1950's Hercules "Path Racer" - Mistakes were made - Vintage Bicycle Restoration

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Mistakes were made. Mistakes were most definitely made!
You join me on part 1 of my Path Racer build. I’ve had this sat around for a while now but it’s finally time to make a move. I bought the frame and forks from eBay (mistake) because it was a perfect frame size for me, looked to be a good age and I loved the lugs. It turns out, this frame probably wasn’t the best to invest in. The paintwork had been thoroughly stripped and badly resprayed. The pump pegs had been horribly cut off and worst of all, the forks were really damaged.
At the first sign of damage I should have binned them. I’m stupid for even attempting to make them fit. It was not a good idea and it wasn’t a safe idea. I’ve let myself down a lot here by attempting to use them and for that I can only apologise.
Of course it’s also possible the frame is damaged too so I’ll also be keeping my eyes out for a new frame... just in case.
All this terrible stuff with the frame and forks aside, I’m chosing a careful combination of parts to get the exact look I want. I was a sleek, and fast looking path racer. I will be riding it fixed gear with the option of single speed. I’ve always wanted a set of lauterwasser bars and this was the perfect opportunity for them.
Mistakes aside, I hope you enjoy the build and the end result in this episode as much as I do. Go easy on me ;)

[@markbudd8432]

These videos get better all the time! Please keep the mistakes in Mark. It's what makes this site interesting. Also loved the music in this clip. Handlebars look great and really go well with this bike..

[@MonkeyShred]

Thanks! Mistakes are part of the learning process so I think they should be shown along with everything else.

[@orirbjrk5573]

Really a nice build. She looks mighty.

[@rainbowhiker]

These rebuilds are great. I learn things here and there. Wonderful bringing this bike back to life. It looks fantastic.

[@pieface1726]

your attention to detail is really great, makes the video really enjoyable and educational to watch. great video!

[@barszczyk2478]

This is your best restoration, I not watched ever ysingle video but this is your best bike, hope you,ll find right lamp

[@MonkeyShred]

Thanks. Check out the rest too ;)

[@simoncutler5542]

You done a very good job restoring this old retro well done

[@MonkeyShred]

Thanks!

[@benspeedschannel888]

Nice work! Can't wait to see the end result 👍👍

[@craigs6868]

My guess would be that the stem has been overtightened and over time the wedge has stretched the metal of the steering tube. As usual, a wonderful restoration!

[@MonkeyShred]

I was thinking that too. Originally I thought it had been cut and welded but that was my second thought. I'm now leaning towards a crash..

[@thesmf1210]

@@MonkeyShred nope, not a crash, clearly at some point the quill stem was stuck solid in there and somebody has used something to hit it from the bottom to try and get it out, unfortunately all that will do is cause the steerer of the forks to stretch from the wedge as it moves outwards still, seen this explained on another youtubers video

[@bordebomb6631]

Nice vids mate but I cringe whenever you bring the adjustable wrench into play rather than the right size spanner...:)

[@johnelliott5923]

You do good work love learning from you!

[@MonkeyShred]

I appreciate that!

[@alexandercurtis2740]

Ted Woodall built the Hercules tdf team bikes he had a shop on croydon

[@therealkakkamakkara]

the steerer looked uniform. i think someone just massively overtightened the stem causing the deformation of the tube. or perhaps the expansion was caused by corrosion sometime in it's history.

[@MonkeyShred]

The over tightening has been mentioned a few times and I think that would be a likely cause now.

[@therealkakkamakkara]

@@MonkeyShred Sorry. Didn't look far enough. Thank you for answering.

[@lionvillelion]

really like the looks of this bike.

[@leecollins390]

Lovin your channel doing the same sort of thing here in france.Noticed you struggling with grips.use ladies hair laqueur,spay inside grips,lubricates so they slide on then drys and sticks.Screwdriver under and WD40 to release,just sayin.. love the build,et bon continu.

[@MonkeyShred]

I normally just spray on some lock de-icer. It actually seems to work really well 😅

[@ReCycledCycler]

Looks like crash damage, have you taken a straight edge to the top and down tubes coming out of the headtube?

[@MonkeyShred]

I have since and yes - it is slightly bent :(

[@jetfuelnz8933]

Hello love the videos helps me with my bikes alot when im needing advice ive just bought a 1910 bsa pathracer be good to get your imput on it... maybe I could make a short video so you could see anyways keep it up

[@swingkid100]

Looking great so far. My favourite shape handlebar, are they old ones? I have a modern pair and found brake lever choice a bit of a challenge also. At present I'm using some alloy ball ended levers, with the suitable clamps. They work fine but aren't really in keeping with the 1930/40s style I am keen on. I found some repro rubber grips that were tough to stretch on, but are comfortable and are hard wearing. My father built up a similar machine to yours, and used some lovely 'shock stop' grips. These are ideal as they are quite short, allowing plenty of straight bar section for the brake levers. Again these seem to have been a short repro run that were available from Hillary Stone. They sold out quickly before I could order a pair for myself. Looking forward to seeing the finished bike, in my view, a far more pleasing option than the Pashley offerings! Keep up the good work and all the best!

[@MonkeyShred]

Those style grips were on my list too. Unfortunately finding a good pair is hard to come by. I am keeping my eye out for the "right" pair.

[@betotrono]

Oh man that chainring is rad. I'm super excited to see the finished product. The grips look kind of shoddy with the new cut - maybe use sandpaper to round off the edge where you cut it? Even still the space between the end of the grip and the clamp isn't super pleasing to the eye IMO. Would cork bar tape ruin the aesthetic you're going for? Then it could run right up to the clamp.

[@MonkeyShred]

I will be sanding it down. The cut is too rough at the moment for sure! Cork bar tape, no I don't think that would suit the image I have unfortunately.

[@betotrono]

Whew, I can rest easy!

[@AdelaideGraffScene]

Hey man, any tips on lug lining? What did you use to do it? Should make a tutorial vid!! Cheers

[@MonkeyShred]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/Z4DSaoqtr9iFbck

[@davestambaugh7282]

I was wondering when you were going to remove the head patch and show everyone what the color or coloure was.

[@scottbramley1778]

I have a ladies Hercules bike I think from the 1930's, the original paint is pretty good with some chips. In your opinion is it be better to keep the original destressed paint & treat any rust or should I respray & redo the lug lines? Also could you please do a video on the products & tools you use as I'm sure others would b interested too.

[@MonkeyShred]

The finish wholely depends on your preference. I like to keep the original paintwork as much as possible especially if the decals are in good condition. I think I have done a video on tools before. :)

[@scottbramley1778]

@@MonkeyShred Thanks I found you tool video, very informative. Can you please tell me the place you get your decals from?

[@wcronin7307]

Cotter pin drive side put the wrong way?

[@MonkeyShred]

Are you asking me or telling me?

[@64251973rrg]

The cause of exponding on the middle of steerer is due to over tights the team bolts

[@jerryavalos9610]

That bump was because of the wedge. I wonder if you could of given the original fork to a machinist to see how badly out of quilter they were and see if any machine work could of salvaged the fork.

[@woden20]

Hair spray for grips, ready the next day like glue but able to be removed later.

[@metalhead7752]

I need the same handlebar

🚴

[@johnelliott5923]

Where do I get a set of these Handel bars and what is there name?

[@MonkeyShred]

Lauterwasser. I believe SOMA make some replicas but genuine ones, although hard to find, do pop up on eBay occasionally.

[@anthonylanemusic]

Beautiful frame - even if it is finished in black (WHY?!) Kudos for trying the cork grips although they're not looking great IMHO especially considering how well the rest of the project is going so far. Looking forward to the wheel building. Great channel mate, keep em coming.

[@MonkeyShred]

Black and chrome with the gold detailing seemed like a super classy way to go. I like it :) I am a bit torn on the cork. I've never used them before but thought I might give them a whirl. See how they go.

[@anthonylanemusic]

I wasn't being serious - I agree black & gold is classic. I'm just allergic to black bikes. A beautiful thing like that deserves to be, well... flambouyant I suppose! I have a feeling it's going to be a treat to ride.

[@MonkeyShred]

Allergic to black bikes 😂 Which colour would you have gone with? I did own a bright pink / purple MBk a few years ago. That thing was certainly flamboyant and if I ever find it again - I’ll buy it back!

[@anthonylanemusic]

I actually thought the gold was nice, but that would have messed up the lug lining which does look super classy. Purely a statement of taste, but I would have gone with a paler colour, maybe a pastel blue or green. The gold lug lining wouldn't have had so much contrast but would lose none of its class. Bright pink would be my other suggestion, if you're man enough to ride it! :D

[@MonkeyShred]

Oh behind the badge? Oh yeh that would have been nice too. Man enough to ride bright pink?! Of course I am! function88.wordpress.com/category/bicycles/mbk-trainer-c-1990-fixed-gear-v-2/

[@Zeben84]

Nice Bike and nice clean ;) ! I miss the Ride 365 videos tho, what happened, did you stop recording your rides ?

[@MonkeyShred]

I am still riding but I'm not recording everything. An old back injury really flared up and I've been having some therapy and core strengthening stuff to correct it. Gutted when I had to stop

[@metalhead7752]

Hey bro I really need your help here. I just bought a old Hercules. I'm from southern India The previous owner claims that it's a 1928 model. I saw the serial number in frame that says 1757 fx. Do you have any idea

[@elcompaalacran9401]

Jan 7th 1957?

[@griftereck]

do you need to be as strong as Hercules to pick the bike up?

[@MonkeyShred]

It's not too bad. The wheels may add a bit though!

[@griftereck]

yeah. Ive had a bunch of old bikes like that. Had a couple Hercules Balmorals. Didnt seem any heavier than other bikes of similar type

[@caddyman7725]

Where did you get the Lauterwasser Bars?

[@MonkeyShred]

eBay! There's always a few floating around but be prepared to pay a fair whack for them!

[@walkstall8390]

Why on earth would you not grease your threads?? Steerer or BB...

[@MonkeyShred]

I have no idea why. I usually do. Nobody likes a seized BB

[@escapegoat3472]

Is the headset issue not down to a poorly seated crown race?

[@escapegoat3472]

Paint under the crown race can be an issue

[@MonkeyShred]

I don't think so. It seemed to be seated pretty level to me. It's fixed now anyway with the new forks and saves me finding the right crown race.

[@catherinesmyth6060]

Couldn't he have replaced the steerer tube and kept the original fork?

[@MrJonas2255]

Not economically

[@bullwhipjohnson8247]

One thing you might try. Because I've noticed that it's worked for you in the past is narrating your build videos after you've edited them. You'll be more sure and less tentative about what you're saying.

[@MonkeyShred]

I don't think I've ever done a voice over have I? I kind of like the ambient noises in the back ground.

[@chrislongwill3881]

Yes, I agree. It is almost tortuous trying to listen to him. And the video while he's talking just drags and drags. Other than that, I really like his restorations.

[@RediHazbiu]

More than arrow head that sign looks more like a spades symbol to me.

[@jackhammer40k_]

can you not trim the bottom off a quill stem?

[@MonkeyShred]

Yeh, I'd probably have to extend the relief channel too.

[@jackhammer40k_]

i see

[@aboassamAno]

انا احب الداراجات الانككليزيه

[@georgebamber6871]

How do you remove fork crowns?

[@MonkeyShred]

The race can be knocked off with a screwdriver / hammer. The cap can usually be pulled off after if it has one.

[@andywalford7544]

The down tube looks bent- has is been frontended? Explains the steerer tube deformation too

[@MonkeyShred]

It's a possibility. I'd hedge my bets on yes :(

[@RaceJan]

Shame of the (auto-adjusting) mid-70's brake levers. Also not a fan of the cork grips. Other than that she's coming along nicely!

[@MonkeyShred]

Auto adjusting? You're going to have to enlighten me on that one. Cork grips are a trial. I'm still undecided with them but I want to see how they perform.

[@RaceJan]

All the info you will need (plus the parts you seem to miss at the moment) are in this video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/sJnLoJWwdquYe9E Enjoy :-) The clip on the brake lever gave it away, I had these on my first Raleigh back in 1975

[@MonkeyShred]

Oh man I’ve never seen those before! They’re pretty cool. I definitely wouldn’t run the adjusters on this bike though.

[@Jazzwayze]

Hi MS: Not wishing to teach egg sucking, but here are a couple of links for you; which you might not have seen. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hercules_Cycle_and_Motor_Company www.gracesguide.co.uk/Hercules_Cycle_and_Motor_Co Hope that helps There is even a link on the Wiki page to a pic of Granville's shop bike! Sort of! Lol! JW

[@MonkeyShred]

Hey JW. I have seen all those thanks :) It's where I got a lot of my information from.

[@OppoA-ki7hi]

Hercules made in ENGLAND UK

[@MonkeyShred]

Yup. Birmingham.

[@chronicfish]

5462 , .. most likely this was made in the year 54' (hence the 54 at the beginning of the serial number). The 6 would usually indicate the month the frame was built.. the 2 would most probab;y be the number of the bike

[@MonkeyShred]

Ah right, I figured the 54 would be year, bike number 2 of the month would be pretty cool though!

[@jasperedwards3341]

hercules is a german bicyle company

[@MonkeyShred]

en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hercules_Cycle_and_Motor_Company Not this one.

[@jasperedwards3341]

i had a 70s racing bike double brake levers it been in tour defrance i had for a gift in 84

[@nellynelson965]

you cant leave it unfinished ffs

[@MonkeyShred]

I'm not - don't worry :)

[@peterbridge9394]

Huge error to take that much steerer tube off. Oh well.

[@MonkeyShred]

Whys that? It's perfectly stacked.

[@peterbridge9394]

@@MonkeyShred because future flexibility has been deleted. Future headset with higher stack height? Sorry, too bad.

[@MonkeyShred]

@@peterbridge9394 You know the standard is to only have one spacer in the headset right? With all adjustability coming from the quill stem in terms of height theres no need for stacks of spacers on a steerer unless you're thinking of threadless.

[@gogobozoblack9301]

Stop HACK !!!!!!

[@MonkeyShred]

Eh?