Two Antique Bicycles Followed Us Home from the Flea Market: A Hercules and a Mystery Bike!

[@HansensUniverseT-A]

I actually daily a 1930s, Norwegian made, even with the original dynamo and headlight, i serviced the dynamo this year, mostly just needs a few drops of oil now and then, there are oiling holes everywhere which makes servicing quick and it works well, one thing one will notice is how well the steel and paint hold up on these, they don't rust out, they just develop a slight patina, they were manufactured to be ridden for generations on dirt roads.

[@bikestrikesrazors]

Good on you for keeping that bike in service! You're absolutely correct- These bikes were built at a time when bicycles were built to, and did, take a beating through daily use and perform well for generations. Thanks for watching!

[@toshaveornottoshave-4804]

Joe and Rich, my respects, the bicycle is one of the greatest inventions of mankind, all the advantages cannot be overestimated

[@bikestrikesrazors]

You are absolutely correct, Oleg! It's almost as critical to the development of mankind as the straight razor! :)

[@michaelquinones-lx6ks]

The 28" tires are making a come back!

[@bikestrikesrazors]

I hope so! I could use some cheap 28" single tube tires!

[@michaelquinones-lx6ks]

@@bikestrikesrazors I failed to mention that the 28" tires are 1X5/8" that takes standard inter tubes. And, Thank you for responding to my comments.

[@bikestrikesrazors]

@@michaelquinones-lx6ks Thanks for the comment, Michael!

[@RutherfordRyan1]

@@michaelquinones-lx6ks Michael …did you mean to say 28”x 1” 3/8” tyres ? Grew up with those here in Australia Standard In their millions in China and India til recently Best wishes

[@michaelquinones-lx6ks]

@@RutherfordRyan1 Thank you for answering my comment, its greatly appreciated.

[@shakedydogshake]

The handlebars on the Hercules, are absolutely awesome!!!!!

[@bikestrikesrazors]

I'm gonna have to get that bike into ridable shape one of these days. :)

[@Johann-4354]

Ride 'em.

[@bikestrikesrazors]

Good idea! :)

[@LuizCampos-jc9jx]

AÍ SIM, CICLISTA RAIZ.GUERREIROS DE FATO.

[@GoodTimeBikes]

Two gems worth saving! Great finds my friend! A couple bikes like those would have followed me home too!

[@bikestrikesrazors]

I'm glad I don't see stuff like this often- I'd run out of space awful quickly! :)

[@GoodTimeBikes]

@@bikestrikesrazors Lol you and me both!

[@babuddha]

Heh... just watching an old 39-43 Harley restoration and the one asked "do you know how much rechroming costs?" Other responded, "yeah... that's why rust -- er... natural patina -- is in fashion. What did you decide to do with these two? Given that the Hercules was already repainted several times, it strikes me as a prime candidate for restoration... and I kinda lean to restoration because it slows the deterioration in relation to leaving it as is wall art. BSA seems like a strong candidate for IDing the black bike. The front sprocket is similar (not quite the same) as BSA bikes I was able to find online. You mentioned that the handlebars are not original... in the pics I found, the braking mechanism was integrated with the handlebars.

[@bikestrikesrazors]

Hey, Babuddha! We haven't done much with either bike so far, as other projects have gotten in the way. I was told that the handlebars and seat were likely not original on the black bike, but I have my doubts as they both date. I suppose it's possible that someone "way back when" wanted to turn it into less of a racer and more of a comfort bike- It's all lost to history now. Don't get me started on the cost of restoring bikes. I have a video up in which I document the restoration of a 1927 Hercules bicycle. I thought I was getting a good deal on the bike, as I picked up the already newly painted frame and parts (parts needed work) for only $700. Well, I had to re-chrome a bunch of parts, rebuild the wheels (with new wood rims), rebuild the saddle, and on and on. Eventually, it wound up costing upwards of $3500 (!) for the completely restored bike. If someone would've offered me the restored bike for that price, I would've laughed in their face! That's what happens when you get sucked down a rabbit hole! Consider yourself warned. :)

[@babuddha]

@@bikestrikesrazors-- Actually, that was the first of your videos that I watched.

[@dinodaniel2237]

Great video! Awesome bicycles .

[@bikestrikesrazors]

Thanks very much, Daniel!

[@wrightflyer7855]

At this rate you'll be able to open your own antique bike museum in a couple years. When I was in the bike business from the Fall of '72 until the early '80s, customers would occasionally bring in bikes with New Departure coaster brakes for repair. By accident I found a hardware store that was selling all its NOS bike parts and tools, including a New Departure disc alignment tool and odd-size crank cotter pins. You never know what you need until you need it.

[@bikestrikesrazors]

Wow, that alignment tool must be a rare bird! I wonder how many of those ND brakes are still on the road! Can't be too many people that know how to work on them.

[@wrightflyer7855]

@@bikestrikesrazors The good thing is that many NOS components are still available, are generally of high quality and easily serviced. No electronic nuttin'. If I could still ride a two-wheeler I'd definitely start with a Columbus or Reynolds frame and go from there. BTW, I imagine you've already discovered Sheldon Brown's excellent website.

[@robertmyers5269]

@@bikestrikesrazors My first bike was a 24" Rollfast hand me down from a cousin. It had a ND brake. A couple of tears later I rebuilt the brake. I recall I had a couple of discs left over. The grease I used made the brake pack thicker. I still feel that the ND was superior to the shoe on shell style coaster brakes (like Bendix). But they must have been more expensive to manufacture, and were definitely more difficult to service.

[@bikestrikesrazors]

@@robertmyers5269 Hi Robert! Some of those Rollfast bikes are highly sought after now. Those ND brakes were around for so long, they must have done something right!

[@asork]

Love the handlebar

[@bikestrikesrazors]

Some of those early bars are pretty cool! :)

[@markfeldman6509]

Great find! Looks like you have some research to do and hopefully you have the time to restore these to use or to flip/sell to a collector for a nice profit!

[@bikestrikesrazors]

Hey, Mark! I'm already working on another Hercules restoration, but these will now take their place in line!

[@markfeldman6509]

@@bikestrikesrazors you are creating an awful lot of tasks for your free time. Enjoy the journey. Come visit and ride New England with me next summer. I have multiple trikes, road bikes and recumbents. I’m heading to Florida in 3 weeks for four months of fun , Sun , riding and golf. Have a great holiday season.

[@bikestrikesrazors]

I'd love to do some traveling in the future, but my "regular" business keeps me too busy right now. Have fun in Florida!

[@markfeldman6509]

@@bikestrikesrazors time to give up that work distraction and enjoy life! I’m driving south in 3 weeks! Can’t wait! Have a great holiday season!

[@jimhuddle6885]

Sweet finds. For sure I'd have to at least try and get one back on road. Mostly likely start with the black one. I'd be too driven to see if repainted and refurbished to let it just sit around as a display. Although, I would try my best to identify first to make sure I'm not destroying a unique piece of cyling history. Congrats on the finds.

[@bikestrikesrazors]

I know, right? I hate to see things not getting used. I've already got two old timers I'm restoring right now, so when I'm done with those, I may try and do just enough to get these on the road and not a full blown resto.

[@stewartmcclellan]

I would love to find bikes like those

[@bikestrikesrazors]

Hi Stewart! I got spoiled that day and for some reason, expected the flood gates of old bikes to open at the flea markets I visit. Alas, it didn't happen! :)

[@marthagomez7335]

I have a Hercules and a senator bike also, I have another very old bike. I don’t know what company made it. It has sketched on it “made in Mexico “

[@bikestrikesrazors]

Those sound like cool bikes, Martha! Enjoy them and thanks for watching!

[@apj341]

Mike Wolfe from Antique Archeology in Iowa could have some guesses on the black bike's maker. How much did you pay for these flea market bikes? Wall art isn't such a bad thing, just high enough to be out of the way 👍

[@bikestrikesrazors]

Hi APJ! I didn't break the bank on the two bikes, between their condition and lack of name on the black bike, the seller was pretty reasonable. :)

[@breathestrongcycling3672]

The Hercules looks like it could be put back on the road.....I definitely would try if it was mine 👍

[@bikestrikesrazors]

You guys are killing me! I'll probably take some time off after I finish the two bikes I'm dealing with now and then tear into these two. :)

[@frankcanongrape5811]

I believe the “black bike” is Hercules as well, based on the fork and cranks. That is just my observation.

[@bikestrikesrazors]

Hey Frank! It very well could be. The only thing that throws me (and you can't really tell in the video) is that the bike has really thin Reynolds tubing. If Hercules made it, it would've been some kind of special lightweight model.

[@tommycoffey3322]

Riding in bedroom shoes?

[@toshaveornottoshave-4804]

In India, I observed bicycles of the colonial era, incredibly durable judging by the way their frame is arranged...

[@bikestrikesrazors]

I've seen some of those Indian bikes, Oleg. They build them like tanks, so I wouldn't be surprised if they lasted generations.

[@toshaveornottoshave-4804]

@@bikestrikesrazors It is so)

[@robertmyers5269]

Really nice bikes. I'd lean towards trying to get at least one on the road. Probably the red Hercules as there is less original character left. Modern 700C or 27" wheels with wider (32..38mm) tires, and of course, as there doesn't seem to be brake drilling, keep it fixed gear.

[@bikestrikesrazors]

Thanks for the comment, Robert! Yep, that black bike is pretty complete, I'd hate to start stripping original stuff off it to make it more ridable. Slap some cheap Dutch style wheels on the Hercules and it should be ridable. :)

[@alexkin3204]

Сегодня по случаю купил калькхофф 70ых...не много ржавчины,не дорого..15 евр в метало приемке.люблю ретро байки...приятно будет отремонтировать его

[@bikestrikesrazors]

15 евро за винтажный велосипед Kalkhoff! Звучит как сделка для меня. Немцы сделали несколько интересных мотоциклов в 70-х и 80-х годах! Наслаждаться!

[@alexkin3204]

@@bikestrikesrazors У нас в Литве много привозят из Европы б/у...а этот поехал в металоприемку хотел вело детали ретро посмотреть у них..а там вел целый..цена кг 1 евр..колеса стальные потому и вес такой..буду ставить алюмобод

[@bikestrikesrazors]

@@alexkin3204 Много хороших старых велосипедов во Франции. У меня был один 1921 года, присланный сюда из Франции. У него тоже стальные колеса. Очень тяжело! У меня есть друг на дипломатической службе, который провел два года в Литве! Ему пришлось купить несколько тяжелых курток. Зимой очень холодно по сравнению с Калифорнией! :)

[@thenflywjaz6917]

Black frame bike looks a lot like early Birmingham Small Arms.

[@bikestrikesrazors]

Thanks very much for the information!

[@nurlan.rakhmanov.9318]

👍

[@toshaveornottoshave-4804]

The steering wheel may need to be turned over?

[@bikestrikesrazors]

I think you're right, Oleg! It would certainly make it easier to ride. :)

[@toshaveornottoshave-4804]

@@bikestrikesrazors I thought so too

[@filmaker256]

Any new antique bikes anything from 1910

[@bikestrikesrazors]

I'd love to get a bike that old. They seem to be more prevalent on the East coast. Not many here in California. I did find a (I think) 30's track bike not too long ago. Here's the video link: kzbin.info/www/bejne/o6uug6Oega2CpKM

[@michaelwalters7554]

Re grease, put new wheels , check the frames and ride them as they look.

[@bikestrikesrazors]

Sounds like a plan to me! Thanks, Michael!

[@michaelwalters7554]

@@bikestrikesrazors That's what I did to the 63 Schwinn varsity. greased, new tires, bought a spare set of wheels, changed the rear freewheel with a 6 speed 13 to 34 tooth, replaced the cables, housing, brake pads , a cheap 10 dollar used tri saddle, and sourcing a replacement bolt for the o.e quill stem due to it stripping threads. Thats pretty much it. I can send pics .

[@bikestrikesrazors]

@@michaelwalters7554 I don't think you can send pics here (maybe I'm wrong), but you can send them to [e-mail].

[@billkallas1762]

But can you get tires?

[@bikestrikesrazors]

Unfortunately, no, not for those wheels. You need the single tube tires. Robert Dean is making them, but they are expensive, and he says they're for display only and not for riding (even though some folks do ride on them).

[@brucefarrar7359]

I love your antiques but cannot comment on them - am not a collector. Have a question though - I was able to rescue my cousin's childhood bike (it is about 60 years old) but do not know what to do with it. I do know it is not worth a lot of money but it is complete with original paint and components. I cannot keep it forever so would like to see it live on as a display piece or even light duty use for someone who would appreciate it. So far I cannot find anyone interested in this small town but only a half-hearted effort to be honest. Local bike shop does not want it. It is a girl's step through which I am told are less desirable to collectors. Any ideas?

[@bikestrikesrazors]

Hi Bruce, I'd try Craigslist or if there's a local "Tweed Ride" group in your area, they might be interested in that type of bike. Thanks, Rich

[@Driessens_Peter]

going of on the dropouts, the red one is post wo2.

[@bikestrikesrazors]

Thanks for the information!

[@pitbak5129]

is it pashley?

[@bikestrikesrazors]

Could be. The head tube decal is so worn, I can't make it out.

[@michaelquinones-lx6ks]

If i had a black bicycle like that i would replace it with a shimano 3 speed coaster brake hub with 700c wheels and 700X35c tires. plus, the handle bars will still be original handle bars that came with it. and, as for that cotter pin crankset it will be replaced with a standard tapered single chainring aluminum crankset. Also, that old seat will be replaced with a with a wide seat meant for beach cruiser/mountain bikes.

[@luckylifeonwheels626]

Restore them

[@bikestrikesrazors]

More than likely we eventually will, Rob! Thanks for watching!