harpon
Finally riding a big boys bike
Got this frame a few months ago from Craigslist. An early 60's Nottingham Hercules apparently. I actually resisted it for weeks, because of too much time on bikes, but for $20 I thought "What the Herk". I had some 27" 3 speed coaster wheels from an 80's World Tourist, and the bars are from there too. Here's what's done at this point:
There was some spacing difficulty on the rear axle , but nothing bad. Replacing the Sturmey Archer with a Shimano coaster three speed I suppose. The seat post was a pain in the keester, being a 25mm seat tube and not a 1 inch 25 .4- so I spent time filing down one that I had, that I think was even a 25mm I ordered for another be a few tears back and then apparently still just a 25.4. Rather than not be sure ordering I spent time filing it down.
The bike is incredibly light, with no handbrakes yet, and feels like picking up a track bike - almost. The 27 x 1 1/4 tires of course are lighter and roll better. I wanted to replace the steel crank because I detest the large 48 rings they always put on three speeds, but can't pound the cotters out- it all lubricates with heavy gear oil down the seat tube, so it spins quite nicely.
I originally thought I'd just put it together and turn it over, but I have a 350 watt 700 c wheel hub I think I might put on, with a battery on a rear rack and saddlebag baskets. For that I'll have to replace the fork because this one takes only a tiny little axle diameter, or I'd have a alloy rim on the front already too, with a 1 1/8 tire. I also see in the light of the sun that the paint around the head badge is a bit thin and needs some more touch. The paint is Folk Art Shimmer Christmas green and gold, and then clear coated.
Happy Cycling and watch out for lunatics.
There was some spacing difficulty on the rear axle , but nothing bad. Replacing the Sturmey Archer with a Shimano coaster three speed I suppose. The seat post was a pain in the keester, being a 25mm seat tube and not a 1 inch 25 .4- so I spent time filing down one that I had, that I think was even a 25mm I ordered for another be a few tears back and then apparently still just a 25.4. Rather than not be sure ordering I spent time filing it down.
The bike is incredibly light, with no handbrakes yet, and feels like picking up a track bike - almost. The 27 x 1 1/4 tires of course are lighter and roll better. I wanted to replace the steel crank because I detest the large 48 rings they always put on three speeds, but can't pound the cotters out- it all lubricates with heavy gear oil down the seat tube, so it spins quite nicely.
I originally thought I'd just put it together and turn it over, but I have a 350 watt 700 c wheel hub I think I might put on, with a battery on a rear rack and saddlebag baskets. For that I'll have to replace the fork because this one takes only a tiny little axle diameter, or I'd have a alloy rim on the front already too, with a 1 1/8 tire. I also see in the light of the sun that the paint around the head badge is a bit thin and needs some more touch. The paint is Folk Art Shimmer Christmas green and gold, and then clear coated.
Happy Cycling and watch out for lunatics.
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