A few weeks ago, my boss brought me this rusty '52 Sports. It came with its original but badly cracked-but-not-torn Brooks B66 (which I don't trust enough to attempt riding) and functioning DynoHub. My plan for this bike is to have it as close to mechanically perfect as possible, while keeping as much of the external rust/patina as possible, so that it's less attractive to potential thieves. The idea is to have a bike that I'm comfortable leaving locked up outside in questionable areas for a whole day. I've already got it pretty rideable...overhauled the BB, got the wheels trued and brakes adjusted. I did have a weird issue with the left pedal suddenly locking up on me the other night on the longest ride I've done on it so far, but I haven't overhauled the pedals yet. I've also got a source for a full chaincase in similar condition to the rest of the bike, so I might put that on it as well.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v8...016_144942.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v8...016_144957.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v8...016_145009.jpg

For those of you looking for "roadster" tires in the 26 x 1 3/8 English 590mm size, Kenda/Sunlite now has a mini-version of the DL-1 style tires:

https://www.amazon.com/Sunlite-Stree...1%2B3%2F8&th=1

I recently put a set on my 1946 Hercules Model C.

The Bike Shed: Another Offering in 26 x 1 3/8 Tires (ISO 590mm) For English Bikes

https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Y0Oe2TBR3...015_124807.jpg

https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iha6cqMYz...015_133502.jpg

https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NSj8aoUvE...015_171658.jpg

I have those Kenda tires on my wife's E3S. I like them okay. They are noticeably more narrow than the no longer available Bell tires on my E3S. Being as we live on a gravel road, they are also noticeably less stable on gravel. The seem to have an oval profile. The Bell tires are round in profile.

J

Ah, I see what you mean. A lot depends on where you ride. Where I am right now, the nicest rides are the out of the way town roads. Very pretty countryside, no traffic, but generally unpaved or very poor pavement. You don't need a real off road type bike, but the surfaces are too rough to be fun on a regular road bike. The DL-1 has opened up a lot of nice rides for me that I wouldn't take on my Motobecane or even my Sports.

Yeah, the Boston area has some pretty rough roads, and the Tourist is great for that...but being stuck in the super-upright position with only one hand position and no ability to stand on the pedals can get old on a longer ride. So basically, I think it'd be nice to have something with roadster geometry and 28" wheels, but with a bit of fun cognitive dissonance, and a position more like a cross/touring bike. Could be interesting to work derailleurs into it, too....

I think the Col de la Vie tires are the better bet for substantial riding on gravel. These Kendas did alright on the loose stones and sand on the local roads, but the Col de la Vie tires are better on the rougher stuff.

What I am saying is that my NLA Bell tires are 34mm wide and the Kenda 103 is 30mm wide, actual measurement. Same wheels, same inflation pressure. It is a fairly narrow tire and looks small on the E3S. But, on pavement and firm surfaces it rides nice and is attractive.

J

[MENTION=38859]SirMike1983[/MENTION], I noticed these "Sure Grips" on your `52 Sports. Do you know who made them, and whether they are still available? They look just perfect for another bike I'm building. Thanks!

If you're talking about my pictures, they're just the "Sunlite Kraton Rubber Grips" that any shop with a J&B account should be able to get.

Oops, sorry. I meant the ones in agmetal's photos! Reading too fast, the photos all sort of blended together. This is the grip I was talking about:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v8...016_145009.jpg

They look much more cushy and "ergonomic" than the generic Kraton grips that Sunlite sells.

So I direct my question to agmetal, if you will please: Where can I get these grips?

Thanks again, and sorry about the confusion.

They're exactly what I said they are! :thumb:

http://www.jbi.bike/web/checking_pro...t_number=31605

:p Thank you, sir.

That's what I get for trying to read the forum at work... rush, rush, rush. :twitchy:

Speaking about appropriate three speed rubber grips, I really like the ones offered by Curious Velo. Alas, their webstore is currently "under construction".
{I am** Curious Velo
https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8025/2...18740a62_z.jpg

I have a pair of these on my '37 Tourist...they're nice, but the material leaves black specks on my hands after a ride

This is the problem with any rubber grip, unfortunately. (At least the ones I have used.)

Back in the days when I spent more hours on my bike, I preferred cork grips over any kind of rubber or plastic.

Make mine cork.

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b3...psvvjjqfca.jpg

J

The Robin Williams Bicycle Collection
 

Up for auction
https://m.paddle8.com/auction/robin-williams/

:eek:

And these are all Bicycle Blue Book prices...I need to start my own charity.

How about the ferrules that help join the shifter to the cable? Seems most of the English bikes I find are missing those. The pics attached was from the Harris site. Thanks dweenk.

I found an English 3 speed today.

http://i.imgur.com/crZdFi8.jpg

Yup, a Raleigh made bike. From well back in the 60s from the look of it. Interesting that the front fender and brake levers aren't what you usually see on Nottingham Raleighs, but it sure looks all original to me.

It's a 1962, it even came with a (expired) Minneapolis bicycle license. I didn't know they had such things

http://i.imgur.com/fmrV1Qb.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/AxpzxHT.jpg

It's pretty crusty, but I think it can be made rideable if not super pretty again

Ah yes, the ubiquitous Minneapolis Bicycle License; I've encountered these on many CL bikes I've looked at. I'm not sure of the history: Were these required in order to ride on public roads? Something I might look into when I get bored this winter.

Current thinking (going back for about a decade now, applies to all vehicles) seems to be that it is better to preserve the patina of a well-used bicycle, to illustrate its history. However, the patina of neglect can be wiped away and the bike restored to like-or-better-than new condition.

And I learned all of that on this very forum, when I was trying to decide what to do with my DL1. It had rust on everything, the fenders were well-nigh unusable; but it was the rust of sitting outside leaning against a shed, not being ridden in bad weather. I ended up replacing them with new KW pieces from Yellow Jersey, and then restoring the rest of the bike as best I could. It didn't turn out too bad:

http://i1073.photobucket.com/albums/...psod5xhrcn.png
And of course this calls for a reposting of a photo taken just after I finished it.

This winter I plan to revisit those twisted, rusty fenders - maybe test my restoration skills.

So, for your Western Flyer I would suggest removing any corrosion with naval jelly or whatever that acid is that some folks use, and then rubbing down all painted surfaces with oil, letting that sit for awhile, and then wiping it down. That was the advice given to me, so I'm passing it on... :thumb:

Yes I think that's best. Get the rust removed, under control, and the remaining surface protected. These rims aren't too bad, light chrome flecks but no deep pitting. I think overhauling the hub is probably in order and then hopefully it will look fairly nice an be rideable.

The biggest question is if the tires are usable still, cause they really help make the look.

I love the "Garanteed English Lightweight" decal.

When I was a kid, the only places to buy a bike retail were Western Auto (8 miles away), or Sears Roebuck and Montgomery Ward (25 miles away). We were not affluent, so my mother went to her uncle who owned a small general store, and had him order a Rollfast Mid-Weight for my Christmas gift when I was 12 (through the Bennet Blue Book).

While we were in the store, President Kennedy came on TV and announced the blockade of Cuba due to Russian missiles that were there. That sapped the euphoria of getting my first new bike.

I think this old Western Flyer would look great with some attention. I like the look of old bikes. The difference between an old bike, even with rusted spots and scars from years of use, is looking cared for and not neglected. I would polish off what rust I could from the chrome and not worry about what was left, clean and polish the painted areas and then use a liquid car wax to seal it all up. Polishing compound really brings back some luster to old enamel paint. Once all the mechanical issues are dealt with, you'll have a classy old bike. Scars, funky old registration sticker and all. I have a bike very similar to yours. It's a Raleigh made custom brand for a major retailer , Wheel Goods Corporation , in Minneapolis. The photo makes it look cleaner than it is in person. It has rust scars on the fenders like yours. The difference is that it's cared for. I left the seat on for the photo. I have to swap seats to ride this bike. They are useless for anybody over 80 pounds.
http://i536.photobucket.com/albums/f...scot001a_1.jpg

just picked up a Raleigh Sport
 

I have been on a 3 speed kick lately....just got myself a Raleigh Sport '64 for 30 bucks. It is in decent shape. I have started pulling it apart for a full clean and go over.

It will need tires for sure. Others i have worked on i have gone with the schwable tires but on this one i might try to get by a bit cheaper. Has anyone used the Sunlite tires? They appear to have the same or very simular tread to the original tires


https://www.amazon.com/Sunlite-Stree...008ZTKS1Y?th=1


Looks like they run about 15 or so each after shipping and I have had great experiences with Niagara Cycle.

Is anyone running these and what are your thoughts on them having used them?

My rear rim has a dent/flat spot that you can feel on the brake surface. I tend to get carried away a bit. The last one that had this i ended up getting all new alloy CR-18s, spokes, washers and taught myself how to build up wheels. It was a bit spendy but a fun hobby. Around here cycling on 3 speeds isnt the norm but it should be. Heck they are rugged and ride great IMO. This one is over 50 years old and is still 100% fine. I will probably swap out the rear cog for a 22t to give it gearing that makes more sense. The brooks on it is hard and has a tiny tear starting at the rear where the frame of the saddle ends on one side. I think i can bring it back to life though. That will likely be the last piece to the puzzle once i get the rest of it done. First order of business is getting it torn down and cleaned, lubed and put back together. Then tires.......

Hey, [MENTION=181177]jor[/MENTION]gleuke was looking for whitewalls for his Western Flyer, right? These Sunlite tires you linked to come in black/black or black/white - whitewalls! And for fifteen bucks apiece - I think we found your tires, jorgleuke.

I like Niagara Cycle too. Good outfit. I haven't tried the Sunlites, but I can vouch for the black wall Kenda 590s. They're about the same price.