1972 Hurcules
 

HI, I'm a new guy here. Recently got back into bicycling for the first time since I was a teenager. Creeping up on 40 now, so I figure it's time to get back into shape. I've always liked the classic English Light Roadster style bicycles that my father had when I was a kid, so I decided to get one for myself. Getting out and getting some exercise with this old machine has been a real blast. I've been trying to spend at least 45 minutes most every day on it. Getting stronger and faster every day. I did swap out the saddle for a modern Bontager that is a little more freindly to my backside. No hard metal pan under the foam like the Messinger that's on it in the pic. This is how it looked the day I got it. I've since cleaned it up a bit more, and repositioned the chainguard as it looked awkward to me where it was. I'm loving this old bike. Just thougth I'd share. Does anyone know the name of this particular model Hurcules? Some of the decals are missing.

http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c3...0/IMG_0317.jpg

http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c3...0/IMG_0310.jpg

I can't tell you much about the bike (I'm sure others here can), but I am pretty sure that's an aftermarket chainguard.

It looks great! I believe they were still made by Raleigh in the early '70s. A few posters have Hercules and they should be able to help you. They certainly are good exercise. Way to go Mike!

Thanks, Yes, it seems as if it's pretty much the same, or at least very similar to a Raleigh Sports. It's a Notingham England bike. The chainguard is definitly aftermarket, but looks decent enough now that it's positioned more where it should be.

Both the chainguard and (I think) the saddle were aftermarket replacements. Hercules, Robin Hood, Triumph and several others were made by and essentually the same as the Raleigh Sports, although the forks were different than the Sports-- flat crown vs. the funny pipe thing.

If you are interested in originality or something more appropriate than the Bontrager saddle, you could put on a sprung, leather Brooks saddle.

I was looking around for a Brooks B 66, but found the Bontrager for short money, and it works very well. Not real concerned about originality, as it's being used every day for exercise. More concerned with function than anything right now.