I have always admired the old Raleigh cruisers and lightweights. English bikes in general arguably were the best bikes made in the first half of cycling history. Raleigh's biggest competitor into the 40's (I believe, I'm no historian) was Hercules. Of course time and economics mean change, and Raleigh was bought out by their tubing supplier, followed by Hercules. There were other bike manufacturers and suppliers absorbed as well, but this is just to serve as a summary to explain in part why I love the Hercules bicycles.
Finding old bikes is always exciting in the thrill of wondering what it is. Usually obscured by dirt, high grass, rust, fading, repaint, or abuse, most old bikes are unknown other than the subtle clues given from design, and components. My heart always beats faster when it spots the curve of a cruiser frame, lugged joints, fat fenders, the rivets on a brooks saddle. No such luck yet in getting an intact brooks saddle yet, but seeing even the remains of one lends to something good that it sits on.
