FS: 1955 Hercules Tourist 3-Speed Kid's Bike
01-27-16, 01:20 AM
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FS: 1955 Hercules Tourist 3-Speed Kid's Bike
For sale is a vintage 1955 Hercules 3-speed child's bike.
Purchased to restore, this bicycle has been waiting long enough and reality tells me it's time to move on. The condition of this bike is such that a restoration could easily be undertaken with everything still complete and operational as it came from the factory.
The tires are the original 24" Dunlop Champions. The 3-speed Hercules hub (identical to the Sturmey-Archer), with matching "Her-Cu-Matic" shifter work as they should, the Brooks vinyl saddle still has loads of life, the headbadge shines like justice, the box lining is still quite present and by freshening up the pads, the brakes would be ready to go another few decades.
Or, don't touch anything and keep the honesty of its wear as-is.
Seat Tube = 46cm (measured C-T)
Top Tube = 49cm (measured C-C)
Sorry, I don't want to ship this one (yet??). I'd like to keep it a local sale.
Price: $125 for my C&V familia.
Purchased to restore, this bicycle has been waiting long enough and reality tells me it's time to move on. The condition of this bike is such that a restoration could easily be undertaken with everything still complete and operational as it came from the factory.
The tires are the original 24" Dunlop Champions. The 3-speed Hercules hub (identical to the Sturmey-Archer), with matching "Her-Cu-Matic" shifter work as they should, the Brooks vinyl saddle still has loads of life, the headbadge shines like justice, the box lining is still quite present and by freshening up the pads, the brakes would be ready to go another few decades.
Or, don't touch anything and keep the honesty of its wear as-is.
Seat Tube = 46cm (measured C-T)
Top Tube = 49cm (measured C-C)
Sorry, I don't want to ship this one (yet??). I'd like to keep it a local sale.
Price: $125 for my C&V familia.
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The Simplicity of Vintage Cycles
The Simplicity of Vintage Cycles
Last edited by The Thin Man; 05-31-16 at 02:00 PM.
01-27-16, 06:55 AM
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What a beauty! What size rider was it made for?
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01-27-16, 10:31 AM
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What 24" size are the tires?
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01-27-16, 06:08 PM
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Good question. There were 2 Dunlop 24" tyres for Brit bikes, 24 x 1 3/8 for endrick rims and 24 X 1 1/2" for Westwood rims that was minutely smaller. I don't have an erto size for them but I'm sure they're tough to find.
There was a 3rd Dunlop size for Canadian bikes, also marked 24 X 1 1/2 but it was even smaller than the above.
There was a 3rd Dunlop size for Canadian bikes, also marked 24 X 1 1/2 but it was even smaller than the above.
01-27-16, 07:50 PM
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That looks an awful lot lik the Norman built western flyer that I had! The lugs, chrome tip and ribs on the fenders, the box lining, same chain guard and logo on the guard.
Did Norman by any chance build for Hercules? Or maybe they just copied each other?
Did Norman by any chance build for Hercules? Or maybe they just copied each other?
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01-28-16, 01:28 AM
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Good questions, everyone. I'll do my best to answer.
Clubman got it. The Dunlop Champion tires are 24" x 1-3/8".
For sizing, the C-T measurement for the seat tube is 45.72cm and the C-C measurement for the top tube is 48cm. I'll let you determine what size rider that would accommodate.
It really is a great little bike but I've had it years now and I just can't seem to find time for it. I really hope I can get this into the hands of someone that will do it the justice it deserves.
Clubman got it. The Dunlop Champion tires are 24" x 1-3/8".
For sizing, the C-T measurement for the seat tube is 45.72cm and the C-C measurement for the top tube is 48cm. I'll let you determine what size rider that would accommodate.
It really is a great little bike but I've had it years now and I just can't seem to find time for it. I really hope I can get this into the hands of someone that will do it the justice it deserves.
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The Simplicity of Vintage Cycles
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01-28-16, 08:57 AM
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I'm sure Norman outsourced things like lugs, fenders, chainguards, cranks, &c, even the ones that were marked 'Norman.' They almost certainly came from the same factory as the ones used by Hercules; whether that was the Hercules factory or not, I don't know. Pretty sure it was in Birmingham, though.
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02-17-16, 01:36 AM
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Surprisingly, still available!
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The Simplicity of Vintage Cycles
The Simplicity of Vintage Cycles
03-11-16, 11:25 AM
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I haven't been very active/motivated on selling this little Hercules. It must have been the winter...
Now that spring is in the air, I wanted to update the thread as this bike is still available.
Now that spring is in the air, I wanted to update the thread as this bike is still available.
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03-11-16, 11:35 AM
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I love the tubing sticker and the head badge. The bike has a lot of really nice details.
03-30-16, 04:56 PM
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I hope it finds an appreciative rider. That's what it deserves.
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New York City and High Falls, NY
Blogs: The Experienced Cyclist; noglider's ride blog
“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments.” — Elizabeth West, US author
Please email me rather than PM'ing me. Thanks.
Tom Reingold, tom@noglider.com
New York City and High Falls, NY
Blogs: The Experienced Cyclist; noglider's ride blog
“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments.” — Elizabeth West, US author
Please email me rather than PM'ing me. Thanks.
03-30-16, 05:07 PM
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I've kept an eye on that one. Didn't know it was you who was selling. I figured it was too small for me but it sure is pretty.
03-30-16, 11:46 PM
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It is certainly too small for you. Although it doesn't look too small in the photos, when you see it in person, it is clear it was made for a child.
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05-14-16, 10:33 AM
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** FINAL PRICE DROP **
$125
Guys, I can't go any lower. Help a fella make some space for more bike storage, will ya?!
$125
Guys, I can't go any lower. Help a fella make some space for more bike storage, will ya?!
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The Simplicity of Vintage Cycles
The Simplicity of Vintage Cycles
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