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messages for: English Roadster Discussions


ENGLISH ROADSTERS:   Anyone heard of a "Standard" from Birmingham posted by: Mark Kaczmarczyk on 10/26/2009 at 5:31:25 PM
Just acquired a 1956 Standard model K - 3-speed roadster (step through frame). I cannot find any information about this manufacturer - has anyone heard of it?


by: 99.224.221.154


  Replies:
          RE:ENGLISH ROADSTERS:   Anyone heard of a posted by Mark Kaczmarczyk on 10/26/2009 at 5:35:33 PM
Here is a close up of the downtube decal.[p][a href=http://i197.photobucket.com/albums/aa224/markk900/1955%20standard/IMG_1741.jpg target=_blank][img src=the_camera.jpg][/a]
by: 99.224.221.154

          RE:RE:ENGLISH ROADSTERS:   Anyone heard of a posted by Chris on 10/26/2009 at 6:16:53 PM
Hercules cycle and motor co. of Birmingham
perhaps, i am not sure enough for certain anyways i like the bike keep looking
by: 69.153.86.42

          RE:ENGLISH ROADSTERS:   Anyone heard of a posted by kenju@pacific.net.sg on 10/27/2009 at 4:18:48 AM
Mark

May we have a look at the headbadge please?

Does it look anything like this?
http://cgi.ebay.com.sg/Vintage-Bicycle-Head-Badge-Standard-Super-De-Luxe_W0QQitemZ380107051350QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item5880255156#ht_2048wt_1167


by: 218.186.12.253

          RE:ENGLISH ROADSTERS:   Anyone heard of a posted by Mark Kaczmarczyk on 10/27/2009 at 2:50:34 PM
Hi Kenju: no, its not like the one on ebay....I've posted a picture (sorry, its a bit worn and reflects light - tried about 6 different ways)....but the wording is: "The" on the top in black, "Standard" in the arched ribbon, "Cycle Co Ltd" under the ribbon, and "Birmingham" in the bottom ribbon, all in gold on a black background. And of course the big "K" in the middle!

Hope this triggers some memories.

Mark[p][a href=http://i197.photobucket.com/albums/aa224/markk900/1955%20standard/IMG_1747.jpg target=_blank][img src=the_camera.jpg][/a]
by: 99.224.221.154

          RE:ENGLISH ROADSTERS:   Anyone heard of a posted by sam on 10/27/2009 at 8:19:32 PM
Standard was a seperate bicycle maker in B-ham.
I think there was a web site on the bicycle manufactures of B-ham---Part of the industries of that area----sam
by: 69.149.106.146

          RE:ENGLISH ROADSTERS:   Anyone heard of a posted by Ken on 10/28/2009 at 5:37:47 AM
Fascinating. But Im afraid Ive no idea about this one. Sams probably right...
by: 218.186.12.253

          RE:ENGLISH ROADSTERS:   Anyone heard of a posted by Mark Kaczmarczyk on 10/28/2009 at 9:10:53 AM
I did some searching in the archives, and found some other references to Standard Cycle Co Ltd. Apparently around 1966 they shut their doors and were absorbed by another local manufacturer, and the model K was one of their main models. Thinking of pulling together a small web page and linking in any resources I find, just in case there are others in future looking for similar information.

Will also post pictures as I clean the bike up - not planning any major restoration, but wanted to get some horrid overspray from a poor touchup job off the chainguard (coming up nicely now), and I will have to repaint the fenders as they are partly sanded and almost no original paint left (though I can barely discerne where the pinstripping went. Other than that it will be left with its 53 year old patina!
by: 199.243.112.37

          RE:RE:ENGLISH ROADSTERS:   Anyone heard of a posted by Chris on 10/28/2009 at 12:41:33 PM
Great to see the mystery solved. Birmingham was a huge repository of bicycle related companies
by: 69.153.86.42

          RE:ENGLISH ROADSTERS:   Anyone heard of a posted by Keith Body on 10/31/2009 at 3:18:59 PM
Hi Mark, It looks a good quality little bike, better than many. There might have been a Standard Cycle Co. Ltd. at 40 Barn Street, Birmingham 5, in the mid 1930's. You might be able to access Kellys Directories Classified trade sections to confirm. I'm not sure about the 36 spoke wheels though.
by: 92.23.144.122

          RE:RE:ENGLISH ROADSTERS:   Anyone heard of a posted by Chris on 11/2/2009 at 7:13:12 PM
And the blue ribbon goes to Keith who solved the mystery! awesome
by: 69.153.86.42

          RE:ENGLISH ROADSTERS:   Anyone heard of a posted by Mark Kaczmarczyk on 11/4/2009 at 9:43:40 AM
My thanks to Keith as well! I had thought this thread might have already died but it hasn't....and another piece of the puzzle comes together. About the wheels - the rear is a 40 spoke with Dunlop rim (and Taiwanese tire) - SA hub dated 8/56. The front is clearly a replacement as it is a Canadian made hub, 36 spokes, and the tire is from Canadian Tire....will eventually look for a proper replacement.

Other progress: brakes cleaned up nicely, cables have been cleaned, sized properly and adjusted, and I took her out for a short ride the other day - wow what a great ride and so different from the derailleur bikes I usually ride!

Thanks all for the help.
Mark[p][a href=http://i197.photobucket.com/albums/aa224/markk900/1955%20standard/IMG_1801.jpg target=_blank][img src=the_camera.jpg][/a]
by: 148.177.1.213

          RE:ENGLISH ROADSTERS:   Anyone heard of a posted by Hannah on 11/17/2009 at 11:30:49 PM
This may or may not be useful, but I have a 1954 Phillips that is remarkably similar. I had browsed cursorily for bicycles with chain guards of this shape and yours, though it curves around the back, is the closest I've seen other than a 1955 Hercules "Aston Tourist". (The front wheel has 32 spokes.) I wonder if the companies had any relationship to each other or through TI / BCC?[p][a href=http://picasaweb.google.com/habelbeck/Bicycles#5405315800082710882 target=_blank][img src=the_camera.jpg][/a]
by: 71.58.69.134

          RE:ENGLISH ROADSTERS:   Anyone heard of a posted by Matt on 11/20/2009 at 11:56:22 AM
I have two womens bicycle frames still in box! The boxes say Standard Cycle Co. Chicago, Il and all of the packing newspaper is 1940 and earlier. These frames have never been assembled. There are no headbadges...just a silohette of a round badge. No forks or chain guard. Just Frame and fenders. Nice hand painted frames...I don't have pics to post yet. Any thoughts?
by: 209.242.149.227

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