Evolution and Reintroduction
 

A week or two ago, I decided to do a full service and deep cleaning of my 1956 Hercules Royal Prince. Since the bike was in very rough shape when I first got it, I did a quick cleanup and upon receiving a set of wheels that were kindly donated by RobbieTunes, I put the wheels on the bike, made some adjustments and rode it a little bit.

For the latest round of work the tasks I performed were: replace and repacked all the bearings (including the pedals), replaced the headset, replaced the tires (the tubes were old, but had no patches and were holding air perfectly!), repainted the fenders, installed a NOS Birmingham chainguard and replaced the Wald fender stays with ones from Velo Orange.

I believe the results speak for themselves...

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7150/6...5366cbca_b.jpg
1956 Hercules Royal Prince - The Evolution - 1 by Sallad Rialb, on Flickr

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1956 Hercules Royal Prince - The Evolution - 3 by Sallad Rialb, on Flickr

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1956 Hercules Royal Prince - The Evolution - 4 by Sallad Rialb, on Flickr

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1956 Hercules Royal Prince - The Evolution - 5 by Sallad Rialb, on Flickr

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1956 Hercules Royal Prince - The Evolution - 6 by Sallad Rialb, on Flickr

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1956 Hercules Royal Prince - The Evolution - 8 by Sallad Rialb, on Flickr

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1956 Hercules Royal Prince - The Evolution - 9 by Sallad Rialb, on Flickr

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1956 Hercules Royal Prince - The Evolution - 10 by Sallad Rialb, on Flickr

Again, the definition of understated elegance. Beautifully executed - and I love the way those amber-walls complement the black. Overall, a most pleasing look to this.

I'll say it again: must begin looking for a three speed...

DD

Well done and, even though my focus is vintage road bicycles, I have found, and really liked, a few old roadsters myself. I agree that the simple aesthetics dignify the bicycle. I like it.
http://www.mytenspeeds.com/My_TenSpe...Full_TQF_4.jpg

Great job Photogravity! that old Herc looks great!

I actually thought this was going to be a discussion on 'what is old is new again' about things like those new fangled hidden headset and the like.


UH UM Randy.... I hate to be the bearer of bad news but in case you have somehow not noticed.... your toptube has one heck of a kink in it.

If you are in Boca Raton, Florida you could have this 1950 Raleigh England Bicycle.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-1950...item3cc0b72412

Not anymore. I slipped off of the saddle one day and the kink is gone. But my voice sounds strange now - go figure;-(

Actually, this old Peugeot roadster found its way back to me a month or so ago. The bike was disassembled when I found it sitting by the back door. I put it back together, sort of, and plan to clean it up in preparation for the coming riding season...
http://www.bikeforums.net/attachment...4&d=1323555975

http://www.bikeforums.net/attachment...5&d=1323556013

http://www.bikeforums.net/attachment...3&d=1323555947

Thanks DD. One of the biggest reasons I like the old English 3-speeds it because there is an elegant simplicity to them. I actually thought about putting a pair of whitewalls on the bike since it has the white headtube panel and grips, but I had three pairs of tanwalls around, so that's what went on the bike. Unless I decide to paint the frame, which is somewhat likely, they'll likely remain on the bike for a while.

Now as far as you having a 3-speed, I'm not sure that's in keeping with the DD image... Why would you want to take a chance at repelling the ladies? :D

BTW, did you notice my version of drillium on the rear cog? ;)

Randy, though I periodically visit your site, I don't think I've seen that Victoria. That is quite the nice machine! I really like seeing an old bikes with matching painted rims.

Hey BG, glad to see you're spending a little less time on the road and a little more on the forums lately. :) Thanks for the compliment on the old Herc. Given its original state, it has come along very nicely.

I'm glad that I was able to fake you out with the thread title, though that wasn't my intent. It's just that I've introduced so many threads with Hercules in the title (sort of like you with Bianchi ;)), it concerns me that people will start ignoring my posts.

Finally, about Randy's Victoria, not only does the top tube have an issue, but the fork appears bent. :D

Holy Guano! That is just too cool with the original bill of sale and the provenance as it is! I would love to get my hands on that bike, but I have so many irons in the fire project wise. Ah, to he|| with it! Where is that facilitators thread? ;)

http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=233550 http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=233551

Those look like 40h/32h rims. Are they 27"? I could really do with a set of those or even better in 700c

Any idea where Robbie picked these up or where you might be able to get a set now.

Randy your comment just happened to remind me of an old song Riders In The Sky perform, "That's How The Yodel Was Born". :)

Now back to bikes: That Peugeot is talking to me! Very neat bike. Though I suppose there are plenty of Peugeot roadsters in other continents, they seem few and far between here in North America according to my estimation.

Hey old_dreams, the wheels are indeed 40/32, but they are 26x1-3/8" size. Robbie pulled them off a 1965 (or thereabouts) Hercules that he was stripping as I recall. The hub is stamped 65 4.

Are you really in Ireland?

Beautiful bike 'photogravity'. Looks like it would be a pleasure to ride.

Nice going photogravity !
That WAS a bit of a dog when you first acquired it, but you have made it into a thing of beauty!
You really make the case that everyone ought to have a 3-speed.

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6078/...34a2715c_z.jpg
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7150/6...5366cbca_b.jpg

Thanks Wino. It is a laid back ride for sure. This is my first experience with a B66S saddle, but I like the saddle quite a bit. My wife was laughing at me that I put the ladies Brooks on my gents bike, but I've heard of plenty of guys who prefer riding ladies Brooks.

You won't have to look hard.

I have a complete and attractive Hercules waiting for you on a hook when you are ready.

To the op, yours is gorgeous.

Gravity, I love how the fender stays worked out, quite classy.

Yes sir. Though I've been to America a few times and even bought a bike there once.

Nice job on the Hercules. I'm trying to build up a frame from around 1954 for my wife to ride, hence the query on the rims. Hope I do as good a job as you have done on yours.

Thanks Auchen. It's definitely taken some work to get it where it is now, but I knew it had potential as soon as I set eyes on it. I am really thankful for the encouragement of the folks here on the forums and to RobbieTunes for the wheelset. I probably could have cobbled something together, but the wheels were the biggest missing piece.

As you know, I'm all about IGH and almost always advocate the notion that a 3-speed belongs in the bicycle stable.

gomango, I've looked at your flickr collection more than once and am pretty impressed with the De Rosa's you have. They have quite the allure. :)

Thanks for the compliment. She's still a little rough, but I think it's where I'm going to leave it for the time being.

Thanks David, I figured I would see how the VO stays worked out and they are a pretty good solution. If I was trying to make the bike period correct I would have gone in a different direction, but these work surprisingly well and are pretty reasonable in price.

old_dreams, I'd love to see what you are working with for your 1954 Hercules... Can you please post some pictures here for us? I'm very interested in your project.

It sold for $99.