An acquaintance has acquired a Humphrey motorbike and hopefully the forum members can provide some more information on it. Initially, it looked a lot like a CCM frameset, until I rec'd close-ups of the rear hub and dropout. The rear dropout is not the typical, narrow CCM style with the stay pinned to it.
The serial number is T1897, which is similar to a 1932 or 1948 CCM format, though missing a number. It's been previously reported on the forum that Humphrey did not start production until 1936 and was acquired by CCM by 1946. That should rule out a 1932. While 1948 is a possibility, I would think that a CCM era Humphrey would have CCM style dropouts with pinned stays like other CCM era Humphrey that have surfaced.
The only component with possible clues is the rear hub. It is marked:
New Hercules brake
Patent No. 106391
Pats Pending
Made in Canada
A quick patent search indicates a Canadian coaster brake patent, filed April 1907 and granted July 1907. The inventor and owner were both USA citizens. Having both pats pending and a patent number on the same hub is a bit confusing. Were there other patents pending or was the patent number added to the tooling after the patent was granted?. Or was convention at the time to issue a patent number while it was being considered?
Of course the New Hercules name is also confusing. I thought that Hercules was a CCM brand. Of course, CCM could have purchase or licensed the brand or the original brand registration may have lapsed. Finally, Hercules and New Hercules could be considered different entities from a trademark legal perspective. I know that CCM was using Hercules branded hubs, made in their factory, at least as early as 1918.
If Humphrey did start bicycle manufacture in 1936 and CCM took it over by 1946, then the non-CCM construction would seem to incate 1936-1946 but I wouldn't think the serial number number format would have made it up to Txxxx. Any further information or opinions would be appreciated.
Submitted by Dave Brown on Tue, 10/08/2013 - 20:19.
The early Hercules hub looks very close and maybe might be the same as the armless Musselman hubs made in the USA. The New Hercules hubs are a little heavier made in the hub shell bearing area. They look the same by sight but most parts do not inter change.The New Hercules is a better brake as far as I am concerned of the two.
An acquaintance has acquired a Humphrey motorbike and hopefully the forum members can provide some more information on it. Initially, it looked a lot like a CCM frameset, until I rec'd close-ups of the rear hub and dropout. The rear dropout is not the typical, narrow CCM style with the stay pinned to it.
The serial number is T1897, which is similar to a 1932 or 1948 CCM format, though missing a number. It's been previously reported on the forum that Humphrey did not start production until 1936 and was acquired by CCM by 1946. That should rule out a 1932. While 1948 is a possibility, I would think that a CCM era Humphrey would have CCM style dropouts with pinned stays like other CCM era Humphrey that have surfaced.
The only component with possible clues is the rear hub. It is marked:
A quick patent search indicates a Canadian coaster brake patent, filed April 1907 and granted July 1907. The inventor and owner were both USA citizens. Having both pats pending and a patent number on the same hub is a bit confusing. Were there other patents pending or was the patent number added to the tooling after the patent was granted?. Or was convention at the time to issue a patent number while it was being considered?
Of course the New Hercules name is also confusing. I thought that Hercules was a CCM brand. Of course, CCM could have purchase or licensed the brand or the original brand registration may have lapsed. Finally, Hercules and New Hercules could be considered different entities from a trademark legal perspective. I know that CCM was using Hercules branded hubs, made in their factory, at least as early as 1918.
If Humphrey did start bicycle manufacture in 1936 and CCM took it over by 1946, then the non-CCM construction would seem to incate 1936-1946 but I wouldn't think the serial number number format would have made it up to Txxxx. Any further information or opinions would be appreciated.
The early Hercules hub looks very close and maybe might be the same as the armless Musselman hubs made in the USA. The New Hercules hubs are a little heavier made in the hub shell bearing area. They look the same by sight but most parts do not inter change.The New Hercules is a better brake as far as I am concerned of the two.
T-Mar, Humphrey was definately producing (or having produced) bikes, earlier than 36. Check out this link...
http://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=2194&dat=19310605&id=GXAvAAAAIBAJ&...
So 1931 and maybe earlier. Here`s a link to one of mine... ~MERK
http://www.flickr.com/photos/68656045@N03/sets/72157628167945073/