A Rustic Thread - Yesterday In Pics...

[Aperitif]

Parked immediately outside work was this fine example. No chain (security measure?) but splendid in rust!
Maybe some of the older members of this forum - Fab, Mickle, Dayvo etc could throw some extra light on the provenance of this bike.
Hoping that any replies might help the education of younger members of our cycling fraternity- such as Rich P, Postman and myself - for example

Another sunny day - enjoy every moment.

 

[Hilldodger]

It's 1950's and English but I can't make out the head badge.

It was a high quality bike when new.

Is it still there?

 

[Aperitif]

Not at work yet HD. I have another photo which gives the game away though...

 

[Globalti]

Fascinating. Those cottered cranks take me back a bit.

I have enlarged the picture of the head tube and still can't read the maker's name. Can anybody else read it or recognise it? I thought itmight be Humber but Sheldon says they had a distinctive chainring with little people running around it.

 

[mr_hippo]

It's a Hercules - head badge same as http://www.classicrendezvous.com/British_isles/Hercules.htm
Rear mech early Campag Gran Sport: double at front changed to single: Pedals - Phillips
Possibly about 1953/1955

 

[Saddle bum]

Looks like a Benelux front changer. The rear could be one of their later campag copies, the name of which escapes me.

 

[rich p]

Ah yes my Dad had one of those! The chainless Hercules was superceded by the Rolls Canardly if I'm not mistaken

 

[Rhythm Thief]

Does the owner take the chain off to prevent his bike being pinched, do you think?

 

[yenrod]

Does the owner take the chain off to prevent his bike being pinched, do you think?

If I took my chain off as a security measure then id have to buy a new one !

 

[Aperitif]

If I took my chain off as a security measure then id have to buy a new one !

Let's hope you don't try that with your outside privvy Lee. (S'right that oop North it's all outside lavs innit? )

Well done Mr Hippo - it is still there this morning - unloved...so far

 

[postman]

As a senior person now.I love that,thank you.It should be a crime to allow a bike to get into that condition.I can see the beauty of it even now.I wonder what history it has.The badge is a work of art.So old bike i salute you.

 

[Dayvo]

As a very young 48-year-old, I take umbrage at being considered learned, wise, knowledgeable, er, old!

Looks like it fell out of a time machine.

No, I don't recognise it, but it looks like it was a class bike many moons ago.
A good renovation object, possibly.

 

[simonali]

double at front changed to single

Don't fink so; there are 2 chainrings on there, they're just very close together in size.

 

[simonali]

What I find amazing is that it has an intact Ever Ready rear light. When I had one of those years ago the red lens bit used to pop off and distribute my batteries across the road every time I went over a bump!

 

[Aperitif]

The poor bike was still tethered as I left work this evening

Simon - it probably is a two chainring thing - about two teeth difference I guess!

And Dayvo - you're too young to be called old - it's just that you always seem to be so 'elderly' in your experienced comments!

Today I saw another couple of olde bykes tethered to posts...Hmmm.