chandltp

I found a Hercules 3 speed that's in ridable shape, but a little rough around the edges. The seller wants $50 for it. I have no idea if this is reasonable or not. What should I consider with this bike? I'm not sure of the year.

Esteban32696

Without pix, & better description, it is hard to say what it is worth . Are you wanting to fix it up to ride,,, or sell ?? I try to buy most any English 3 speeds, though.

bobn

Is it an AMF Hercules or a genuine Birmingham Hercules?
If it is a genuine Birmingham it will have a "Hercumatic" shifter and hub. At first glance they are dead ringers for the SA shifter and hub, probably made by SA. I don't think the Hercs were date stamped like the SAs
My Herc went back to the early '50s. I don't know when AMF got into the picture.
Price depends on condition and how much someone wants it.
My guess is about $200.00/250.00 if it's in really good condition and all original.

Doohickie

Hercs from about 1960 and on used SA hubs (Raleigh bought them out around then. I have a Birmingham-built Herc with a SA AW hub.)

chandltp

I asked the guy if it was any identifier on the hub, and if there was any notation that it was a Birmingham. It appears to have an original (and gently used) Brooks saddle on it. There was some light rust, but I don't recall anything bad.

So is the Birmingham hub a good thing or not?

chandltp

Oh, and I'm wanting this for a around town kind of bike. Kind of another choice depending on my mood. So I'm not planning to put a lot of work into making it look nice.

Doohickie

If it's got a leather Brooks in decent condition on it, then the saddle is worth about $50 alone. Bear in mind, though, that Brooks also made vinyl mattress saddles.

If it has a Brooks, it's probably post-1960; Brooks was a Raleigh company.

bobn

It seems that everything involving the British bicycle industry eventually came under Raleigh ownership

chandltp

The guy decided not to sell it after all. It was the SA hub.