Help ID my old 3-speed
03-25-23, 09:58 PM
#1
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Help ID my old 3-speed
Head badge says "Hercules Notingham England" seat tube has AMF decal, top tube has "Made in England", stamp on handlebar stem looks like old Raleigh logo, serial # on bottom bracket is 3647793. 26 x 1 3/8 tires on chromed steel rims, Stermy-Archer 3-speed hub twist the right handlebar grip to shift, everything works well & rides nice. So what is it's story/history, what year is it & what could it sell for?
03-26-23, 08:51 AM
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Hercules is the nominal manufacturer.
Cycle contract supplied to American Machine & Fuondry.
By the time of its manufacture Hercules had been absorbed by Raleigh so the plant in which it was produced is the Raleigh one in Nottingham.
The marking on the bicycle's handlebar stem is a Raleigh symbol showing Sir Walter with the Raleigh Industries crest in front of him:
The shell of the cycle's Sturmey Archer rear hub will be marked with the year and month of the hub's manufacture.
First number is two digit and indicates year; second number indicates month of that year.
Machine "appears" 1960's era.
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Hercules is the nominal manufacturer.
Cycle contract supplied to American Machine & Fuondry.
By the time of its manufacture Hercules had been absorbed by Raleigh so the plant in which it was produced is the Raleigh one in Nottingham.
The marking on the bicycle's handlebar stem is a Raleigh symbol showing Sir Walter with the Raleigh Industries crest in front of him:
The shell of the cycle's Sturmey Archer rear hub will be marked with the year and month of the hub's manufacture.
First number is two digit and indicates year; second number indicates month of that year.
Machine "appears" 1960's era.
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Last edited by juvela; 03-26-23 at 09:06 AM. Reason: spellin'
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03-27-23, 05:37 AM
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With new cables, chain, oiling of the hub and overhauling the headset, front hub, and BB (with new cotter pins in the cranks) that bike will easily last another 60 years.
As to what it can sell for, that's basically what someone is willing to pay. Could be $25, could be $250.
As to what it can sell for, that's basically what someone is willing to pay. Could be $25, could be $250.
03-27-23, 06:05 AM
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I'm curious what the hub is marked. That chainguard screams 50s/60s. I like it. Nice bike.
03-27-23, 06:13 AM
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When I think of 3-speeds, the first thing I think of is Raleigh. They were so good at producing cheap, dependable bikes when people rode not because of fun, but the need to get somewhere. The bike appears to be well preserved, needing a good cleaning and some fresh lube, but it appears to all be there and will be desirable to someone.
The paint color is very attractive, at least to me. It will polish up nicely.
Value, as already stated is whatever someone is willing to pay. Are you looking to sell "as-is"
The bike will likely outlive many of us here. Can't say the same for many newer models.
The paint color is very attractive, at least to me. It will polish up nicely.
Value, as already stated is whatever someone is willing to pay. Are you looking to sell "as-is"
The bike will likely outlive many of us here. Can't say the same for many newer models.
03-27-23, 08:35 PM
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Thanks for the info, now it makes sense how 3 different manufacturers labels are on the same bike. Here's a pic of the hub, from your info hub made in Aug. 1967 so bike probably is 1967 or 1968 model. Not done clean/polishing I'll post more pics when red-E 2 sell.
03-28-23, 07:07 AM
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That hub certainly cleaned up very nicely for you, especially for a ~fifty-five year old cycle!
In case you have any interest in learning about the marque/company/history there is a very good enthusiast created and maintained site here -
https://herculesmuseum.wordpress.com/
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That hub certainly cleaned up very nicely for you, especially for a ~fifty-five year old cycle!
In case you have any interest in learning about the marque/company/history there is a very good enthusiast created and maintained site here -
https://herculesmuseum.wordpress.com/
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03-28-23, 08:19 AM
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Love the space age chainguard, the color, and the chrome fenders. This is not your father's (or perhaps grandfather's!) boring Raleigh 3 speed. Definitely worth more than $25 to the right buyer.
