WHAT'S THIS? Maybe pre-1940??

[Cycle:Recycle]

Hi,

No trick questions but we had this bike donated to us by an elderly couple who said they had been riding it for a long long time and it was possibly pre WW2.

I have taken some pictures today but we actually have the cycle hung out of the way outside our workshop in the dry.

If anyone knows more about this bike please get in touch.

http://db.tt/0KTo1bAa

http://db.tt/ISzT4IbL

http://db.tt/hYnzn3hQ

http://db.tt/vINoeFAZ

http://db.tt/n95JHbTx

http://db.tt/eUZGO4S6

http://db.tt/cOt3lJJh

Sorry about the picture quality I was juggling my phone on some step ladders at the time of taking them :?

 

[lae]

It's a Rudge - or at least, the chainset is Rudge.

The Rudge logo is the big hand facing palm-out - it's also one of my favourite logos ever.

I couldn't tell you how old it is, I'm not really an expert. If you look on the rear hub, it might have a date or date code stamped into it.

 

[Cycle:Recycle]

Thanks for being the first to reply and noted Rudge, will google on "Rudge" and see if I can research some more

 

[Cycle:Recycle]

There's some here but can't find that particular frame type:
http://oldbike.wordpress.com/

 

[Excel]

.....looks 1950's to me as most pre-war headsets were of the head clip variety but yours has the I" threaded popularised in the post-war years also check if it's a Sturmey rear hub as normally they have two numbered digits stamped on the barrel denoting the year of manufacture

 

[Robbied196]

I'd go with late 1950s. I have a 1956 Dunelt with rod brakes but that was the period when they were beginning to phase out and be replaced with cable brakes.

 

[Cycle:Recycle]

Useful Resource

Found this whilst looking around:
http://www.oldbike.eu/museum/frame-number-bicycle-dating-guide/

From picture's I've seen online it seems that the bike is either 50's or 30's, but I would imagine the former from the research I've done so far, and the other useful posts on this thread. Will see if I can identify the rear hub and post later.

 

[Sirreal]

Looks like a Rudge Ladies fast sports to me, but if it is the top tube has been replaced at some point. Rudge used pinned lugs on the tt on photos I have seen of the model upto the early 50's, and they appear have been cut out on your bike.

 

[Cycle:Recycle]

Thanks, another useful reply. I googled Rudge Ladies Fast Sports and came up with this:
http://www.theoldbicycleshowroom.co.uk/c1934-rudge-ladies-fast-sports-1507-p.asp

Apparently that's 30's which falls more into the timeline that the couple who donated it alluded to.

Will keep researching....

 

[Cycle:Recycle]

Took a look at the hub and 52 is printed so I guess the Cycle is:
Rudge Ladies Fast Sports 1952

Not in bad condition for a cycle that is 60 years old. I think it's the oldest one we have at Cycle:Recycle