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Pathracer-
Well spotted, Pathracer!
Yes it is a TCW Sturmey. You may wonder how it is that a BSA machine would have a Sturmey hub when, at the time this bike was made, BSA were making their own three speed hubs.
I think Marcel had a penchant for coaster brakes, and it is known that he used one for his 1911 rides. I have a feeling that Mr. Planes retired from work in 1955 (his dates 1890-1966) and did his bike up at that time to do some riding in his retirement. I think the hub dates from then*.
So this bike has three brakes - quite a good idea when none of them work all that well. The coaster does stop fairly well, but I find it awkward to use, especially in traffic.Yes, it is in pretty good condition, in spite of having had quite a lot of use.
- I've just checked - the hub is stamped '53'.
- I've just checked - the hub is stamped '53'.
clubman
I came to the thread this evening because I wanted to show you these BSA Light Roadster pics (below).
I'm sure I've mentioned this bike before. It's a Veteran-Cycle Club machine which I've had in my possession for a long time and which I'm now passing on to a new custodian. This machine originally belonged to Marcel Planes, the winner of the 1911 Century Competition (mentioned elsewhere on here). This was not the bike he used for the competition - it dates from 1913 - but it seems to have been his main bike for the rest of his life.
'Light Roadster' is not a genre which many people have any interest in nowadays, at least in part because roadsters generally became so debased by cheapening that no one thinks them worthy of attention. But this machine is different - it was clearly a top of the range item when new. It is also surprisingly good to ride and I have done a number of 100 mile days on it myself.
The photos show it as I was using it, which was slightly different from the original spec. - my pedals and saddle alone save about a couple of pounds compared with the originals, but as you see it the weight is about 28 lbs - so the description 'light' is not ridiculous, even by modern standards for touring bikes.
Anyway, have a look at the photos - I can give more info if anyone's interested.