I went for a ride on my 1950 English Hercules this afternoon. It was a very pleasant Spring day (I live in New Zealand), not too warm for riding, - just nice really. Since I was still a wee bit fatigued from being unwell for the past two days I just puddled along in 1st gear on the Sturmey Archer hub, but on arriving back home I found myself having to have a wee lie down with a nice cup of tea because I was feeling exhausted again.
Now with my 1950 Hercules being totally original and unrestored any thought of motorising it is something that I've never considered for a moment. But as I sipped my cup of green tea I found myself wondering, 'What about a Wall Autowheel?'
Now obviously I'm not talking about the real thing; - There is one on ebay at the moment for 6,000 pounds sterling! And as my household budget won't stretch that far I shall instead resort to the contents of all those boxes I have stacked in shaky piles in my garage.
By the way the lovely old bicycle in the photos is a Humber, but it is very close to being the same as my Hercules in general size and proportions. I thought I'd post a period Wall newspaper advert as well with a nice picture of an intrepid wheelwoman as well as a rather terrific full colour Wall advert featuring a very intrepid wheelwoman indeed!
My children tell me I'd look silly wearing a laurel wreath in my hair while out bicycling and have told me that I'm strictly forbidden to do it or they'll never speak to me again, (sigh)
Plainly an elderly looking engine would be essential for such a project so for me that would mean a Villiers of which I have several in various states of completeness and disrepair. The wheel would need to have at least a Westwood type rim in order to look the part and I seem to remember that I do have some 20inch rims of that type. A 16inch wheel from an elderly Autocycle might be better and I seem to remember that I have at least one of those.
The rest would be made from ordinary steel tubing & etc which should be a simple enough exercise.
Now with my 1950 Hercules being totally original and unrestored any thought of motorising it is something that I've never considered for a moment. But as I sipped my cup of green tea I found myself wondering, 'What about a Wall Autowheel?'
Now obviously I'm not talking about the real thing; - There is one on ebay at the moment for 6,000 pounds sterling! And as my household budget won't stretch that far I shall instead resort to the contents of all those boxes I have stacked in shaky piles in my garage.
By the way the lovely old bicycle in the photos is a Humber, but it is very close to being the same as my Hercules in general size and proportions. I thought I'd post a period Wall newspaper advert as well with a nice picture of an intrepid wheelwoman as well as a rather terrific full colour Wall advert featuring a very intrepid wheelwoman indeed!
My children tell me I'd look silly wearing a laurel wreath in my hair while out bicycling and have told me that I'm strictly forbidden to do it or they'll never speak to me again, (sigh)
Plainly an elderly looking engine would be essential for such a project so for me that would mean a Villiers of which I have several in various states of completeness and disrepair. The wheel would need to have at least a Westwood type rim in order to look the part and I seem to remember that I do have some 20inch rims of that type. A 16inch wheel from an elderly Autocycle might be better and I seem to remember that I have at least one of those.
The rest would be made from ordinary steel tubing & etc which should be a simple enough exercise.
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