Originally Posted by
Bandera
Functionally, not much.
Aesthetically: better QC, paint, finish, parts plating, saddle, grips and name badge.
Check the spoke count for re-build. 32H FR, 40H RR was the earlier spec but that changed in some "boom era" bikes.
An AW w/ the metal oil flip-cap is way cooler than plastic, bring a magnet as the Humber may have the very desirable alloy hub shell.
Check the brakes for the proprietary fixed cable ends, you can mfg a workable substitute but they are rare & expensive and a fiddle to work with.
Does either have a proper Brooks B-72/66 leather saddle?
-Bandera
This is kind of what I guessed; thanks for the info. Neither bike has a proper saddle so that's a cost I'll need to incur on top of the bike. Good to know about the alloy hub shell and yeah finding 40/32 alloy rims can be a problem (mine are 36 hole so probably won't work on either bike). It's amazing what a financial rabbit hole an old bike can be if you decide to soup it up,
.