How old is this Hercules
3 Attachment(s)
A guy on my local CL is selling this Hercules for $150. Way too much if you ask me. Anyway, I would like to know around when it was made. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.
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I can't tell from the pics if it's a pre-Raleigh(1960) or not but $150 seems awfully high.
Don't worry; the experts should be here shortly. In the meantime, check out the rear hub. There should be a date stamped on it. I believe the older ones had it right below the name or maybe to the left. I don't see the Sturmey-Archer gear shifter on the handlebars. Is there a little chain attached to the right side of the rear hub, possibly a cable attached to that and running along the frame? Can you read Nottingham anywhere on the frame or below the Hercules on the headbadge or seattube? If so, then it's a Raleigh and definitely not worth $150. The bike is also missing the chainguard. Hercules A division of B.C.C. until merged with Raleigh as part of the TI takeover in 1960, Hercules was a major competitor of Raleigh, with a strong sporting image. They sponsored popular racers, most partiuclarly Ken Joy and Eileen Sheridan. Hercules made their own 3-speed hubs, which were pretty-much identical to the older Sturmey-Archer AW. Hercules hubs continued to use threaded drivers long after Stumrmey-Archer abandoned them. Raleigh-built "AMF-Hercules" models are fairly common. They were distributed by AMF (American Machine & Foundry.) Somebody restored their Hercules http://www.madeinbirmingham.org/hercules.htm |
Originally Posted by bbattle
(Post 5530647)
The bike is also missing the chainguard.
http://home.mchsi.com/~bhufford4/40herc09b.jpg Bob |
Originally Posted by BobHufford
(Post 5530787)
See, I knew the experts would show up. So, it could be that model "F" on the far right of the brochure? OP, is the chainring cutout with the name Hercules? Bob, what's the date of the brochure? Is the bike worth $150? If two trains are heading to Toledo, with one train going 25mph and the other....... |
$10 tops as is. The guy's a nut bag. The bike is junk, and there are many missing parts.
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Thanks for the help. It's tough finding info about Hercules bicycles on the web. The Science and Society Picture Library (http://www.scienceandsociety.co.uk/) has some photos of employees at the Hercules factory in the 1930s. My biggest problem with this bicycle is the head badge. If I knew what they looked like over the years, I might be able to date the bike.
Here's a bit more info. The seller (apparently a retired bike shop owner) says it dates from around WWII and has a Sturmey Archer hub. Wasn't Hercules using their own Hercumatic hubs and shifters at that time? I haven't asked about the chainring or the date on the hub yet, but I will (I always forget to ask the obvious questions). The seller lives over an hour away, so I haven't seen it in person. Also, I don't really want to make the trip unless I'm pretty sure I want to buy it. I haven't tried to haggle over the price yet, but he's listed it at least twice before so he might sell it on the cheap. Bob - What is the URL to your homepage? Do you have any other vintage catalogs or brochures? |
Older than the ones that I have seen, but in much worse condition.
I'd try to really talk them down if you're interested, $75 tops. |
Hercumatic was just rebadged Sturmey-Archer.
Since it has a hub, ask for the serial numbers on the hub. That'll give you the date of the hub. But as I said earlier, I didn't see a shift cable or shifter. I bought a Raleigh Ltd.-3, a very similar bike, for $10 plus $50 in shipping, off eBay. Looked a whole lot better than that Hercules. I'd pass on this bike. |
Originally Posted by bbattle
(Post 5532287)
Hercumatic was just rebadged Sturmey-Archer.
Since it has a hub, ask for the serial numbers on the hub. That'll give you the date of the hub. But as I said earlier, I didn't see a shift cable or shifter. I bought a Raleigh Ltd.-3, a very similar bike, for $10 plus $50 in shipping, off eBay. Looked a whole lot better than that Hercules. I'd pass on this bike. |
That looks like a single speed, or perhaps a 3-speed with a missing shifter cable/shifter.
I've never seen a Hercules head badge like that however...definitely older than 1965, and I can not make out the "HERCULES" in the chain ring. |
Originally Posted by bbattle
(Post 5531586)
Bob, what's the date of the brochure? Is the bike worth $150?
Originally Posted by Traquair
(Post 5531945)
The seller (apparently a retired bike shop owner) says it dates from around WWII and has a Sturmey Archer hub. Wasn't Hercules using their own Hercumatic hubs and shifters at that time? I haven't asked about the chainring or the date on the hub yet, but I will (I always forget to ask the obvious questions).
Bob - What is the URL to your homepage? Do you have any other vintage catalogs or brochures? I don't have a web site. These brochures are here: http://www.geocities.com/lightweight...9/39rdlw1.html http://www.geocities.com/lightweight...9/39rdss1.html http://www.geocities.com/lightweight...0/40rdlw1.html http://www.geocities.com/lightweight...9/39lwlw1.html http://www.geocities.com/sldbconsumer/1939/39ps1.html http://www.geocities.com/sldbconsumer/1941/41nw1.html My Schwinn site is here: http://www.geocities.com/sldatabook/publications.html My Swing Bike site is here: http://www.geocities.com/bobhufford/swing.html Bob Hufford Springfield, MO |
Bob! a man of many talents! I never knew you had a closet interest in Hercules...I gave the only one that I had away a few years ago...a 50's vintage. Do these things have a collector value?
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Again, thanks for all the info. The seller emailed me back. He said he can't find a date stamped on the hub and that the chainring does not say Hercules. I had also asked him about the size and he said it measured 21 inches from the center of the BB spindle to the top of the seat tube. I haven't ridden many of these old three speeds, so I don't really know if that would fit me at 6'2" (it wouldn't if it were a typical road bike). Any opinions? If it won't fit I'll likely pass it up.
Bob - It didn't connect that you run the Schwinn Lightweight Databook. That is a fantastic site. Just FYI, Geocities says a bunch of the pages in the Rudge (and others) catalog pages are down due to inactivity. Also, is there a main index page or contents page for the non-Schwinn info? I would love to be able to look at all the old catalogs you've scanned regardless of maker. |
Originally Posted by luker
(Post 5533948)
Bob! a man of many talents! I never knew you had a closet interest in Hercules. Do these things have a collector value?
I didn't know I had an interest, really, until I received these catalogs along with some other Schwinn materials (factory service manuals, bulletins, etc.) from a long-time Schwinn dealer that was on his way to the dumpster with them when he remembered my SLDB site and thought I might have a use for them. It also included these: 1937 BSA Motorcycle catalog: http://www.geocities.com/motorcyclec...7/37bsa01.html 1939 Indian Motorcycle catalog: http://www.geocities.com/motorcyclec...39/39in01.html 1940 Ariel Motorcycle catalog and flyer: http://www.geocities.com/bhufford3/index.html and a 1939 Triumph motorcycle catalog that I haven't scanned yet.
Originally Posted by Traquair
(Post 5534778)
Bob - It didn't connect that you run the Schwinn Lightweight Databook. That is a fantastic site. Just FYI, Geocities says a bunch of the pages in the Rudge (and others) catalog pages are down due to inactivity. Also, is there a main index page or contents page for the non-Schwinn info? I would love to be able to look at all the old catalogs you've scanned regardless of maker.
Bob |
I had a Hercules as a kid in the early '50s. It had a Hercumatic gear shift and I believe was made in Birmingham. The Hercumatic was probably made by Sturmey Archer. Looked exactly the same and sounded the same.
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Originally Posted by Traquair
(Post 5534778)
Again, thanks for all the info. The seller emailed me back. He said he can't find a date stamped on the hub and that the chainring does not say Hercules. I had also asked him about the size and he said it measured 21 inches from the center of the BB spindle to the top of the seat tube. I haven't ridden many of these old three speeds, so I don't really know if that would fit me at 6'2" (it wouldn't if it were a typical road bike). Any opinions? If it won't fit I'll likely pass it up.
Bob - It didn't connect that you run the Schwinn Lightweight Databook. That is a fantastic site. Just FYI, Geocities says a bunch of the pages in the Rudge (and others) catalog pages are down due to inactivity. Also, is there a main index page or contents page for the non-Schwinn info? I would love to be able to look at all the old catalogs you've scanned regardless of maker. Aaron:) |
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@ redneckwes
what is the date on your herc?
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Originally Posted by BobHufford
(Post 5530787)
I can't tell the year of the OP's Hercules in question, but may I post photos of the ones I have/had? It may help. 1960 Hercules http://i525.photobucket.com/albums/c...icycles033.jpg 1964 AMF Hercules http://i525.photobucket.com/albums/c...icycles025.jpg 1968 AMF Hercules http://i525.photobucket.com/albums/c...9-09-22338.jpg |
I think pre-Raleigh Hercs have either the cutout Hercules or the "H" around the chain ring. The rebadged pre-raleigh Hercs and Raleigh Hercs were the spoke chain ring.
$150 is too much for that one, for sure, but around $75 if I could pick it up would be ok. Here's a great Herc site: http://herculesmuseum.wordpress.com/ These are great to turn into a Fixie! |
Here's my Hercules India, this bike is so great to ride for an old fat guy, look at that geometry!
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Update on this old thread.... the bike in question is still on Central NJ Craigslist (see below). I'd be tempted if it still had its fenders and chainguard, but as is, well, $99 is still too much. But I am pretty sure it's an old one, probably early 50's. The lugs are definitely pre-Raleigh.
world war 11 british bike, Hercules 26 X 1 1/4-1 3/8'' tires? - $99 (union n.j.) Date: 2009-09-21, 7:53PM EDT Reply to: sale-vtsbf-1385952107@craigslist.org [Errors when replying to ads?] correction , looked like a 3 speed stermey archer hub. hard to see but it has hercules stamped on it. been told it was made in the 1940'ies . can't determine what other stamptings are . have to clean better and get better eyes . bike has fittings on hanger and hubs to oil them . [shifter parts missing]. [have parts if i can find them , cheap] . you restore. think all original . raised metal head tube emblem . unusual frame lugs and fork crown . this bike worth more , lot more in years to come. have a few other vintage bikes.---have reguler [not high teck stuff] ,new tires, tubes and acc's. all at inexpensive prices. i'm a retired bike shop owner , if you buy parts from me i'll tell you how to repair it . call me,at 908-687-3170 11am to 8pm or e-m me -- Ed ---. right now bike worth 150 --- come see it,if you want something old AND you restore it worth much more ! stored outdoors starting to rust. i will suggest how to clean up. thank you * Location: union n.j. * it's NOT ok to contact this poster with services or other commercial interests image 1385952107-0 image 1385952107-1 |
Based on some observations of various Hercules (Herculi?) I think it is from the 40's, possibly the late 30's. I have a similar bike but it has a different head badge and the Hercules chain ring. It may be a lower priced model and thus not have the Herc chainring, or possibly it was switched out at some time?
Aaron:) |
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