1959 René Herse Porteur in pristine condition

fiamme red · #1 09-12-2019, 09:59 AM

https://vintagebicycle.wordpress.com...nal-condition/

"Herse porteurs are very rare, much more so than the randonneuses, and this example of the model with enveloping mudguards is perhaps the only one of its type in existence. More remarkable still is the condition of this machine. It has clearly been stored in good, dry conditions, and it is obvious that it had very little use indeed. There is hardly any wear on any of the parts, and the bicycle is generally in like new condition. This is the nearest you will ever get to seeing how the machine looked when the owner went to the shop to collect it. It is a unique discovery."

colker · #2 09-12-2019, 10:41 AM

supremely beautifull.

redir · #3 09-12-2019, 11:04 AM

Drool...

zzy · #4 09-12-2019, 11:11 AM

Those fenders..

dogrange · #5 09-12-2019, 11:15 AM

That is the coolest bike I have seen in a long time.

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Drmojo · #6 09-12-2019, 01:25 PM

perfect
just
perfect
If I lived in Avignon
even more perfect

2metalhips · #7 09-12-2019, 03:21 PM

Spectacular! What a find.

Blue Jays · #8 09-12-2019, 03:29 PM

I wish all fenders were constructed in this manner. Excellent understanding of how they are supposed to work.

SlowPokePete · #9 09-12-2019, 04:54 PM

Wow...that is beautiful!

SPP

Climb01742 · #10 09-12-2019, 06:39 PM

That is the Duesenberg of bikes. So lovely.

Vonruden · #11 09-12-2019, 06:47 PM

Amazing, would love to hear the story on where he found it and how little he paid (my barn bike fantasy)

efixler · #12 09-12-2019, 06:49 PM

Now that’s a bike!

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merckx · #13 09-12-2019, 07:15 PM

Tangible and functional perfection.

witcombusa · #14 09-12-2019, 08:51 PM

What's going on with the rear hub? It looks like it has a torque arm to the chainstay like a coaster brake? And a generator 'bottle' on that side seatstay for the lighting. Maybe a 3-4 speed freewheel shifted with a Cyclo changer.

The normal Herse canti's up front. Is that somehow a coaster brake out back?
Some magic in the freewheel/hub assembly?

fiamme red · #15 09-12-2019, 08:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by witcombusa

What's going on with the rear hub? It looks like it has a torque arm to the chainstay like a coaster brake? And a generator 'bottle' on that side seatstay for the lighting. Maybe a 3-4 speed freewheel shifted with a Cyclo changer.

The normal Herse canti's up front. Is that somehow a coaster brake out back?
Some magic in the freewheel/hub assembly?

"The combination of the Torpedo Coaster brake with a three speed Simplex derailleur is very unusual, although I’m sure it is original to this machine. Because of the chain path on this particular derailleur, you always get a straight chain when braking. The disadvantage is that the top half of the chain goes slack when you brake, and sometimes slaps on the top of the chainstay. Interestingly there is a Daniel Rebour drawing of a Cyclo derailleur, apparently specially produced for use with a coaster brake hub in Le Cycle October 23rd issue from 1950."