it's a good rule of thumb that she would've been made in the first half of the 1950s period. I used to have some scans from a Hercules catalogue somewhere, - if I find them I'll post them on the forum.

Cheers,

Annie
http://img207.imageshack.us/img207/6589/fiets853ac7.gif

Annie,
I would love to see some scans of ANY Herc catalogs. The Skyliner is also odd in that the Westwood rims are EA3 26x1-3/8" made by Dunlop. The head badge on ours is just like the one in your avatar. My best guess on age is early 50's.

Aaron:)

Wow...I'm amazed. The oldest bike I've seen anyone riding around Houston was a Schwinn that seemed to be one of those "green" army issue bikes made between 1942 and 1945. People are riding bikes made in 1890?? That's gonna be the winner I suspect.

Alan, I don't ride the bike I found at the town dump. I was just kidding. The oldest bike I ride regularly is a '62 Schwinn Continental.

Annie,
I would love to see some scans of ANY Herc catalogs. The Skyliner is also odd in that the Westwood rims are EA3 26x1-3/8" made by Dunlop. The head badge on ours is just like the one in your avatar. My best guess on age is early 50's.

Aaron:)

My 1947 Raleigh ladies Sports uses 26x1-3/8" Westwood rims made by Dunlop too. I think 26inch Westwoods weren't that uncommon on early postwar English bikes and were commonplace on prewar ladies bikes. I much prefer roller lever brakes anyway, properly setup they work really well and they're easy to maintain and repair.
I'll keep looking for the catalogue scans - I'm still shockingly disorganised at the moment :rolleyes:

Over in the "Over Fifty" Forum there is a thread on "the oldest bike you ride on a regular basis". To my surprise, there were folks riding bikes that are fifty years old, or whose owner was preparing for regular rides.

Awhile back, "Classic and Vintage" had a thread where people talked about bikes they ride every day that are ten or twenty or thirty years old. But, I don't recall anyone saying that he rides a bike from 1950 or 1960 on a regular basis.

So, is there any member in "Classic and Vintage" who has a bike made before 1960 that he still rides on a regular basis? If so, I hope you will tell us about your bike, how much of it is still "original", and maybe post some photos.

Regular readers know I frequently ride the 1959 Capo, although perhaps it will be more significant when I start riding the 1960 Capo regularly, because its components are either original or period-correct (chainrings). My only concessions to modernity will be tires, brake pads, cables and housings, spokes, and probably rims.

Alan, I don't ride the bike I found at the town dump. I was just kidding. The oldest bike I ride regularly is a '62 Schwinn Continental.


I'd love to have a rider from the 1890's. I finished the '82 stumpjumper today, and it is soooo far from the Stumpjumper FSR that I usually ride offroad that, well, it was hard to believe. The experience was worth all of the frustration of trying to put it back right. The oldest that I ride regularly (and the oldest in the garage) is the '57 hetchins, btw.

For rides around town, I regularly ride my 1937 Bianchi roadster. I received it from my mother-in-law as an engagement gift. It was bought new by her father (my wife's grandfather) and has remained in the family all along. It is all original except for the tires, inner tubes and rim tapes. It rides great.

I used to ride my 1880's ordinary, including riding to work on it, until I had a bad accident on it.

Gotta get off my lazy rear end and finish up my 1936 Columbia! Rode it all the time in the early fifties, need to do it again.

1953 Phantom:
http://www.trfindley.com/fl_bike_pages_pics/phanrest2.jpg


http://www.trfindley.com/pghlnd00.html

Wow...I'm amazed. The oldest bike I've seen anyone riding around Houston was a Schwinn that seemed to be one of those "green" army issue bikes made between 1942 and 1945. People are riding bikes made in 1890?? That's gonna be the winner I suspect.

I think we're all winners. :)

I have replaced (for purposes of just riding around) the original wheels of my 1952 J.A. Holland (which I acquired from sammyboy). It may only have 5 speeds, and I do need to fiddle with the dishing, spacing and chainline a little bit, but wow! - what a smooth and comfortable-riding bike. It climbs like nobody's business, and that even without toe clips.

I ride the blue bike more frequently than any other that I own. It only loosely fits into the “over fifty” category as only the frame, forks, headset, crank assembly, brake calipers and seat post are original (1947). This was how I bought it. Since correct vintage parts are hard to come by, I built it up using more modern parts that I thought would retain the character of upgrades that could have been made early in it’s life.

The red bike is, as far as I can tell, all original (also 1947), except for the tires, brake pads, bar tape and Brooks saddle (I have the original but don’t plan to ride on it much). This bike is a recent acquisition and my expectation is that I will ride it regularly once I’ve had a chance to perform some past due maintenance.

They are both Schwinn Continentals.

Regards,
Alan

Sianelle,
Do you have any better pictures of that bike? We have a Hercules Skyliner from that general period and would like to cross check some details. The Skyliner is a single speed freewheel ladies frame with rod brakes. We have been unable to pin down the date. Most of the clues point to the 50's.

Aaron:)

Here is picture right after it was rescued by Pastor Bob:
http://inlinethumb43.webshots.com/7274/2132725870066886751S425x425Q85.jpg (http://sports.webshots.com/photo/2132725870066886751TxQpPl)

Here's a link to a Hercules Catalogue I found - hope it helps a little :)

http://www.fattiretrading.com/herculescatalog.html

Here's a link to a Hercules Catalogue I found - hope it helps a little :)

http://www.fattiretrading.com/herculescatalog.html

Thanks Sianelle,
It lets me know that the bike is newer than a '39;):D I still suspect very late 40's early 50's. Interesting that they used to give the Herc's model letters rather than names. Kind of like some of the cars of the era.

Aaron:)

I've been riding my 1950 Norman 4 speed roadster 2-3 times a week.

http://bikesmithdesign.com/MyBikes/norman/norman.jpg

I'd like to find out more about the Norman roadsters. Last week I found that the seat post is significantly larger in diameter than the 1" posts used on Raleigh roadsters, suggesting much thinner tubing.

I didn't notice till I saw the photo that I should shorten the Raleigh chainguard, so it sits lower. The bike was in terrible shape when I got it from the original owner last year. He'd used it to lead AYH tours all over the US and Europe throughout the '50s and well into the '60s. At some point the fenders were replaced with some off a Schwinn, but I've been told they are even older than the bike.

BTW He's 79 and still rides his Peugeot PX-10 occasionally.

If this thread carries into next year, I'll be back with my 1958 RRA Moderne.

That's a really nice bike :) English roadsters are terrific everyday riding type bicycles; - I love my own ones too.

Raleigh was an absolutely huge bicycle manufacturer at one time and their factory in Nottingham was the size of a city suburb. They created their own standards for their bicycles which were different to other English manufacturers who followed the BCA (British Cycle Association) standards. The upshot of this is that almost all Raleigh stuff doesn't fit or interchange with other British bicycles.
Just to be confusing Raleigh eventually absorbed and took over many of the British makers and as a result quite a few of the mid to late 1950s and after makes such as Phillips, Hercules, Rudge & etc became to all intents and purposes Raleighs with detail differences and the appropriate headbadge.

Annie

I don't ride many of my oldies regularly, but I have a few. 1955 Corvette in possibly my least favorite Schwinn color. It just doesn't excite me much. I have a 39 Elgin Frame in the garage, that may never get built. It's old enough to have the sold steel bent rod seatpost. My favorite one is a 55 Columbia. It rides a lot like a motorcycle with pedals instead of an engine. I have a two speed automatic Sachs wheelset on it right now. Shifts all by itself, but unfortunately cannot be controlled. It stays in high gear anytime over about 10mph. If you want to downshift, you have to brake down until low catches. Kind of a PITA:D...,,,,BD

1955 Columbia

http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n267/Kustombyker/55Columbia.jpg

1939 Elgin

http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n267/Kustombyker/39elgin.jpg

1955 Corvette

http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n267/Kustombyker/55VetteGreen-1.jpg

I don't ride many of my oldies regularly, but I have a few. 1955 Corvette in possibly my least favorite Schwinn color. It just doesn't excite me much. I have a 39 Elgin Frame in the garage, that may never get built. It's old enough to have the sold steel bent rod seatpost. My favorite one is a 55 Columbia. It rides a lot like a motorcycle with pedals instead of an engine. I have a two speed automatic Sachs wheelset on it right now. Shifts all by itself, but unfortunately cannot be controlled. It stays in high gear anytime over about 10mph. If you want to downshift, you have to brake down until low catches. Kind of a PITA:D...,,,,BD

1955 Columbia

http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n267/Kustombyker/55Columbia.jpg


That tri-color paint scheme is pretty wild on that bike- looks nice.

I have to admit that the old ballooners are awesome when the road is just right for them. I'm not a fan of having to go up hills with the Henderson (the single speed is a very high gear ratio), but on a flat or downhill it's a blast. They're so cushy and smooth- especially if you have one with the old style leather Troxel spring saddle. The smoothest bike ride I've ever had was on the Henderson on a newly paved trail/road. It's a bit of shock going between that and my Raleigh Sports, but each has its own qualities and advantages.

The tri color is not intentional, the fenders came from a ladies bike in better shape. I believe they came in three colors. Blue/Cream, Green/Cream, and Burgundy/Cream. I'd love to drop one of those sprung Brooks saddles on it. That would make the tough pedaling worthwhile, hehe.,,,,BD

You're right though. As good as a steel lightweight rides, bumps are almost nonexistent on a 45 pound bike with 2.125 tires.:D

I think I have this picture thing figured out. here hopefully is my 1954 Sports. This is my daily rider.
http://i234.photobucket.com/albums/ee309/billlewis_photos/billz2006.jpg

If I want to go back in time, I enjoy riding my old Osgear bike. I place the frame in the late 40's (but could be earlier) and the Osgear is 1950.

The bike is quite light (22Lb) and well built and the Osgear is 4 speed and changes very reliably. The seat tube angle is 71 degrees and is very comfortable. It rides like a 1980's bike.

http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x300/garyf5354/DSC00508.jpg

I've got a Raleigh (fairly sure) Robin Hood 3speed internal hub sitting in the garage now with all original components. Need to figure out if it qualifies for this thread.

If I want to go back in time, I enjoy riding my old Osgear bike. I place the frame in the late 40's (but could be earlier) and the Osgear is 1950.

The bike is quite light (22Lb) and well built and the Osgear is 4 speed and changes very reliably. The seat tube angle is 71 degrees and is very comfortable. It rides like a 1980's bike.

http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x300/garyf5354/DSC00508.jpg

An Osgear Wow! - I dream of finding an old roadie fitted with an Osgear. You are sooooooo fortunate to own such a beautiful bicycle.:)