Looking for Information About Pre-Raleigh Hercules
 

I've had this bike hanging in my garage for several years waiting for its turn to get worked on. I bought this as sort of a favor to a friend who thought it would go to the dump if I didn't take it. I really haven't paid much attention to it, assuming that it was just a Raleigh Sports with a different name. Since I already have several three-speed Raleighs, I kind of put it out of my mind.

Something about this bike made me take another look at it today and I've decided that it's definitely pre-Raleigh, but I don't know how long pre-Raleigh. It has a Hercules hub with text reading "B Type 6, Manufactured by Hercules Cycle & Motor Co., Birmingham, England". Does the "6" mean 1956?

Anyway, here are some pictures of this bike and anything you can tell me about it would be greatly appreciated.


https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...8cd91d2c66.jpg
https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...e37863a38d.jpg
https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...b086979898.jpg
https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...16a8acce73.jpg
https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...2ababf09da.jpg
https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...c269fee9ac.jpg

The hub coding would indicate 1956, as per this article: https://hadland.files.wordpress.com/...rcules-3-1.pdf

Beautiful bike in excellent condition! Though that seat is, um, interesting!

Thanks very much, that article is a great resource and one I hadn't seen.

Yes, the current saddle is an eyesore and the one "working" thing that's going to get replaced, probably with a Brooks B66. When this bike gets to the top of the queue, I'll post a thread on the project. I'm slightly concerned about finding a compatible shifter cable and the frame pump is missing a hose, but other than that it should be a pretty straightforward job.

Tony Hadland's blog, website and book(s) are excellent English 3 speed references..... I managed after a few years of searching to get his book on SA (at considerable expense, at least to me). I have gotten hours of pleasure from its contents though.

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thanks so much for sharing this find with the forum, pre-TI examples are always the more interesting

you are most fortunate that it is so complete, all original and without damage

frame appears as though it may be constructed of all Brampton bits: lugs, crown, shell, ends, bridges

Hercules made extensive use of this crown for a long period, it is most commonly encountered with a cap as here

the underside of the bottom bracket shell will probably exhibit a two or three character raised marking in its centre
if present, this is not a serial but a stock number from Brampton indicating the specific model of shell

the Miller lighting kit is period correct. they made a change in the design of the tail lamp ~1957 so this was about the final year for this design. if it did not come with the cycle ex-works it may have been mounted at the time of sale.


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A replacement SA cable will work. The hub is a Sturmey Archer design licensed to Hercules. I love my Hercules Lion and I have three more. The geometry is like a Raleigh Tourist very relaxed.

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the Veteran Cycle Club of the UK is a good resource for Hercules information

https://v-cc.org.uk/

it is necesary to join to gain access to their archive of materials

they do have what is termed a "marque enthusiast" (M.E.) specifically for Hercules

there is an extensive holding of catalogues and brochures

unfortunately the years 1956-1957-1958 constitute a lacunae in their holdings

if you search online for information you will quickly discover that there is an unrelated Hercules marque based in Germany

if that be not eno' thar be a third Hercules cycle marque based upon the shores o' the subcontinent

there is an enthusiast Hercules site here you may have already discovered

https://herculesmuseum.wordpress.com/

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forgot to mention above -

Hercules was a sponsor of the British cycling champion and record holder Eileen Sheridan

here is a catalogue page of 1953 showing her signature model -

https://thecabe.com/forum/attachment...e-jpg.1490412/

[offered only one year]

here is a manufacturer price list from 1952 -

https://thecabe.com/forum/attachment...e-jpg.1490413/

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