I believe the frame was modified. I bought a "sister" frame... which had been modified even more. So some of the odd details are just that - non-Herse modifications. Interestingly, we later found out that the "original" owner had bought the bikes second-hand, and then had them modified to resemble each other. So they were pretty standard Herse bikes originally.
This is not to detract from Ray's frame - the modifications on his
frame are easy to put right, especially since it's not painted.
>The derailleur tab may be a modification.
It was brazed on later. It's interesting that some sort of Campagnolo
hanger was used...
>
>The right
>inside dropout is interesting. It looks like it it might be ready for a
>chain rest, but there is no chain rest.
That dropout indeed is for a chainrest. The chainrest must have been
removed. You need a special axle for the Maxi-Car hub that has been
shortened a bit...
>It looks like it had a Herse Bottom Bracket.
The BB shell for an Herse bottom bracket has shoulders machined into it, to retain the bearings, and only very short threaded sections for the dustcaps/retaining rings. Ray's bike looks like it has standard threads. If that is the case, any French-threaded BB should fit.
Jan Heine
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