Unknown Hercules Lightweight

[velo-vecchio]

I have an unknown Hercules with a headbadge I've never seen before. Have a look and let me know if you have any ideas. This bike has a mix of parts. Rear hub is ND Model D. Has Hercules chainring, Super Jet grips and Dunlop-Cambridge saddle. The lugs resemble a Hercules Royal Prince I saw on eBay. I appreciate you looking.

 

[velo-vecchio]

Has tubular rims/tires but then again that could have been swapped out at any time.

 

[dnc1]

The headbadge should look like this.....

It's missing the centre plaque which was celluloid I think.
It's quite common to find them in that condition.
I would think it dates from the 1950s or later judging by the chrome fork crown cover.
Some side view photos would possibly help with identification.
I can't imagine that the ND model D hub in conjunction with sprint rims and tubs is an original fitment.
Likewise the bar system combo, but difficult to say without better photos.

 

[SirMike1983]

I agree it has been parted together. The original wheels would have been English pattern with English hubs. It looks like the old-style "Hercules" chain ring. Red frame with white fenders was one indicator of a Canadian market bike. Better pictures will help. The lugs are not much a help with specific dates because they used those oval lugs for quite awhile.

 

[dubsey55]

Lucky "7",style seat pin is certainly pre war. Could be original , if 26.4 mm(?) hercules frame size. Fork not drilled for caliper brake. Interesting bike, better/more pictures would be good! Many bicycles shipped from England to USA during 1939-40. Helped offset cost of food and war supplies from America. God please bless and protect our two great nations now, as then, and forever!!

 

[velo-vecchio]

 

[velo-vecchio]

this photo is likely of zero value. There’s a 2-digit etching (or maybe is just a scratch) that I can’t make out. No serial number present under bb.

 

[SirMike1983]

1930s - 40s would be my guess. The gallows seat post was used after the war as well for a few years, but it does look pre-1950s to me. Perhaps it was always a single speed with coaster brake, though they would have used something like an Eadie or Perry or similar English coaster and Hercules rims. I used to own a 1946 Hercules Model C with a very similar frame and coaster brake, though mine had front rod brake as well.

Mine originally had a Perry single speed coaster with 10/1946 date code on the arm, though I later retrofitted it with a Sturmey 3-speed coaster to make it a little better on hills. I later sold it and bought in its place a Phillips with 28 inch wheels.

I think yours might be a little earlier with the old-style chain ring and that set up.

 

[velo-vecchio]

1930s - 40s would be my guess. The gallows seat post was used after the war as well for a few years, but it does look pre-1950s to me. Perhaps it was always a single speed with coaster brake, though they would have used something like an Eadie or Perry or similar English coaster and Hercules rims. I used to own a 1946 Hercules Model C with a very similar frame and coaster brake, though mine had front rod brake as well.

View attachment 1339714

Mine originally had a Perry single speed coaster with 10/1946 date code on the arm, though I later retrofitted it with a Sturmey 3-speed coaster to make it a little better on hills. I later sold it and bought in its place a Phillips with 28 inch wheels.

I think yours might be a little earlier with the old-style chain ring and that set up.

That all jives with what I am seeing and thinking. At some point this had all British parts. As I was cleaning it up I noticed an interesting detail on the fork dropout. Left side has a “C” contour to receive wheel spindle and keep in place. Also I haven’t measured but these Model D hubs are the right (short) width to fit the spacing. So I can see why they were used.

other than that it’s a pretty straightforward frame with not many details.

 

[Oilit]

I have a pre-war (I think) Hercules similar to yours posted here:

Pre-War Hercules? | Vintage Lightweight Bicycles

I know Hercules bikes are hard to date to a specific year, but I believe this one is pre-war, just because the only other "Hercules Sports Model" I could find on here is definitely pre-war: https://thecabe.com/forum/threads/hercules-sports-model.96604/ Unfortunately, this one doesn't have the...

thecabe.com

And comparing the two bikes, your fenders look like they're probably original, but the fender stays are a style I haven't seen before. If they're original, they may give a clue to the age. Can we get some close-ups of the attachments to the fenders?