Hercules, a Labour of Love

Every once in a while around here a bike shows up on my doorstep that makes me shudder. This was one of those bikes. When it arrived my initial reaction was to make the sign of the cross, chew some garlic, light some incense and run like hell. Something made me stay and take take a closer look. Maybe it was curiosity, maybe it was pity. This poor bike is a Hawthorne. Those of you old enough might remember this was the house brand at Monkey Wards. (If Monkey Wards doesn’t register ask an adult) My first new bike was a Hawthorne. Bronze with a leopard print banana seat. Way cool.

You can see from the first picture that this bike was not in the best of shape. The rear tire had started a rapid return to it’s molecular origins, it was dirty, rusty and things either failed to turn or turned without need or reason. There was a glimmer though, underneath the Hawthorne was the name Hercules, made in England. The down tube sports a little decal boasting “Genuine English Lightweight” This bike was abandoned to neglect by a caring owner who got old and passed on. The new owner brought it to me because I have the dubious reputation of being able to fix anything.

We did a little triage and divvied up the chores. This was to be a partial restoration. The bike would look better and be redeemable but not a museum piece. Here is where things started turning strange. The man who brought in the bike had a stroke. I was pretty sure I was going to have a few parts I didn’t need cluttering up the debris field I call a shop. Then his wife shows up and tells me his son wants to take over the project. This is number two son, in high school, a neat kid but hardly a mechanic and what do I know about kids anyway?  I’ll skip all of the heart warming Capraesque nonsense and get back to the bike. Willy did do a lot of work helping me clean up the bike. I got to know a little more about him and my faith in the future of mankind is at least partially restored. Willy and his friend helped me pick up the ball bearings that hit the floor and scattered. Much grime and dirt was wiped away. Rust was removed and everything made shipshape, more or less.

The Hercules looks good. Its a classy bike and Willy will be riding it this summer. It was not a lucrative job but I’m a softy when it comes to old bikes. Especially when it is going to be ridden. So old Herc has left the building but he won’t be soon forgotten.