Hi I've recently come across a standard cycle co ltd birmingham bike and was wanting to find out more information about it such as model number and age. Is there anybody that can help me? Many thanks callum

The Standard Cycle company dates back to at least 1896 and were still operation at least as late as 1962. Many British models used Sturmey-Archer hubs and/or Williams cranksets. These had date codes, which is often the easiest method to date less popular marques.

I can see some numbers on the rear hub that looks like 267. Also possibly says an s on it and Germany. Hard to tell though until fully cleaned as it has quite abit of rust on it at the minute. Also there is a number stamped on the frame which looks like 1288 but not sure if there's another number in front. Again without fully cleaning hard to tell. Many thanks callum

I found your pictures. My general impression is inter-war, though it could date into the 1950s. The saddle and pedals look like later replacements. A German hub would likely be a Fitchel and Sachs Torpedo, though I wouldn't expect it to be OEM on a British make of this apparent era. F&S used an open format, two character date code stamped on the hub shell up until the very late 1950s. That crankset looks like it could be a Williams. Sample of Wiillams' symbol with code (1936) and chart attached , along with photo of you bicycle for other members,