by: 154.5.37.225
If you are trying to determine the genealogy of your bicycle by it's features, go to our Vintage Bicycle Price Guide
which details bicycle features, wheel sizes, brake types, etc., as well as showing a price estimate for your old bicycle.
If you are trying to determine the make and model of your bicycle, go to our Vintage Bicycle Picture Database
which details bicycle features, wheel sizes, etc., as well as showing a price estimate for your vintage bicycle.
| I picked up a 62 Raleigh built Rollfast "Royal" 3 speed this morning.Red metalic no fenders fair shape.Can anyone tell me the signifigance of the Sturmey Archer trigger shift with the printing upside down?Wondering how this came about?This appears to have original alloy calipers and levers. Rear fender bridge is still under the rear caliper.Original white pedals and grips all in fair shape.Interesting decal says Made in England for DL Harris Hardware and Manufacturing Co.Inc.Rollfast Building New York. by: 24.58.64.136 |
| I think the older shifters have the text "upside-down." My vague recollection is that the shifters were officially mounted below the handlebar. It was obvious to us kids that they were easier to operate mounted above the bar, which later was recognized by reversing the text. Anyone else recall this? by: 66.30.200.82 |
| David you're correct. I'm not sure when they changed (1960's?), but all of the '50's vintage shifters I've seen had the "upside down" text facing away from the rider. by: 68.190.181.19 |
| They were designed for operation from the "drops" on club bikes. by: 70.51.139.117 |
| Check this out for a little trigger history: http://genetics.mgh.harvard.edu/hanczyc/pdfs/satriggers.pdf This might provide a little more insight on trigger design. by: 68.190.181.19 |
| For those of us as inept as myself try using google and simply put in Sturmey Archer Trigger.Took me right to the trigger site.Thanks Craig for the info. by: 24.58.64.136 |
| I use a pair of "GC3B"s, one "up" reading, one "down" for my S5/2 equipped cruiser. Both read away from me so that the last thing people I run over see is that delightful Sturmey-Archer logo (kidding!!!!!). by: 70.171.196.50 |
| I think that if you have to read the small numbers to shift, walking might be your better mode of transportation. by: 64.136.27.226 |
| I finally found a pre WWII Sunbeam which I just purchased and wanted to share pictures of. I believe it is a 1927 Golden Sunbeam and it appears to be complete and in very good shape. The photos can be found at: http://www.flickr.com/photos/24584866@N00/ The photos aren't mine as I'm still awaiting delivery. I'll post better ones as soon as it arrives. Comments, observations, and recommendations are appreciated. I've got an early 1950's BSA built Sunbeam with a 23" frame and 26" wheels. I've got a good extra 3" to spare before the "boys" get into trouble on dismounts so I think this will be safe to ride!! by: 68.190.181.19 |
| I forgot to add. This Sunbeam was luckily on my side of the pond (U.S) so shipping isn't too bad!!! by: 68.190.181.19 |
| Those are 26" wheels, aren't they? It sure looks TALL! I'll guess you'll find out soon how difficult mounting and dismounting is. by: 66.30.200.82 |
| If the promoters of Bike Week in Daytona ever create a *Bicycle* Week and you show up with that Sunbeam, then you will automatically be appointed grand marshall of the big parade on final Sunday. Truly, you have the Bugatti Royale of vintage bicycles. Btw: Please upload pictures of your BSA Sunbeam. As I recall, they had a unique fork crown. Dick who's only sighting of a Sunbeam was the four-wheeler in Butterfield Eight. by: 172.173.133.67 |
| Yeah David, I'm so excited I forgot to mention the "new" one is a 26" frame with 26" aluminum wheels!! That's why I mentioned I might just fit without pain. I think they used to ride these pretty big in those days. Check out the picture of Sir Edward Elgar and his Royal at this site: http://www.localhistory.scit.wlv.ac.uk/Museum/Transport/bicycles/Sunbeam.htm After a few rides he was probably known as Dame Ed Elgar!! I'll upload pictures of the BSA Sunbeam for Dick in FL soon and Dick you're correct, the BSA Beamer has a chrome fork crown with an "S" cut out on each side. It's really a well made bike too. I can't wait for the '27 to show up. I think I'll seach for a pair of old aviator googles on Ebay to wear on my first ride. by: 68.190.181.19 |
| No Craig, Google is a search engine. You want to search for aviator goggles. Sorry everyone, I told you I was excited! by: 68.190.181.19 |
| WOW is that wonderful!!!! What a great find! And yes, I concur, it sure looks TALL. I can only imagine how tall it would be with 28" wheels.... never mind with the 26" wheels as equipped. Congrats on the acquisition of the "Consummate" machine! When you do get to post better images, kindly note that it might be a good idea to have a drooling towel handy prior to viewing. ;-) Cheers! Larry "Boneman" Bone by: 69.39.170.39 |
| Equipted with the "Roman" wheels!What a great bike!---sam by: 69.148.174.22 |
| WOW - wheels of wonder! Matthew - seldom lost for words. by: 62.252.0.6 |
| I agree with the other posters. Craig - you have a spectacular machine. I am, however, less envious than some, as I have acquired a similar -circa mid 1930s -Golden Sunbeam that I positively KNOW did police duty in the Manchester, UK area during that era. Mine requires very little refurbishing to be rid-able and reliable. My main problem rests with the brake pads, which have long since hardened. They are quite unique. Can anyone help locate replacements or accomplish a workaround that will not compromise the originality?? by: 64.222.229.48 |
| An idea might be to contact the Veterans Cycle Club in the UK. I believe their website is www.v-cc.org.uk I understand that the members are quite friendly and helpful. I also understand that Sunbeam made most if not all of their own parts so I'll bet some were unique to the brand. I look forward to the same kind of problems. Cheers! by: 68.190.181.19 |
| Looking for a Sturmey-Archer "FG" Dynofour. Preferably in nice condition, but I'd be equally interested if you have one that was fished from a lake. Might settle for a Sturmey-Archer FW four-speed w/o Dynohub if the price is right. Email to cudak888@aol.com if you have either. -Kurt by: 205.188.117.67 |
| OK, I've had the Roadster bug for a while and have decided to feed it rather than try to cure it. The dream bike is what a friend of mine refers to as a "Full Brideshead" (without the teddy bear), but short of buying a new Pashley, I realize that I'll probably have to treat that as a long term goal. Plus, my current budget is more modest. My questions for those of you who have been into this for a while and may be inclined to share your wisdom with a novice are: There is an AMF Hercules on eBay, http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=7210632720&sspagename=ADME:B:AAQ:US:1, with a 29"standover height (probably measured with flat tires). I've got a Wicked Fat Chance SS with a standover of 29" that is a bit on the small side and a Bianchi track bike at 31" that is a bit tall, and a 30" inseam. What is the general opinion on these bikes? What would be a reasonable top end for bidding for this? and Would it be worth holding out for a better example? (I don't know how often these come around, on eBay or otherwise) The planned uses for this bike is as an everyday short-ride (3-4 miles oneway)commuter, general utility transport, and conversation piece. Any thoughts would be appreciated. Thanks, Gil by: 63.27.12.233 |
| As a short term collector and with a quick look it sure seems like a bike with some potential.I have a bunch of Raleigh built 3 speeds and on many of them the pinstriping is gone.I wasn't aware Hercules and AMF were in bed together in the 60s but I'm a relative new comer.I have a couple of AMF hercules but I think they are from the 70s.About the only thing I don't like on the Hercules is the Wire type Fender stays but they are ok and I have a number of 3speeds with them.Ebay can be a pricey but convient place to pick up a bike.Depending on where you live if you go to lots of garage sales,house sales etc. you should find some 3 speeds to pick from.For a lot less money.I found a bunch last summer.I go to the sales wheather they list bikes or not. by: 24.58.64.136 |
| Nice bike. I have two from the same era,one black and the other a dull metalic red. I don't know much history on the black one but I got the red one from the original owner,said that he got it for his teenage son back in the early seventies.They boughtit from Montgomery Ward and his son used it from the time that it was new untill he started driving a car.It had been retired to a corner of the owner's garage since the boy stopped using it untill I spoted it at a garage sale three or four years ago. If I remember correctly the current bid on the one on Ebay that you were interested in is $9.99. I believe that you could probably about double that and come out OK depending on how much the owner wants to charge for shipping. Good Luck,I hope you win it if you want it. by: 64.12.116.136 |
| Right after WW2 wards was the exclusive importer of Hurcules bicycles to the USA--or so their Ads say---sam by: 69.148.174.22 |
| Don't know if you got it, but it looks like a nice enough bike. You might see if you can find a Sports of any brand to try out and see if you should look for a 21" frame (like the Ebay bike) or the taller 23" The shorter frames are more common, but you can find taller ones without too much trouble. by: 66.30.200.82 |
| Thanks for the responses. Didn't get the AMF/Hercules because I went to a LBS to check out a bike from the "warehouse" and missed the end of the auction. The bike turned out to be a large (about 34" standover)DL-1 in good shape - not exactly a daily commuter, plus the owner knew exactly what he had...way out of my league. Back to the search. by: 63.27.30.5 |
| What area are you in I have a few 3 speed english made bicycles. I am in western New York. But I can Ship. by: 64.136.27.226 |
| hello, can anyone out there tell me about the raynal cycle co. i've had this one for about ten years, changed a bunch of parts, but now want to put it back to as close to original as possible. any help with color schemes, hubs,seat, would be appreciated. thank you in advance...B.R.
|
| Sorry - wrong forum. Try Balloon Tyre & Middleweights. -Kurt by: 64.12.116.136 |
| Sorry Kurt,this is the right forum,it's a B.C.C.(phillips) brand of bike.I don't have any direct info on this brand but it was one of the brands built by the British Cycle Corporation Ltd.---sam by: 69.148.174.22 |
| Well, make that both a "Whoops" and an "Oy" from me. ...and I thought the Raleigh Lancer looked like an American middleweight... -Kurt by: 205.188.117.71 |
| Don't know much about this one... aside from the fact that I LOVE that chaiguard! Later! Larry "Boneman" Bone by: 69.39.168.164 |
| Kurt is right about Balloon tire bike and Sam is right about BCC(Phillips). I was at a friends place and in his junk broken frames was a Balloon tire bike, ladies, was hit by a car, well beyond repair. It was a Raynal made in England. It had a headbadge and a mudguard tag same as headbadge. I got both but left the rest. It was in very bad shape nothing salvagable. It had very unique mudguards nothing like USA made bikes, too bad they were badly bent up. by: 142.161.125.239 |
| I raleigh did make some type of cruzer in the 70s or 80s.Kind of a schwinn copy---which is fair play as schwinn copied the english heavy roadster tyre size when they came out with their middleweights in the mid 50s.---sam by: 69.148.174.22 |
| hello -anyone know anything about raleigh lancer bikes? ian by: 195.93.21.71 |