Interesting Hercules, curious on year

[graham2589]

Hello,

I'm curious if anyone can tell me more information on this Hercules bicycle? The history of them and information I've been trying to find is a bit confusing. I think it is a Raleigh frame? Any help is appreciated.

 

[SSG]

What crank is on there? It doesn't look like the standard hercules cottered crank.

 

[Bicycle808]

Show us the rear dropouts; we can tell right away if it's Nottingham-built (Raleigh) or not. And definitely let us see what's up with the crankset...Almost looks like it might be a fauber?

 

[graham2589]

I apologize for the late reply. Work has me crazy. Here are some close ups.

 

[SSG]

I've never seen a hercules with a one piece crank. Weird.

 

[graham2589]

I've never seen a hercules with a one piece crank. Weird.

Would you happen to have an idea on the year of the frame? Thanks!

 

[Bicycle808]

Hard to tell from the pic, but are those fauber cranks? They look to be on the DS, but the NDS pic makes me think maybe not....

I don't believe the frame is Raleigh-built. I'd say it's gotta be earlier than 1960, which is when Raleigh took over BCC (which included Hercules.) Apparently, There were Hercules-badged bikes sold by a midwestern dept store WBITD... I'd be surprised to see one with lugs like that, though....

 

[SSG]

I'm leaning towards some sort of CCM, with a date sometime in the late 40's through 60s.

 

[Wildcat]

It's probably one of the German ones. They made motorcycles and bikes. Hercules of England always used a cottered crankset. It looks like there's a name on the bottom of the head badge I can't make it out.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hercules_(motorcycle)