Royce Union Id.?
 

Greetings all!

First, let me say that I am really enjoying getting into the community here at BF. I have finally found a place to start indulging my very novice interest in classic and vintage bikes.

My son and I scored a Royce Union that we have no way of dating. I think it's a lot newer than it looks, but it's pretty cool. I'll post pics ASAP, but here's the serial number in case someone can help me out with any information on it.

It's red and white with fenders, a chain guard and a 3 speed hub.

S111 08

thanks in advance for your time and attention.

pics added
 

Here're some pics to help. Sorry for the terrible pic of the steerer tube. :)

Look at the rear hub, there should be a number stamped lightly that corrosponds to the month and year. I am guessing late 1960s or early 1970s, based on the style of cranks and stem.

Fastr Pastr,

Good to see you post over here. In my limited time here I've never seen anyone ask about a Royce Union. It is a very nice looking bike that someone took good care of. Good luck in finding out more. It has a "Off Label Raleigh" look to me. More imitation then me guessing that Raleigh would have made it for RU. I've seen an Armstrong (made by Raleigh) 3 speed that had the same paint style, saddle, and ridged fenders.

I tend to agree. Where was the frame manufactured? If it's a US Made frame, it's from the very late 60's to early 70's for sure Then Huffy bought the name. That looks like one of the early NY made RU's, and would place it in the range 69-74. The thing is, though, Pacific a'sp released the label "Sheffield" and RU as well, here a year or two back with a retro English three speed look, including a SA hub. They aren't bad bikes if that is what you have, by the way. If it's the Pacific version, it'll have a Taiwanese frame.

That said, the labeling looks like NY.

Got some more info...
 

Thanks for the posts and the warm welcome!

The rear hub is stamped 333 in very stylized numbers and underneath that it says "Three Speed Hub F" and below that it says USA PAT 3021728.

There are a couple different markings that say made in Japan.

Thanks again!

There's a rusty old ladies' RU down at the corner thrift, looks just like the one at the top of the thread. Looks as English as spotted dick; Williams lookalike chainwheel and all. The headbadge says 'Made in Japan'.

333 is a Shimano Hub. There was a post here a few months ago about different Shimano hub markings. They were not dated as specific as Sturmey-Archer, but it gets you in the ballpark. I think the large 333 is found on the earlier hubs.