For the love of English 3 speeds...
10-20-17, 07:52 PM
Senior Member
It's definitely a pre-Raleigh/1960 machine. Everything on it is Birmingham made. The graphics suggest it's a late 50's. It's a nice bike for the money.
@johnnyspaghetti, The Eaton's Company (and Simpsons, Sears etc) sourced bikes from many manufacturers, including Hercules and Raleigh. The Commander has proved to be a Herc model. Canada had more intimate relationships with British bike makers which provided a lot of variety of nice Brit bikes in the market place.
@johnnyspaghetti, The Eaton's Company (and Simpsons, Sears etc) sourced bikes from many manufacturers, including Hercules and Raleigh. The Commander has proved to be a Herc model. Canada had more intimate relationships with British bike makers which provided a lot of variety of nice Brit bikes in the market place.
10-20-17, 08:44 PM
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2017
Posts: 115
Mentioned: 7 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 79 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
10-21-17, 03:44 AM
Phyllo-buster
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Nova Scotia
Posts: 8,847
Bikes: roadsters, club bikes, fixed and classic
Mentioned: 133 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2298 Post(s)
Liked 2,054 Times
in
1,254 Posts
Well that's what you get for looking...I'm above all that 
Hercules must have taken the same approach as Raleigh when they released a differing range of styles directed at the flashy NA market. The home market 53 Sports appears to retain the austere British look while the Toronto bike has more lipstick. It does say it's a Coronation model so maybe it was a special release.
Hercules must have taken the same approach as Raleigh when they released a differing range of styles directed at the flashy NA market. The home market 53 Sports appears to retain the austere British look while the Toronto bike has more lipstick. It does say it's a Coronation model so maybe it was a special release.
Last edited by clubman; 10-21-17 at 03:51 AM.
10-21-17, 04:38 AM
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2015
Posts: 3,240
Mentioned: 103 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1299 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 103 Times
in
85 Posts
Thanks for posting this picture. Always learning new things here. Didn't know Raleigh used gun barrel blue on the rear fender hanger. Makes sense though. They seemed to move away from bluing and into using that gray finish in the mid 50s. You even have the original blued cable clips, very nice. I know they sell home cold bluing kits, but I know manufacturers use a hot bluing process. I'm assuming the hot process produces a better, longer lasting surface, but I don't really know.
__________________
Inflate Hard
Inflate Hard
Last edited by BigChief; 10-21-17 at 04:42 AM.
10-21-17, 04:40 AM
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2015
Posts: 3,240
Mentioned: 103 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1299 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 103 Times
in
85 Posts
Well that's what you get for looking...I'm above all that
Hercules must have taken the same approach as Raleigh when they released a differing range of styles directed at the flashy NA market. The home market 53 Sports appears to retain the austere British look while the Toronto bike has more lipstick. It does say it's a Coronation model so maybe it was a special release.
Hercules must have taken the same approach as Raleigh when they released a differing range of styles directed at the flashy NA market. The home market 53 Sports appears to retain the austere British look while the Toronto bike has more lipstick. It does say it's a Coronation model so maybe it was a special release.
__________________
Inflate Hard
Inflate Hard
10-21-17, 06:08 AM
Senior Member
Clubman, the Queen of England was crowned in 1953. Coronation year, British commonwealth countries made quite the celebration of it. The model may be the typical 'Top Tier' Eatons bike of the period.
Last edited by Dsprok; 10-21-17 at 10:18 AM.
10-21-17, 06:10 AM
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2017
Posts: 115
Mentioned: 7 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 79 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Thanks for posting this picture. Always learning new things here. Didn't know Raleigh used gun barrel blue on the rear fender hanger. Makes sense though. They seemed to move away from bluing and into using that gray finish in the mid 50s. You even have the original blued cable clips, very nice. I know they sell home cold bluing kits, but I know manufacturers use a hot bluing process. I'm assuming the hot process produces a better, longer lasting surface, but I don't really know.
10-21-17, 06:34 AM
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2015
Posts: 3,240
Mentioned: 103 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1299 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 103 Times
in
85 Posts
10-21-17, 11:52 AM
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Maryland
Posts: 3,800
Bikes: Lots of English 3-speeds, a couple of old road bikes, 3 mountain bikes, 1 hybrid, and a couple of mash-ups
Mentioned: 53 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 887 Post(s)
Liked 335 Times
in
225 Posts
Nice Lugged AMF Hercules $60
https://delaware.craigslist.org/bik/...353144760.html
I emailed the owner about the bike and he told me that the bike is in excellent working condition. I was planning to give it a look, but I already have 1 bike too many.
I emailed the owner about the bike and he told me that the bike is in excellent working condition. I was planning to give it a look, but I already have 1 bike too many.
10-21-17, 12:20 PM
On the road
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: New England
Posts: 2,171
Bikes: Old Schwinns and old Raleighs
Mentioned: 35 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 373 Post(s)
Liked 847 Times
in
323 Posts
https://delaware.craigslist.org/bik/...353144760.html
I emailed the owner about the bike and he told me that the bike is in excellent working condition. I was planning to give it a look, but I already have 1 bike too many.
I emailed the owner about the bike and he told me that the bike is in excellent working condition. I was planning to give it a look, but I already have 1 bike too many.
__________________
Classic American and British Roadsters, Utility Bikes, and Sporting Bikes (1935-1979):
https://bikeshedva.blogspot.com/
Classic American and British Roadsters, Utility Bikes, and Sporting Bikes (1935-1979):
https://bikeshedva.blogspot.com/
10-21-17, 12:33 PM
Phyllo-buster
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Nova Scotia
Posts: 8,847
Bikes: roadsters, club bikes, fixed and classic
Mentioned: 133 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2298 Post(s)
Liked 2,054 Times
in
1,254 Posts
23" frame, very nice condition and I like early Birmingham bikes in general. Glad I'm not in TO or it would be mine.
10-21-17, 01:37 PM
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Maryland
Posts: 3,800
Bikes: Lots of English 3-speeds, a couple of old road bikes, 3 mountain bikes, 1 hybrid, and a couple of mash-ups
Mentioned: 53 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 887 Post(s)
Liked 335 Times
in
225 Posts
It has a set of the lever and swivel link brake levers we talked about earlier on this thread, which is interesting. They seem to have been used on a variety of "base model" bikes. That's a nice bike for the price. It's typical of what an economy model "US-spec" Raleigh product would be.
10-21-17, 02:32 PM
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Port Dover Ontario Canada
Posts: 1,543
Bikes: 1965 Dilecta Le Blanc, 1956 Royal Nord, 1972 Raleigh Sports, 1972 CCM Turismo,1976 SuperCycle Excalibur, 2014 Salsa Vaya, 2017 Felt DD70, 2019 Giant Lafree and others
Mentioned: 39 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 351 Post(s)
Liked 590 Times
in
228 Posts
As I was having my morning coffee, the phone rang. It was a neighbor who knew I liked old bikes. He was at his church helping with a rummage sale and had set aside an "old Raleigh" for me. Grabbed my cuppa', jumped in the van and off to church I go. Indeed it was an "old Raleigh", a 24" DL1 of 1977 vintage. I offered up $35 and it was graciously received. Dirty, rusty and freewheeling between gears (the indicator is stuck) but with air in the original Raleigh Roadster tires I brought it home. Another future project I guess.
__________________
We are what we reflect. We are the changes that we bring to this world. Ride often. -Geo.-
We are what we reflect. We are the changes that we bring to this world. Ride often. -Geo.-
10-21-17, 03:00 PM
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Toronto
Posts: 2,572
Bikes: 1971 Hercules, 1978 Raleigh Superbe, 1978 Raleigh Tourist, 1964 Glider 3 Speed, 1967 Raleigh Sprite 5 Speed, 1968 Hercules AMF 3 Speed, 1972 Raleigh Superbe, 1976 Raleigh Superbe, 1957 Flying Pigeon, 1967 Dunelt 3 Speed
Mentioned: 57 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1028 Post(s)
Liked 443 Times
in
288 Posts
I may try to go out there next week. He says he has some other vintage bikes.
Eatons decorated for the Coronation, 1953.
eatons_5522.jpg
Last edited by gster; 10-21-17 at 03:05 PM.
10-21-17, 03:14 PM
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2015
Posts: 3,240
Mentioned: 103 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1299 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 103 Times
in
85 Posts
As I was having my morning coffee, the phone rang. It was a neighbor who knew I liked old bikes. He was at his church helping with a rummage sale and had set aside an "old Raleigh" for me. Grabbed my cuppa', jumped in the van and off to church I go. Indeed it was an "old Raleigh", a 24" DL1 of 1977 vintage. I offered up $35 and it was graciously received. Dirty, rusty and freewheeling between gears (the indicator is stuck) but with air in the original Raleigh Roadster tires I brought it home. Another future project I guess.
69dl001 by Billy Bones, on Flickr
__________________
Inflate Hard
Inflate Hard
10-21-17, 05:53 PM
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Port Dover Ontario Canada
Posts: 1,543
Bikes: 1965 Dilecta Le Blanc, 1956 Royal Nord, 1972 Raleigh Sports, 1972 CCM Turismo,1976 SuperCycle Excalibur, 2014 Salsa Vaya, 2017 Felt DD70, 2019 Giant Lafree and others
Mentioned: 39 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 351 Post(s)
Liked 590 Times
in
228 Posts
Squirted some oil in the hub end and the indicator shifts easily but still have no hub engagement forward or backward. Is there a magic potion I can apply? The owner, who dropped it off at the sale, says it "RAN WHEN PARKED" I put an ounce or so of ATF in the hub as well.
__________________
We are what we reflect. We are the changes that we bring to this world. Ride often. -Geo.-
We are what we reflect. We are the changes that we bring to this world. Ride often. -Geo.-
10-21-17, 07:02 PM
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2015
Posts: 3,240
Mentioned: 103 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1299 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 103 Times
in
85 Posts
Squirted some oil in the hub end and the indicator shifts easily but still have no hub engagement forward or backward. Is there a magic potion I can apply? The owner, who dropped it off at the sale, says it "RAN WHEN PARKED" I put an ounce or so of ATF in the hub as well.
rusty.JPG
But after an overnight in Evapo Rust and replaced pawl springs it looks like this and now the hub works good as new.
I love AW hubs.
x rust.JPG
__________________
Inflate Hard
Inflate Hard
Last edited by BigChief; 10-21-17 at 10:11 PM.
10-22-17, 04:56 AM
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Toronto
Posts: 2,572
Bikes: 1971 Hercules, 1978 Raleigh Superbe, 1978 Raleigh Tourist, 1964 Glider 3 Speed, 1967 Raleigh Sprite 5 Speed, 1968 Hercules AMF 3 Speed, 1972 Raleigh Superbe, 1976 Raleigh Superbe, 1957 Flying Pigeon, 1967 Dunelt 3 Speed
Mentioned: 57 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1028 Post(s)
Liked 443 Times
in
288 Posts
Squirted some oil in the hub end and the indicator shifts easily but still have no hub engagement forward or backward. Is there a magic potion I can apply? The owner, who dropped it off at the sale, says it "RAN WHEN PARKED" I put an ounce or so of ATF in the hub as well.
A bit of a learning curve but well worth the effort (frustration).
This Youtube tutorial is very helpful.
Last edited by gster; 10-22-17 at 05:01 AM.
10-22-17, 08:58 AM
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2017
Location: Pigseye
Posts: 556
Bikes: Raleigh Sports
Mentioned: 13 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 202 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Yesterday I could even look at these bikes you folks have been coming up with. My bicycle pennies are done for the month, it hurts too much.
Check out these prices on this site someone posted in another thread.
https://budgetbicyclectr.com/catalog...+speed+vintage
Check out these prices on this site someone posted in another thread.
https://budgetbicyclectr.com/catalog...+speed+vintage
Last edited by johnnyspaghetti; 10-22-17 at 04:30 PM.
10-22-17, 11:23 AM
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2009
Posts: 65
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 18 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 4 Times
in
2 Posts
Anyone who can post a picture from their yard or ride with palm trees and a hibiscus needs to be treated with proper degrees of envy - especially during the colder months here.
I should note that there was not a single Raleigh engineer who contemplated balmy breezes during winter months, so by rights, you should consider surrendering this steed to someone in the intended geography.
I should note that there was not a single Raleigh engineer who contemplated balmy breezes during winter months, so by rights, you should consider surrendering this steed to someone in the intended geography.
Seriously though, lovely as this bike is, I think I might like one size larger even better. . .
10-22-17, 02:04 PM
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Toronto
Posts: 2,572
Bikes: 1971 Hercules, 1978 Raleigh Superbe, 1978 Raleigh Tourist, 1964 Glider 3 Speed, 1967 Raleigh Sprite 5 Speed, 1968 Hercules AMF 3 Speed, 1972 Raleigh Superbe, 1976 Raleigh Superbe, 1957 Flying Pigeon, 1967 Dunelt 3 Speed
Mentioned: 57 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1028 Post(s)
Liked 443 Times
in
288 Posts
A very pleasant day here in Toronto and a perfect day for a fall ride.
This bike is a true Bitsa in every sense (Bits of this and bits of that).
It’s a Raleigh built Glider 5 speed frame with a ’71 3 speed hub. The hub internals are from a 1961.
The trigger is mid ’60’s and the rest of the parts… who knows.
I’m calling it a Semi Scorcher because the handle bars are in the upright position rather than being inverted.
Saddle is a used Brooks B66 and the pedals are a pair of brand new MKS 3000R (reflector) from Curbside Cycle.
The bike is a pleasure to ride and without any fenders or racks, rattle free as well as being somewhat lighter.
The only cosmetic issue to address are the mis-matched crank arms. The drive side is the rounded type while the other is squared. Something to do in the spring….
p1190489.jpg
p1190490.jpg
p1190491.jpg
p1190492.jpg
p1190493.jpg
This bike is a true Bitsa in every sense (Bits of this and bits of that).
It’s a Raleigh built Glider 5 speed frame with a ’71 3 speed hub. The hub internals are from a 1961.
The trigger is mid ’60’s and the rest of the parts… who knows.
I’m calling it a Semi Scorcher because the handle bars are in the upright position rather than being inverted.
Saddle is a used Brooks B66 and the pedals are a pair of brand new MKS 3000R (reflector) from Curbside Cycle.
The bike is a pleasure to ride and without any fenders or racks, rattle free as well as being somewhat lighter.
The only cosmetic issue to address are the mis-matched crank arms. The drive side is the rounded type while the other is squared. Something to do in the spring….
p1190489.jpg
p1190490.jpg
p1190491.jpg
p1190492.jpg
p1190493.jpg
10-22-17, 04:12 PM
aka Tom Reingold
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: New York, NY, and High Falls, NY, USA
Posts: 40,502
Bikes: 1962 Rudge Sports, 1971 Raleigh Super Course, 1971 Raleigh Pro Track, 1974 Raleigh International, 1975 Viscount Fixie, 1982 McLean, 1996 Lemond (Ti), 2002 Burley Zydeco tandem
Mentioned: 511 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 7348 Post(s)
Liked 2,465 Times
in
1,433 Posts
@browngw, I'm sure @gster and @BigChief are right. I suggest you get new pawl springs even before you open the hub. I don't know where to get them in Canada, but Harris Cyclery in Massachusetts is where I would go here in the US.
__________________
Tom Reingold, tom@noglider.com
New York City and High Falls, NY
Blogs: The Experienced Cyclist; noglider's ride blog
“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments.” — Elizabeth West, US author
Please email me rather than PM'ing me. Thanks.
Tom Reingold, tom@noglider.com
New York City and High Falls, NY
Blogs: The Experienced Cyclist; noglider's ride blog
“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments.” — Elizabeth West, US author
Please email me rather than PM'ing me. Thanks.
10-22-17, 04:26 PM
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Toronto
Posts: 2,572
Bikes: 1971 Hercules, 1978 Raleigh Superbe, 1978 Raleigh Tourist, 1964 Glider 3 Speed, 1967 Raleigh Sprite 5 Speed, 1968 Hercules AMF 3 Speed, 1972 Raleigh Superbe, 1976 Raleigh Superbe, 1957 Flying Pigeon, 1967 Dunelt 3 Speed
Mentioned: 57 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1028 Post(s)
Liked 443 Times
in
288 Posts
Urbane Cycle in Toronto carries them and if you scroll back several pages Big Chief shows how to make your own from guitar strings!
10-22-17, 04:34 PM
aka Tom Reingold
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: New York, NY, and High Falls, NY, USA
Posts: 40,502
Bikes: 1962 Rudge Sports, 1971 Raleigh Super Course, 1971 Raleigh Pro Track, 1974 Raleigh International, 1975 Viscount Fixie, 1982 McLean, 1996 Lemond (Ti), 2002 Burley Zydeco tandem
Mentioned: 511 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 7348 Post(s)
Liked 2,465 Times
in
1,433 Posts
I did see that explanation, but I would probably go crazy trying that. Just installing pawl springs is annoying enough.
__________________
Tom Reingold, tom@noglider.com
New York City and High Falls, NY
Blogs: The Experienced Cyclist; noglider's ride blog
“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments.” — Elizabeth West, US author
Please email me rather than PM'ing me. Thanks.
Tom Reingold, tom@noglider.com
New York City and High Falls, NY
Blogs: The Experienced Cyclist; noglider's ride blog
“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments.” — Elizabeth West, US author
Please email me rather than PM'ing me. Thanks.
10-22-17, 05:15 PM
Senior Member
Out this early evening for a coffee stop. Up to #8 on pedal tried to find a knee friendly set.