Late 50s Hercules Tourist
11-19-18, 11:07 AM
#28
Senior Member
It can be tedious. Try warming them with a hair dryer. That works on stickers than aren't decades old... Might be enough to get you started. At that point you will likely need to use a mild solvent like Goof Off or WD40, and a not too sharp tool like a sharpened popsicle stick.
Glad to hear the shop successfully straightened the fork. AFA 3 speed vs 1 speed, I vote for 3 speed. But I know how to build wheels and don't have to pay someone to do it either. One speed could be fun too. It's up to you.
11-19-18, 02:11 PM
#29
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Thread Starter
It can be tedious. Try warming them with a hair dryer. That works on stickers than aren't decades old... Might be enough to get you started. At that point you will likely need to use a mild solvent like Goof Off or WD40, and a not too sharp tool like a sharpened popsicle stick.
Glad to hear the shop successfully straightened the fork. AFA 3 speed vs 1 speed, I vote for 3 speed. But I know how to build wheels and don't have to pay someone to do it either. One speed could be fun too. It's up to you.
Glad to hear the shop successfully straightened the fork. AFA 3 speed vs 1 speed, I vote for 3 speed. But I know how to build wheels and don't have to pay someone to do it either. One speed could be fun too. It's up to you.
Yeah it’s going to be a decision. I suppose I need to find the stem first then figure out direction to go with the speed.
11-20-18, 08:19 AM
#30
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Hercules serial numbers.
Nice old Hercules. It's a fixer upper, but has potential. Please note that the forks are bent from a front end collision. With a bike like this, the steel is usually thick and ductile enough that they can simply be bent back. There are various tricks to doing it. For safety's sake, inspect carefully for bulges and cracks.
IMO keep the hotrodding limited to new wheels with alloy rims, maybe an alloy bar and stem. Put a dynohub and lights on it if you really want to get trick. A Brooks would be nice but it might cost more than the bike. It's a quality bike, but it's a quality utility bike. I'm way into hot rod 3 speeds and encourage this project, but be sensible.
Changing the crankset to something modern will do zero for performance, and severely reduce the charm of the bike.
IMO keep the hotrodding limited to new wheels with alloy rims, maybe an alloy bar and stem. Put a dynohub and lights on it if you really want to get trick. A Brooks would be nice but it might cost more than the bike. It's a quality bike, but it's a quality utility bike. I'm way into hot rod 3 speeds and encourage this project, but be sensible.
Changing the crankset to something modern will do zero for performance, and severely reduce the charm of the bike.
Having said the VCC website has an incredible selection of dated Hercules catalogues - your bike will definitely be depicted.
Hercules in its heyday made more bicycles than Raleigh - mostly for export across the globe.
11-20-18, 02:28 PM
#31
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You can often find Hercules 3 speed hubs at co-op/donation bike shops for as little as $5.00. The shifter is harder but you can use a Sturmey shifter until one shows up.
I'd go with a Sturmey Archer myself- just so I'm not limited by the rear sprocket size. Plenty of those around for $5.00 too. I would not throw out the pedals even though they are bent. If you even come across another set, the first set might be useful for parts. Alternatively, MKS makes block pedals but they get good money for them.
I'd go with a Sturmey Archer myself- just so I'm not limited by the rear sprocket size. Plenty of those around for $5.00 too. I would not throw out the pedals even though they are bent. If you even come across another set, the first set might be useful for parts. Alternatively, MKS makes block pedals but they get good money for them.
12-09-18, 11:45 AM
#32
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I was searching for a women's parts bike this week for my project bike when I found a completely mechanically restored 1951 Hercules! Of course I had to buy it! It was almost completely original when he got it and even has the original seat on it. The grips and pedals were changed sometime in its life. When I bought it I was able to also buy some parts for my project and some old black grips to put on it. I'm planning on riding it so I'll set the original seat aside and put a black Brooks on it. He's going to keep an eye out for a parts bike for my project.
12-10-18, 12:37 AM
#33
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I was searching for a women's parts bike this week for my project bike when I found a completely mechanically restored 1951 Hercules! Of course I had to buy it! It was almost completely original when he got it and even has the original seat on it. The grips and pedals were changed sometime in its life. When I bought it I was able to also buy some parts for my project and some old black grips to put on it. I'm planning on riding it so I'll set the original seat aside and put a black Brooks on it. He's going to keep an eye out for a parts bike for my project.
12-10-18, 07:09 AM
#34
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Nice find! I browsed the catalogs at VCC and found this New Yorker in the 1957 catalog. Chrome mudguards are listed as an option. Similar paint. Wouldn't it be something else to find one of these. Love the 2 tone chainguard with the dart motif on the frame. Nobody makes saddle bags contoured away for sprung saddles anymore. The best I could come up with for my Rudge was a canvas bag that is soft enough bend around the springs.
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12-10-18, 07:55 AM
#35
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Nice find! I browsed the catalogs at VCC and found this New Yorker in the 1957 catalog. Chrome mudguards are listed as an option. Similar paint. Wouldn't it be something else to find one of these. Love the 2 tone chainguard with the dart motif on the frame. Nobody makes saddle bags contoured away for sprung saddles anymore. The best I could come up with for my Rudge was a canvas bag that is soft enough bend around the springs.
That bike above would be an awesome find.
12-10-18, 10:42 AM
#36
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In the thread “For love of English 3 speeds” I wrote how I think it’s a 1953. The hub is a 1953 and the paint scheme matches what was done in 53. The mudguards sure look original to the bike but I suppose there is no way of knowing.
That bike above would be an awesome find.
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12-17-18, 12:55 AM
#37
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Mine came with the original bag and a set of white celluloid guards that were very beaten up
06-11-20, 08:04 PM
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I have a hercules tourist and I am trying to post a picture to see what year it is, but it says I need 10 replies before I can post:-( it has like a bird and cursive writing that says hercules and a orange and blue metal emblem
also says b type 3
56ford looks like mine except idk what your emblem looks like
also says b type 3
56ford looks like mine except idk what your emblem looks like
Last edited by Blueeyez; 06-11-20 at 08:31 PM.
12-29-20, 11:26 PM
#39
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Bikes: 1936 Raleigh Sports Tourists, 1952 Raleigh, 1957 Raleigh, 1963 Raleigh Dawn Tourist, 1953 Hercules Tourist, 1953 Hercules Royal Prince, 1953 Hercules Windsor, 1958 Bianchi Sport & 1960 Bianchi Sport
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Your Hercules Tourist was manufactured in 1953 or latter. The bike was originally available in black or burgandy and came with white spikes on both the horizontal top frame and the 45 degree sloping portion of the front frame.
The hard to find parts for this bike are the (1953) B type 3 Hercumatic 3 speed rear hub, the Her-cu-matic 3 speed shifter and the scripted rubber pedal blocks. A scripted Hercules kickstand was available and currently, is very difficult to find.
Currently, I am looking to replace my badly bent Hercules front fork and I am also looking for a nice Dunlop 40 hole EA3 rear rim. If you are interested in selling me any of your damaged parts, I may be interested.
The hard to find parts for this bike are the (1953) B type 3 Hercumatic 3 speed rear hub, the Her-cu-matic 3 speed shifter and the scripted rubber pedal blocks. A scripted Hercules kickstand was available and currently, is very difficult to find.
Currently, I am looking to replace my badly bent Hercules front fork and I am also looking for a nice Dunlop 40 hole EA3 rear rim. If you are interested in selling me any of your damaged parts, I may be interested.
Last edited by usarnie1; 12-29-20 at 11:51 PM.
01-03-21, 08:08 PM
#41
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Thread Starter
I have a hercules tourist and I am trying to post a picture to see what year it is, but it says I need 10 replies before I can post:-( it has like a bird and cursive writing that says hercules and a orange and blue metal emblem
also says b type 3
56ford looks like mine except idk what your emblem looks like
also says b type 3
56ford looks like mine except idk what your emblem looks like
Update on my red one! (the one I started this thread on) I now have proper time period correct hubs. Thanks to RMH I now have a 1954 Hercules hub (B Type 4) and what I think is a March 1955 SA dynohub. I was holding out until I found the correct period hubs before moving forward with it. Just waiting for CR18 rims to come available...
01-04-21, 04:43 PM
#44
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Bikes: 1936 Raleigh Sports Tourists, 1952 Raleigh, 1957 Raleigh, 1963 Raleigh Dawn Tourist, 1953 Hercules Tourist, 1953 Hercules Royal Prince, 1953 Hercules Windsor, 1958 Bianchi Sport & 1960 Bianchi Sport
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01-04-21, 07:26 PM
#45
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I’ll think about it. I’ve been thinking about straightening them up and using them. Back when I first got the bike I figured I was missing so many of the original parts I wouldn’t restore to period correct. I’m currently leaning toward using all 50s stuff but also thinking new rat traps would be nice...
01-04-21, 07:27 PM
#46
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01-04-21, 08:32 PM
#47
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Just though I would jump in with pics of my 53 tourist. I always wondered if the chrome mudguards were original.
I think I have an original chainguard.
I think I have an original chainguard.
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01-04-21, 09:19 PM
#48
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bluesteak thats a fantastic ‘53! With the both of us having chrome mudguards it helps give reinforcement that they are originals. It sure looks like you have an original chainguard. Wish my red one was that straight but at least I have one. I have no idea what “model” my ‘53 is cause my head badge is just the “H”. I wish my transfers were in the shape yours are.
What’s your red one in the background? Later 50s?
What’s your red one in the background? Later 50s?
Last edited by 56ford; 01-04-21 at 09:22 PM.
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