Bikeforums.net is a forum about nothing but bikes. Our community can help you find information about hard-to-find and localized information like bicycle tours, specialties like where in your area to have your recumbent bike serviced, or what are the best bicycle tires and seats for the activities you use your bike for.Damon64
06-30-11, 11:43 PM
Hey all,
I've been meaning to post up pics of my bike for a while now and am finally gonna give it a go. The story of this bike began about 3-4 years ago. I read an ad about this bike on CL and the poster happened to also be a member of this forum. I didn't know that at the time.
I went down to Portland to pick it up (I live in a suburb south of Seattle) and drove home. The bike was in need of some restoration, which I was looking forward to doing. I actually found an old thread about this bike titled "Hercules!" -authored by Braingel, the person who sold it to me here on Bike Forums.
Anyways, I dismantled the bike and found that I was able to keep it pretty much original after cleaning, lubing and reassembling. I did have to replace the saddle using a Brooks B17 narrow. I also got hold of another brake lever and caliper for the other side. The rims were shot as well as the tires, so I had the hubs relaced to newer steel rims and wrapped them with new red rubber tires which was an option at the time for a Hercules racer.
I figured the bike needed some bling, so I added a bottle cage, alloy bottles, toolbag, a number plate that I distressed for that vintage look, a period correct pump, and some accessories such as the front petroleum lamp, rear taillight and bell all made by Jos. Lucas of Birmingham, England.
Hercules bicycles were made in Birmingham, so I fitted those extras from the era also made in Birmingham. I was able to date the bike from research in old catalogs and brochures that I have been able to get my hands on. I also was able to find some old paperwork from a dealer that dates from the late 20's that I made into a collage for display.
I have fun riding the bike and put together my own jersey for those vintage rides. I'll post more pics.
I've been meaning to post up pics of my bike for a while now and am finally gonna give it a go. The story of this bike began about 3-4 years ago. I read an ad about this bike on CL and the poster happened to also be a member of this forum. I didn't know that at the time.
I went down to Portland to pick it up (I live in a suburb south of Seattle) and drove home. The bike was in need of some restoration, which I was looking forward to doing. I actually found an old thread about this bike titled "Hercules!" -authored by Braingel, the person who sold it to me here on Bike Forums.
Anyways, I dismantled the bike and found that I was able to keep it pretty much original after cleaning, lubing and reassembling. I did have to replace the saddle using a Brooks B17 narrow. I also got hold of another brake lever and caliper for the other side. The rims were shot as well as the tires, so I had the hubs relaced to newer steel rims and wrapped them with new red rubber tires which was an option at the time for a Hercules racer.
I figured the bike needed some bling, so I added a bottle cage, alloy bottles, toolbag, a number plate that I distressed for that vintage look, a period correct pump, and some accessories such as the front petroleum lamp, rear taillight and bell all made by Jos. Lucas of Birmingham, England.
Hercules bicycles were made in Birmingham, so I fitted those extras from the era also made in Birmingham. I was able to date the bike from research in old catalogs and brochures that I have been able to get my hands on. I also was able to find some old paperwork from a dealer that dates from the late 20's that I made into a collage for display.
I have fun riding the bike and put together my own jersey for those vintage rides. I'll post more pics.