lance1a

Excuse my ignorance.....I just bought a few things, one is a Hercules bike. I know NOTHING about bikes at all as I restore cars instead. What I can tell you is that it has drum brakes front and rear, dyno on the rear wheel ( I assume a much later addition?) carrier with canvas saddle bags, what looks like the original saddle, gear change on the crossbar. Here's some pics to get a better idea......I did put it on ebay, but I'm really tempted to restore it for myself as the more I look at it the more I like it. My trouble is that living on a farm there isn't much place to ride it though I could do with the exercise for sure....
Anyone able to shed some light?
Many thanks.

Gary Fountain

Have a look at this website:

https://herculesmuseum.wordpress.com/...es-gents-bike/

My guess is that it might be a 30's model or perhaps 40's.

I don't know much about this vintage and style of bike but the rear hub but may possibly be identified and dated. I'm sure there are plenty of experts around that can do this. There is another website that may help:

https://www.classiclightweights.co.uk/

Although this site is mainly devoted to a more racing style bike.

Being a car restorer you know the drill - keep it as original as possible - maintain the patina.

lance1a

Many thanks for that. Sorry....I didn't realise this was a more racing bike oriented site.

Gary Fountain

This site not really a race bike oriented site (Classic lightweights is though) it's just that racing bikes represent good quality and many forum members like the quality and ride-ability of a racing bike. There are all sorts of interests represented here - you just happened to stumble on a person that is racing bike oriented.

There are few forum members looking at the forum at this time in the world - I think most members are asleep now.

Best of luck with your 'new' bike,

Gary.

ftwelder

That is a great find! Hercules was one of the two major brands built in Britain at the time. The drum brakes are somewhat rare. The brake housings hint at 1950's also but the head badge mentioning motorcycles could be earlier? My total guess is 1920's

Bicycles are either refurbished or restored. Refurbishment is often preferred because these things just aren't worth a lot of money at this point. Try a little copper wool with oil on the chrome and see how it comes around.

Here are two of mine from the same era. The second bike was far worse than yours when found and has only been cleaned and polished.


27 103 by barnstormerbikes, on Flickr


IMG_3843 by barnstormerbikes, on Flickr

randyjawa 

Restoring bicycles is a very natural extension from restoring cars. It is just easier to do thanks to the lighter weights.

To that allow me to welcome you to the forum and, if bringing that lovely old Hercules (what a cool name for a bike) back to life is in your future, you might benefit from a website intended to help new comers get a head start on their projects.

I keep meaning to go back and pick up this lovely old Hercules I passed on last year. The price, incidentally, was free...





Hope this is a help.

lance1a

Thanks for the info guys.....I'm really tempted to sort it out, even if it means having to use it around the village and shed some kilos.

Grand Bois

And lower cost!

rhm

Clean up the hubs; you will probably find the name Sturmey Archer and maybe a date code or two, which will be a few months earlier than the rest of the bike.

Do you know about oxalic acid? I think you're going to be needing some.... Since you're new to our forum, I'll point out that the 'search' function is terrible, but you can get around it by searching in google, and restricting the results to this forum. You'll want to research hub brakes, cottered cranks, oxalic acid... for a start.

Should be a lovely bike when you're done! Congratulations, and good luck!