A old hercules bike
03-14-09, 01:34 PM
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A old hercules bike
Hello,
Just wondered if anyone might know anything about this old hercules bike.
Its badge says hercules birmingham england it is a ladies single speed and is old but I dont know how old it was my mothers and i know it is at least 40 years old but i think it could be a lot older.
It has the following stamped on the frame 12918yn and in very faint small letters JD cross and sons made in england is stamped on the hub? sorry dont know much about bikes!
I has had some work done over the years and a new saddle was fitted but I think it is mainly original although I think it has also had new wheels at some time in the past.
Would really like to know a bit more about it if anyone can help. thanks
Just wondered if anyone might know anything about this old hercules bike.
Its badge says hercules birmingham england it is a ladies single speed and is old but I dont know how old it was my mothers and i know it is at least 40 years old but i think it could be a lot older.
It has the following stamped on the frame 12918yn and in very faint small letters JD cross and sons made in england is stamped on the hub? sorry dont know much about bikes!
I has had some work done over the years and a new saddle was fitted but I think it is mainly original although I think it has also had new wheels at some time in the past.
Would really like to know a bit more about it if anyone can help. thanks
03-16-09, 05:44 AM
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bump for a pom
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Recommended reading for all cyclists - Cyclecraft - Effective Cycling
Condor Cycles - quite possibly the best bike shop in London
Don't run red lights, wear a helmet, use hand signals, get some cycle lights(front and rear) and, FFS, don't run red lights!
shameless POWERCRANK plug
Recommended reading for all cyclists - Cyclecraft - Effective Cycling
Condor Cycles - quite possibly the best bike shop in London
Don't run red lights, wear a helmet, use hand signals, get some cycle lights(front and rear) and, FFS, don't run red lights!
03-16-09, 06:13 AM
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Probably get more of a response with photos. Otherwise....
03-16-09, 07:09 AM
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Welcome to C&V. Are you a fellow clergy person? Does it look anything like this one?
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Enjoying the GA coast all year long!
Thanks for visiting my website: www.freewheelspa.com
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Enjoying the GA coast all year long!
Thanks for visiting my website: www.freewheelspa.com
03-16-09, 02:25 PM
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old hercules bike
Thanks for replys so far please see attached photos. I hope someone can tell me some thing about this bike. I would really like to know how old it is etc. thanks
03-16-09, 07:44 PM
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There are a few more pictures in my albums.
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ISO: A late 1980's Giant Iguana MTB frameset (or complete bike) 23" Red with yellow graphics.
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Webshots is bailing out, if you find any of my posts with corrupt picture files and want to see them corrected please let me know. :(
ISO: A late 1980's Giant Iguana MTB frameset (or complete bike) 23" Red with yellow graphics.
"Cycling should be a way of life, not a hobby.
RIDE, YOU FOOL, RIDE!"_Nicodemus
"Steel: nearly a thousand years of metallurgical development
Aluminum: barely a hundred
Which one would you rather have under your butt at 30mph?"_krazygluon
03-16-09, 11:36 PM
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That one might be pre-Raleigh, the fender eyelet looks like it is on top of the drop out. Looks like maybe it got repainted at some point, I would expect a white patch on the fender and maybe some pin-stripes. I know the Hercules hubs are re-branded, but there may be a date code stamped into the rear hub shell.
Cool bike, I really like the look of the rod brakes.
Matt
Cool bike, I really like the look of the rod brakes.
Matt
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03-17-09, 01:27 AM
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hercules bike
A few more photos. The only numbers i can see are 12918yn on the frame and the words jd cross and sons made in england deluxe bs is stamped on the hub. the head badge says hercules birmingham england.
I know it has had some work done over the years but nothing in the last 20 years or so. I think it may have been repainted a long time ago as the black paint is coming off in places and you can see green paint underneath. the saddle has been replaced and possibly the wheels too, but i think most of it is original apart from that.
I would like to know how old it is and if it may be worth anything (In England)
I dont know much about bikes and it is just rusting away in a shed so if its worth it would like it to go to someone who would be able to restore it and use it. Sorry the photos are not great. Thanks for your help
I know it has had some work done over the years but nothing in the last 20 years or so. I think it may have been repainted a long time ago as the black paint is coming off in places and you can see green paint underneath. the saddle has been replaced and possibly the wheels too, but i think most of it is original apart from that.
I would like to know how old it is and if it may be worth anything (In England)
I dont know much about bikes and it is just rusting away in a shed so if its worth it would like it to go to someone who would be able to restore it and use it. Sorry the photos are not great. Thanks for your help
03-17-09, 03:04 AM
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Worth can mean a few things. Dollar wise it is not worth a whole lot, women's frames are always less valuable too, the rod brakes may add some value though, your bike is also missing the chain guard. You may be able to carefully remove the top layer of paint to expose the original with some acetone. I would say this bike is still worth fixing up because it is both cool and rugged.
I sold this womens Norman 3 speed in nice condition for 100.00 to give you a comparison:
I sold this womens Norman 3 speed in nice condition for 100.00 to give you a comparison:
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|_..._..._______===|=||_|__|..., ] -
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|^^^^^^^^^^^^^^| ||
|......GO.BROWNS........| ||'|";, ___.
|_..._..._______===|=||_|__|..., ] -
"(@)'(@)"""''"**|(@)(@)*****''(@)
03-17-09, 09:55 AM
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My early '50s Hercules was black and had the "Hercumatic" trigger shifter and rear hub. They were obviously made by SA. The rear hub did NOT have a date stamp. This bike was bought for me brand new when I was a kid. Are you sure the trigger and hub were not changed?
03-17-09, 10:17 AM
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Thanks for replys so far. The bike was my mothers and was given to her 40 years ago and it was not new then. I know it had some work done ie new saddle wheels and tyres, but thats all I can remember. It has not been painted while mum owned it but must have been before that. mum is no longer with us so cant ask her about it. I do remember it used to have a wicker basket on the front but thats been lost.I also think it used to have a leather pouch type bag strapped to the back of the saddle but thats also gone. Sorry I dont know much about bikes or all the names of parts etc exept for the obvious ones frame handlebars etc. its been in a shed for about twenty years so i know nothing has been done to it in that time. I thought from reading some posts on here that there might be a way of telling how old it is from the frame numbers??
Would be gratefull for any info on it thanks
Would be gratefull for any info on it thanks
03-20-09, 12:13 PM
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Considering the badge is not brass, and it's in Birmingham, and not Nottingham, I'm guessing this bike is post WW2, up until 1962ish. I've heard mention that brass badges on Hercules were used prior to WW2 (although there have been stories that they have been used later, there's no mention of non-brass head badges used earlier that I know of). Raliegh moved production of Hercules from Birgmingham to Nottingham, and there are reports that the name change on the bikes occured 1962ish. As far as I know, there's no way to tell the age of a Hercules from it's serial number. As far as what it's worth, I've seen many bikes similar to this sell for $75 - $100 US.
05-12-09, 01:35 PM
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another puzzeling hercules
I have a Hercules with a 5 speed drive train/Huret Allvit derailleur. Cannot find a serial or frame number anywhere! No name brakes (sidepull) with Bulljohn brake pads on the front. The rims say sturmy archer on them.....anyway I can date this bike? Pics to follow...
05-12-09, 01:59 PM
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You cannot date this bikes, but you can haz cheezburger.
Bishop-
Did you carefully clean (e.g. with some detergent or wd40 and a toothbrush) the rear hub shell to look for a date? In any case, what markings can you make out on the shell?
Eric
Bishop-
Did you carefully clean (e.g. with some detergent or wd40 and a toothbrush) the rear hub shell to look for a date? In any case, what markings can you make out on the shell?
Eric
05-18-09, 04:02 AM
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FINALLY found a serial #....very faint on the seat post lug. '2194536' Both hubs just have the heron symbol on them. Also stamped on the bar stem; but very small. The badge says nottingham/ so @ least post 1960. Tires look to be original Bates Dunlop/and still rideable! Did Huret use date codes like suntour used to? I'm wondering weather to up grade it or leave it alone.
