Originally Posted by
photogravity
I just made my way to the man cave and the front wheel is 36 spokes with a Wald hub and, as you posited, the rear wheel has 36 spokes. So it's a 36/36 instead of the 32/40 as it would properly be. I'd like to have this ready for the 3-speed tour in May next year, but it's not a biggie if it isn't since I already have my Raleigh.
For now at least, I'll likely just keep the front wheel and put the Sturmey 3-speed wheel on it as I disassemble and clean the bike up.
Not ALL '50's 3 speeds were 32/40, but the bulk of them were. From the sounds of it the Herc has been "renovated" a few times. I am pretty sure those aren't the original handlebars, the chain guard is a crap shoot, I have seen chromed chain guards on bikes that you would have never thought they would be on and they were OEM. I would start perusing old Herc advertising and see what turns up.
I still have that 50's Skyliner that pastorbob rescued and we have yet to find it in a catalog.
Aaron
