Any help would be appreciated

[Danz]

Hi all, just signed up, i'm in London uk, i'm an addict for old bikes.

I've got this old bike and can't find out what model/year it is, it has no head badge and has had many hand painted coats, i have found a number under the bottom bracket housing 040 and another on the seat tube 61471, it has wood on the pedals instead of rubber, someone has suggested it is circa 1937 by the rear hub, any help would be great.

Dan.

 

[TFScott]

I had a lot of fun researching this, but there are a lot of bikes that look the same... I focused on handlebar shape, sprocket, and shifter features and still came up unknown. I did find a couple of bike shops online that do work on older bikes in England. You might want to see if they can make sense of the numbers. You have quite a bit to go on so I am sure if you dig hard enough you will find out. Thanks for sharing.

 

[cyclingday]

Nice old bike!
Welcome to the Cabe.
Be sure, and let us know, what you find out about it.

 

[Oilit]

It's English, but that doesn't narrow it down but so much, as you probably know. And I don't think Sturmey-Archer made that style of hub past the late '30's, so '37 sounds right. I'll tag some people who may know more. @SirMike1983, @dnc1, @3-speeder, @bulldog1935, @rennfaron, @juvela

 

[ccmerz]

Looks like a SUNBEAM (make)

 

[bricycle]

Hi, Wood pedals so likely WW2 war time 41- 45 ish my educated guess.

 

[Danz]

Hello all, thanks for your replies, i forgot to say that i ride the bike anytime i go to my lockup, it picks up speed very quickly, i get some strange looks when i ride it to the shops, i fired off a couple of emails tonight so i might get a bit more info, here is a pic of an old 1955 Raleigh i have too. I ride this one also.

 

[Frank and Pam Skid Kings]

Hi, Wood pedals so likely WW2 war time 41- 45 ish my educated guess.

I agree war production because of pedals, but England entered the war in 1939 and started preparing for the war in 1938. The white paint on rear fender was to conform to law passed in 1934 because of bicycle accidents. If it looks factory painted on this would also mean post 1934. Looks like 37 to 45 is your time frame.

 

[dnc1]

Hi @Danz,

welcome to the Cabe, good to see another person from the UK on here, there aren't many of us!
Some interesting and informative posts have been made above.

It can be very hard to identify British bikes from this period as there were still so many manufacturers, and even more marques.
As @ccmerz said above it looks like a Sunbeam, and it certainly does, bit I don't have the expertise to be 100% certain.
It's definitely very similar to a ladies bike from the period that I have, that I believe to be a Sunbeam also.

Regarding the rear hub, try an internet search for ' K series S-A hubs'; it should lead you to a pdf by the world expert on S-A hubs Tony Hadland. This could help with dating your machine.
The frame number is the one on your seat lug.
The number under the bottom bracket is the casting number for that lug.

I would thoroughly recommend joining the VC-C in the UK (The Veteran Cycle-Club) if you are into older bikes.
Not only for the amazing magazines and literature available, but also the wealth of knowledge, the invaluable online library, friendly people and regular rides that they organise all over the UK (when lockdown restrictions are lifted of course).
There are several London groups within the club and they are pretty active on the riding front.
Don't worry about the strange looks you've been getting, you will get used to them, eventually!

 

[razinhellcustomz]

Hi all, just signed up, i'm in London uk, i'm an addict for old bikes.

I've got this old bike and can't find out what model/year it is, it has no head badge and has had many hand painted coats, i have found a number under the bottom bracket housing 040 and another on the seat tube 61471, it has wood on the pedals instead of rubber, someone has suggested it is circa 1937 by the rear hub, any help would be great.

Dan.

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I'm thinking Rudge or a Sunbeam maybe pre war depending on the year. Welcome to the CABE. Your bike looks SPOT ON in any case. Cheers
Razin.