Hello all,
I'm a 20 year old girl hailing from BC, Canada. Had a car since I was 16 but I'm getting so sick of driving, paying cost for insurance, etc, so I'm selling the .... thing. A week or so ago I was perusing craigslist for possible Bikes to get me around once I'm carless, and I found an old beautiful loop-frame ladies bike, some girl had it sitting outside her house for 2 years from a previous tenant and was just going to trash it. Once I got it home I started googling the headplate and frame stamp, with little results. Took me ages to find any information.
after i removed the back fender and chain case:
This is pretty much identical to my bike:
The headplate on it says "Mercury Cycle made in England". It's a one speed ladies bicycle. From what I can tell from the original parts on the website http://www.wingyourheel.com (someone set this up to gather information on the elusive bike) I am missing the back brake, and I believe the crank has been replaced, but one pedal arm and pedal. Also, the bike had been repainted blue and detailed gold, with original black paint showing through beneath it. It's pretty darn rusted but everything still works, including the ancient rod brake on the front (it seems that someone removed the rear brake).
I've already stripped her down to the frame (it's insane how simple/little dismantling there are on these old bikes) and i'm in the process of sanding her down for painting. I realize that many people would say a bike that old shouldn't be modified too far, but I know I'll get alot of use out of her so a fresh coat of paint, new crank, and new front tire is all I'm going to do.
The one thing that's got me stumped is the crank assembly on this sucker. I've never seen anything online like it, and I can't seem to get it apart past the two metal pieces sticking out of the bottom bracket.
It looks just like the illustration on this page:
Anyways, if anyone has any information about this brand of bike or model, or the crank assembly, let me know!!!
It's my first bike rebuild so far, and I do have a basic understanding of mechanics (granted, throw anything electrical at me and I guarantee I'll ruin it)
I'll put up some photos of my rustbucket later if anyone is interested. I'm thinking glossy black or silver for the frame and fenders.
Thanks everyone! This website has been a huge inspiration so far, and a huge help!
-Loralie
I'm a 20 year old girl hailing from BC, Canada. Had a car since I was 16 but I'm getting so sick of driving, paying cost for insurance, etc, so I'm selling the .... thing. A week or so ago I was perusing craigslist for possible Bikes to get me around once I'm carless, and I found an old beautiful loop-frame ladies bike, some girl had it sitting outside her house for 2 years from a previous tenant and was just going to trash it. Once I got it home I started googling the headplate and frame stamp, with little results. Took me ages to find any information.
after i removed the back fender and chain case:
This is pretty much identical to my bike:
The headplate on it says "Mercury Cycle made in England". It's a one speed ladies bicycle. From what I can tell from the original parts on the website http://www.wingyourheel.com (someone set this up to gather information on the elusive bike) I am missing the back brake, and I believe the crank has been replaced, but one pedal arm and pedal. Also, the bike had been repainted blue and detailed gold, with original black paint showing through beneath it. It's pretty darn rusted but everything still works, including the ancient rod brake on the front (it seems that someone removed the rear brake).
I've already stripped her down to the frame (it's insane how simple/little dismantling there are on these old bikes) and i'm in the process of sanding her down for painting. I realize that many people would say a bike that old shouldn't be modified too far, but I know I'll get alot of use out of her so a fresh coat of paint, new crank, and new front tire is all I'm going to do.
The one thing that's got me stumped is the crank assembly on this sucker. I've never seen anything online like it, and I can't seem to get it apart past the two metal pieces sticking out of the bottom bracket.
It looks just like the illustration on this page:
Anyways, if anyone has any information about this brand of bike or model, or the crank assembly, let me know!!!
It's my first bike rebuild so far, and I do have a basic understanding of mechanics (granted, throw anything electrical at me and I guarantee I'll ruin it)
I'll put up some photos of my rustbucket later if anyone is interested. I'm thinking glossy black or silver for the frame and fenders.
Thanks everyone! This website has been a huge inspiration so far, and a huge help!
-Loralie