Hercules Identification
#1
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Hercules Identification
Hi all
So you probably get spammed with these types of threads asking for identification and I thought it would be easier to ask if there's a list of model/serial numbers people can search up? There's a number 4011 under the bottom bracket of this Hercules I've just purchased and hopefully that means something to someone reading.
This is my first 3 speed which I'm told is a 1953 Hercules Tourist although looking at the catalogue for that year I can't find this configuration.
If you want to see a picture I've posted it in the gallery, feel free to share the image in a comment.
Cheers
So you probably get spammed with these types of threads asking for identification and I thought it would be easier to ask if there's a list of model/serial numbers people can search up? There's a number 4011 under the bottom bracket of this Hercules I've just purchased and hopefully that means something to someone reading.
This is my first 3 speed which I'm told is a 1953 Hercules Tourist although looking at the catalogue for that year I can't find this configuration.
If you want to see a picture I've posted it in the gallery, feel free to share the image in a comment.
Cheers
#2
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Often, the best dating clue on old English 3 speeds is the date code on the rear hub. Of course, that assumes it is a Sturmey-Archer and that it is original equipment. Unfortunately, bicycles this old have often been substantially rebuilt. Looking at the frame itself, I get the impression that it is older, based on the wishbone style seat stays. Additional photos may help. Photo assist...
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#3
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The bike in the photo has a roadster frame. The seat stays are bolted to the the back of the seat tube and the drop out exits to the rear.
not much appears to be original, possibly the mud guards, and possibly the rack on the back.
It could be as old as the 30’s.
What size wheels an tires does it have?
not much appears to be original, possibly the mud guards, and possibly the rack on the back.
It could be as old as the 30’s.
What size wheels an tires does it have?
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#4
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Hi all
So you probably get spammed with these types of threads asking for identification and I thought it would be easier to ask if there's a list of model/serial numbers people can search up? There's a number 4011 under the bottom bracket of this Hercules I've just purchased and hopefully that means something to someone reading.
This is my first 3 speed which I'm told is a 1953 Hercules Tourist although looking at the catalogue for that year I can't find this configuration.
If you want to see a picture I've posted it in the gallery, feel free to share the image in a comment.
Cheers
So you probably get spammed with these types of threads asking for identification and I thought it would be easier to ask if there's a list of model/serial numbers people can search up? There's a number 4011 under the bottom bracket of this Hercules I've just purchased and hopefully that means something to someone reading.
This is my first 3 speed which I'm told is a 1953 Hercules Tourist although looking at the catalogue for that year I can't find this configuration.
If you want to see a picture I've posted it in the gallery, feel free to share the image in a comment.
Cheers
The 'wishbone' stays and curved brake bridge were common on the post war 28" wheel roadsters. Serial numbers don't really help for most mass produced Brit bikes it seems.
It looks like an early bike but I'm not seeing any pics in the gallery. Still a very nice roadster. Here's another Birmingham bike, likely just post-war, with the same stays.
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#5
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Thread Starter
Often, the best dating clue on old English 3 speeds is the date code on the rear hub. Of course, that assumes it is a Sturmey-Archer and that it is original equipment. Unfortunately, bicycles this old have often been substantially rebuilt. Looking at the frame itself, I get the impression that it is older, based on the wishbone style seat stays. Additional photos may help. Photo assist...
Thank you for the response and sharing the image. The rear hub is a Sturmey Archer AB - dated 53. Whether it's original or not I have no idea.
I have added a few images again to the gallery and would appreciate if you could share.
#6
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Thread Starter
The bike in the photo has a roadster frame. The seat stays are bolted to the the back of the seat tube and the drop out exits to the rear.
not much appears to be original, possibly the mud guards, and possibly the rack on the back.
It could be as old as the 30’s.
What size wheels an tires does it have?
not much appears to be original, possibly the mud guards, and possibly the rack on the back.
It could be as old as the 30’s.
What size wheels an tires does it have?
I believe the bike was restored to be a show piece rather than a functional one.
The person I bought it from said the head badge couldn't be restored so they replaced it but I don't know whether it was replaced with an identical styled one.
They said the pedals were original and presumably they also meant the crank but could be wrong.
And I don't think the rack is as they had 3 other brand bikes with identical racks.
Wheels are 28 x 1 3/8. I wonder whether this originally had 26 x 1 3/8 though.
#7
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Thread Starter
I looked through that 53 catalogue and it's 19 pages long but they note on the last page that they have 31 models available and specifications are always subject to change.
The 'wishbone' stays and curved brake bridge were common on the post war 28" wheel roadsters. Serial numbers don't really help for most mass produced Brit bikes it seems.
It looks like an early bike but I'm not seeing any pics in the gallery. Still a very nice roadster. Here's another Birmingham bike, likely just post-war, with the same stays.
The 'wishbone' stays and curved brake bridge were common on the post war 28" wheel roadsters. Serial numbers don't really help for most mass produced Brit bikes it seems.
It looks like an early bike but I'm not seeing any pics in the gallery. Still a very nice roadster. Here's another Birmingham bike, likely just post-war, with the same stays.
bikeforums.net/g/album/24339807
#8
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28"s should be original with that frame. I'm wondering how the front brake caliper is working with the front westwood rim? Typically it would have have an SA drum brake.
Another unique feature is the 5 pin crankset, not normally found on roadsters but it might push the date back. Is it marked Utility, British Made? are there any dates on the back of the arms?
Another unique feature is the 5 pin crankset, not normally found on roadsters but it might push the date back. Is it marked Utility, British Made? are there any dates on the back of the arms?
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#9
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The OP's new photos shows the pre-1950s, round headbadge with the horizontally aligned holes, while the early 1950s used the keystone shaped headbadge with two vertically aligned holes. The spacing on the latter is wider than the on the former, so there should be evidence of the holes if it's from the early 1950s. I'm not seeing anything from the outside (see attached photo). I guess they could have been filled in by the previous owner but there should still be evidence of them if the inside of the head tube is examined. I'm not not sure exactly when the badge style changed but it was sometime during the 1948 to 1950 model years.
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#10
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28"s should be original with that frame. I'm wondering how the front brake caliper is working with the front westwood rim? Typically it would have have an SA drum brake.
Another unique feature is the 5 pin crankset, not normally found on roadsters but it might push the date back. Is it marked Utility, British Made? are there any dates on the back of the arms?
Another unique feature is the 5 pin crankset, not normally found on roadsters but it might push the date back. Is it marked Utility, British Made? are there any dates on the back of the arms?
#11
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The OP's new photos shows the pre-1950s, round headbadge with the horizontally aligned holes, while the early 1950s used the keystone shaped headbadge with two vertically aligned holes. The spacing on the latter is wider than the on the former, so there should be evidence of the holes if it's from the early 1950s. I'm not seeing anything from the outside (see attached photo). I guess they could have been filled in by the previous owner but there should still be evidence of them if the inside of the head tube is examined. I'm not not sure exactly when the badge style changed but it was sometime during the 1948 to 1950 model years.
#12
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Have a closer look at the back of the crank arms...Williams were pretty consistent with having date codes, usually in the form of 2 letters. See this chart for reference. This, along with the '53 hub will get you close to the year of manufacture.
#13
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Have a closer look at the back of the crank arms...Williams were pretty consistent with having date codes, usually in the form of 2 letters. See this chart for reference. This, along with the '53 hub will get you close to the year of manufacture.
#14
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I'd call it a '53 Hercules even if the frame's earlier. It's a very nice roadster so enjoy it.
#15
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