chilipapa

You guys have stirred an interest in these old bikes. After reading this I remembered an old farmer I knew who kept old cars, but in his barns were tatty old day to day bikes. At the time I didn't give them a second look. Anyway I went back there yesterday. I couldn't find the old boy, but the collection is still there.
There was an old bike sat there, looking very original. I couldn't see the rear hub from the gate, but it had rod brakes, a massive old dynamo lamp and what looked like an old brass pump on the seat tube.
I'll try and see if I can get access.
All stored away in an old barn in Whitchurch, Buckinghamshire. Hopefully this has kept them safe from the rather damp British weather.

photogravity

chilipapa, there are so many humble old English roadsters out there and I love the simplicity and elegance of them. You just don't see that in today's bikes and that's why I like them so much. They were bikes built for the common man with durability and reliability in mind. With so many out there still today, it is evident they stood the test of time.

Thanks for sharing your little story too, that's what I love about these forums. Hopefully you'll be able to get into that barn!

bobn

My early '50s Herc that I got brand new as a kid for Christmas was a pre Raleigh.
The hub was a Hercumatic as was the shifter. There was no date on it and it definately was NOT an S/A marked hub.
It could have been manufactured by S/A for Hercules but was not marked as such.

photogravity

Hey bobn, what is the hub type? For instance is it an A Type 9, B Type 3 or similar. I can tell you what year the hub is based on the type stamped on the hub.

Also, would you mind sharing pictures of the bike if you have any available?

sailorbenjamin

Hey, here's one! Bring lots of money;
https://newjersey.craigslist.org/bik/2965765015.html

photogravity

That's some major coin for that bike. I would never pay that much for it, though the bike does look like it's in pretty good shape.

jdave5917

I'm along I-81 (between exits 72 & 77) about 7-8 miles N.E. of Harrisburg. Mostly retired so I'm usually around if I have some notice that you will be in the area. I'm sure the mudguards are original as they perfectly match everything else. I see what you're saying about the chainguard but that too appears to be original. I have also seen that chainguard on other similar bikes on the net.

Let me know if/when you plan to be up this way. I'll provide a phone number and address that you can mapquest if you send a PM.

bobn

Photo,

I haven't seen that bicycle in about 52 years. Once I got my jr drivers license the bike was forgotten about. I don't have a clue as to the coding. Sorry.
I sure wish I had it back though.

chilipapa

I've made contact with guy, though we weren't at the barn.
I've bought the old Raleigh that's been sat outside in the British weather for years. I've not seen it close up, but I can see that it's complete.
It's a Raleigh Superbe Dawn and covered in rust. From at a guess the 50's. I've just paid £20 about $30 for it and will collect it later this week.
In the meantime he is going to check to see what else is about.
'you would have liked the 30's racer I had' he said!

photogravity

bobn, I thought that might have been the case, but I was hopeful. There are so many things I wish I hadn't gotten rid of when I was younger. Oh well.

photogravity

That is great to hear! At that price, you essentially pinched that bike!!

Oh, don't forget: pictures or it didn't happen.

chilipapa

It's a 1958 Superbe Dawn. A total rust bucket, but complete and restoreable.
The biggest problem is the seized SA lever and missing SA nut and chain link, so I don't know if the hub works?
I certainly had the lights going

photogravity

Very nice! I can't wait to see pictures of the bike. As far as the lever, nut and indicator chain, they're easily replaceable. I'm willing to bet that the hub is fine. They are very resilient and respond well to a little oil in most cases.

chilipapa

Actually it's a plain old 'Dawn Tourist' I'm basing that on the fact that the 58 version was black, and only the Superbe was green.
I purchased a new indicator, fitted it and it works. Therefore I'm carrying out the restoration, strictly DIY.
Right now the whole bike is in bits in a box.
I can use a spray gun so no problems there. Though I will need some new parts. I will re rim the wheels. Fit a saddle that hasn't got weeds growing out of it!. fit new pads and tyres or tires and it'll be good to go.
All the chrome is rusty, but looks sort of nice. I'm not a big fan of over restored bikes.
The only mechanical job is getting the AG Dyno hub to run smooth, I hope it's just a case of cone adjustment.
If anyone has some real world experience of SA cone adjustment please share it with me.

photogravity

chilipapa, I'm glad to hear that you've had success getting the hub to spin and shift. I suggest putting some solvent in the hub (I use kerosene) to flush out the crud and then put oil back into the hub. I've had good success using that method as the hubs are quite resilient and will come back to life pretty easily.

Just remember that a dynohub will feel notchy when it's being spun on the bike or in a truing stand, but once ridden you will not even notice the dyno pulsing. I am always loath to do too much with these hubs because there usually isn't too much to gain by taking them apart unless they really are broken. I suggest reaching out to forum member rhm as he's got lots of experience with the old SA hubs.

chilipapa

I've had a good tinker with the left hand 'do it all' cone and I'm finding that either too tight or too loose feeling. Perhaps I shouldn't compare them with modern bearings?
Do you know if the oil in the body lubes the bearings?

gna

I volunteer at (for lack of a better word) a bike recycler, and he has a Hercumatic Hub in a box of English 3-speed parts. I think it is a Type B, complete with threaded driver. He'd sell it for $10, and we could figure out how to ship it to you, if you are interested.

trlrnr

Here's a Hercules that came up on CL in Berks County, PA. Its pretty rough, but maybe you could get a part or two off if that you might need.

https://reading.craigslist.org/bik/2986755445.html

photogravity

I am interested in the hub. Can you tell me if it's a B Type 4, 5, 6, etc? Thanks for letting me know about the hub!

gna

For the life of me, I can't remember.

I usually volunteer on Thursday nights. I'll try to take a picture of it then.

photogravity

Actually, that bicycle is surprisingly intact except for the chainguard. It has one of the more unique paint jobs I've seen on a light roadster of that era too. It is interesting that the fender tips front and rear appear to be maroon. BTW, the bike it isn't so rough that I didn't send an inquiry about it.

photogravity

Thanks GNA, that will be great!

gna

I picked up the hub. It's a B Type 3. 40 spoke, threaded driver. Can't find a date stamp. I can try to take some pictures tomorrow.

Edit: Here's a crappy cell phone pic:

usarnie1

I releize it has been 6 years ago since you posted this hub. However, I have a 1953 Hercules Tourist bicycle that I would like to use this hub on. If you still have it, I will take it!

Thanks,

Arnie

56ford