Tony B Posted April 23, 2013 Share Posted April 23, 2013 I can now announce (DAH DAAA!) I am the proud owner of a BSA Mk V Bicycle. Will be picking it up next weekend. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mcspool Posted April 23, 2013 Author Share Posted April 23, 2013 Further to "Trade Pattern" and "Contractor's standard specification", I read that: the English "Roadster" was the old-fashioned style of bicycle popular in the countryside. They usually had 28 x 1-1/2" wheels with Westwood rims, long cranks and long wheelbases, and very shallow frame angles (68 degrees or less). Roadsters used "roller-lever" brakes operated by rods. Roadsters were built for durability above all else, and were intended to be able to cope with dirt roads, cobblestones and unpaved footpaths, with a bare minimum of maintenance. No serious attempt was made to save weight in their design or construction. They are often pictured as the mounts of policemen and rural letter carriers. With those design requirements in mind, I understand why the military ordered "trade pattern" roadsters - they fitted the bill for a sturdy bike perfectly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete Ashby Posted April 24, 2013 Share Posted April 24, 2013 Further to "Trade Pattern" and "Contractor's standard specification", I read that: With those design requirements in mind, I understand why the military ordered "trade pattern" roadsters - they fitted the bill for a sturdy bike perfectly. Hanno Old Bean !! and you take the rise out of me for for having a little J thing data at my finger tips Pete the Toff PS all good stuff and very interesting, In a previous life the establishment where I was gainfully employed was sited on a war time RAF station and in 1946 it took over not only the infra structure but a lot of the hardware as well, this included several hundred Service push bikes from various manufactures which were still giving sterling service well into the 21st Century sadly most if not all ended their days in the crusher. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mcspool Posted May 13, 2013 Author Share Posted May 13, 2013 Hanno Old Bean !! and you take the rise out of me for for having a little J thing data at my finger tips Pete the Toff PS all good stuff and very interesting, In a previous life the establishment where I was gainfully employed was sited on a war time RAF station and in 1946 it took over not only the infra structure but a lot of the hardware as well, this included several hundred Service push bikes from various manufactures which were still giving sterling service well into the 21st Century sadly most if not all ended their days in the crusher. Well, Pete, my old chum, just read not only do you own a J thing but also fessed up having owned 2 weapons carriers and a LWB GMC! :shocked: While I am trying to unearth some of your cycling heritage, you make me drool by bragging about having British Service push bikes at your disposal, furnished by the boss even All joking aside, it might turn out bicycles were among the longest serving HMV's. Mine must have been in actual use for some 40-odd years before being disposed of. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mcspool Posted May 16, 2015 Author Share Posted May 16, 2015 This Hercules bicycle recently came to light after spending decades on an elderly gentleman's attic. When his house was cleared this bicycle was destined for the metal recycling bin, luckily someone put it aside and it is now in the hands of a collector (no, not me). Noteworthy are the black rims, handlebars, pedals, luggage carrier etc. - everything except the frame and mudguards. To me this is a sign these bikes were built to an austere specification with most of the bits which would normally be chromed were painted black, and the rest in "service colour". Hope this helps to restart this thread an more information on this subject comes to light. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony B Posted May 16, 2015 Share Posted May 16, 2015 Lovley, one man's scrap anothers treasure. Glad to know somone had the knowledge to see what it was. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mcspool Posted March 20, 2016 Author Share Posted March 20, 2016 Rare pictures of military bicycles in use during a river crossing in Singapore in 1941 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
79x100 Posted March 22, 2016 Share Posted March 22, 2016 Echte veldrijden ! Wonderful photos. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mcspool Posted June 18, 2023 Author Share Posted June 18, 2023 From an early MVCG/MVT magazine, via Rob van Meel. A list of bicycle frame numbers used by the RAF include a listing for Hercules Gents Model: RAF numbers 11430 - 17429 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Le Prof Posted June 26, 2023 Share Posted June 26, 2023 Hi @mcspool Thanks for republishing that. Do you know the original author or source for the listings? I have reorganised the listings into the more useful table below, which can be shared freely with acknowledgement. Below is a detail of the registration on RAF 261179, and Armstrong Gent's bicycle currently for sale on Milweb. I am currently unable to access the site, but will add the owner's name later. Best Regards, Adrian 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mcspool Posted June 26, 2023 Author Share Posted June 26, 2023 4 hours ago, Le Prof said: Thanks for republishing that. Do you know the original author or source for the listings? No, other than what Rob van Meel wrote: "From an early MVCG/MVT magazine" 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mcspool Posted June 30, 2023 Author Share Posted June 30, 2023 On 6/26/2023 at 1:31 PM, Le Prof said: I have reorganised the listings into the more useful table below, which can be shared freely with acknowledgement. @Le Prof thanks for making that table 👌 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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