Any ideas on the name/year/value of this vintage bike?

[NCool]

This bicycle used to be my Grandma's, and was looked after and possibly customised by my Grandad (who owned a bike shop).

Anyone got any ideas of the name, year, or value of the bike? I'm hoping to sell it, as I have no need for it, but I'm wondering what it's actually worth..

I think it's 1930s? Possibly an Elswick Dropped Tube Ladies Bike? It has a 3 speed Sturmey Archer hub gear. Aluminium (lytaloy) brake calipers and brake levers. Possibly a Raleigh, but the badge has been removed. My favourite thing's the seat, which is a Brooks Ladies B66 (new one's for sale at £80..but this one's pretty old)

Any ideas, thoughts or advice welcome...cheers!

 

[midlife]

Looks very 60-70's ... Raleigh Wayfarer?

 

[Hugh Manatee]

There should be a date on the hub. Welcome to the forum.

 

[Cycleops]

Unfortunately value won't be high as it may only be appreciated by us on here. Might be bought just for the Brooks. Shame as it would make a lovely town bike.

 

[Mo1959]

Reminds me of the Rudge I had as a child in the sixties.

 

[Mrs M]

Very nice

 

[NCool]

Thanks for your responses! much appreciated! I've just googled your suggestions and came up with this one :

http://www.recycledbikeshed.co.uk/sales/?attachment_id=363

looks pretty similar! good call

 

[Drago]

70s ish, perhaps early 80s. Hard to be sure as your Gradad could have swapped out a lot of componemts. Frame looks a bit low rent, cheap stamped drop outs etc, although the lines are quite elegant. It has the wrong forks to be a Wayfarer, and the style of fork crown dates it as a relatively recent bike.

As aforementioned, the 4 digit date code on the rear hub will give a date, but we don't know if grandpa swapped the wheel during the rebuild. I would be genuinely surprised if it is from within 3 decades of the 30s.

 

[midlife]

Raleigh Wayfarer badged as a Hercules Balmoral had forks like the OP's.

 

[Drago]

Raleigh Wayfarer badged as a Hercules Balmoral had forks like the OP's.

Good spot. Lugs and chainset all match up too. That would put it in the 1968 to 1982ish age range.

 

[raleighnut]

Nice

Unfortunately not worth a lot in todays market, I'd keep it or donate it to a relative.

 

[Drago]

Looking at some Sturmey Archer sites, that exact style of shifter was introduced in 1966. If we assume it's original, id widen my range of dates slightly to 1966-early eighties, although my gut call is earlier during that period. That still makes it a c.50 year old ride.

Rear hub date code is liable to be the best you'll get, and I'm now keen to find out what that says!

 

[NCool]

Cheers guys! Just checked the rear hub date code: 1982! Much newer than I'd thought!
If it's not worth much, I might just keep it for the saddle and put it on a newer bike... I love the bike, but 3 gears is not enough!

 

[Drago]

It's a straight looking machine and in the classic style, so it's a nice bike in that sense. Add in the link to your Grandpa and it's a wonderful artefact.

 

[raleighnut]

Cheers guys! Just checked the rear hub date code: 1982! Much newer than I'd thought!
If it's not worth much, I might just keep it for the saddle and put it on a newer bike... I love the bike, but 3 gears is not enough!

They were still making that style of bike years later, this one is an 86

I rebuilt with new 700c wheels a square taper BB and new crank (original was steel cottered) and a 2nd hand Brooks B67..........Ooh changed the Handlebars and brakes too.