Originally Posted by nlerner (Post 19732028)

Here's an update on the '68 Sports that I've been re-habbing:

As originally found from a local CL seller:

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4233/...9db1df5b_c.jpg

As of this morning:

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4299/...087002a6_c.jpg

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4318/...77804af2_c.jpg

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4291/...99caf157_c.jpg

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4307/...a98e34c7_c.jpg

That almost bronze-green chain guard was in my stash, and it might not look much better than the black one it came with. Otherwise, I was able to re-use almost everything, including the gear cable and barrel end, chain, and brake cables. I had to pull from the bin the 3-speed trigger, one brake pad, some housing, a matching pair of used tires (the existing rear was shot; front will go back in the bin), and that surprisingly comfortable Schwinn-labeled sprung saddle. The rear wheel isn't particularly round because some spokes are stripped in their nipples, but I actually don't notice it while riding. I also had to straighten the bent steerer on the fork, which wasn't too arduous. And I'm having a heck of a time centering the rear brake (I think the spring has more tension on one side than the other so some judicious bending is in order). Otherwise, the bright parts cleaned up quite well.

Originally Posted by jon.612 (Post 19732594)

It's a "laid back" bmx seatpost. I'm 6'2" riding a 23" bike, but I've found that the bmx world and old Raleighs have a lot in common in terms of parts dimensions, not so much in attitude (I've never said "RAD, Dude!" while riding my Raleigh). Brakes and other parts are good fits and there are some good performance parts that are cheap (Chinese made, but reasonable quality). This is a chromoly seatpost with good chrome - makes this a great fit.

Originally Posted by Cute Boy Horse (Post 19735964)

After having both a return spring snap and the second lever pivot eyebolt come loose, I decided it was time to finally replace the handlebars altogether.

https://s23.postimg.org/3ncesw5cb/IMG_2348.jpg

I found a shop in Germany which imported a bunch of Atlas bikes from India and split them down into individual parts. What's interesting is the thread dimensions are exactly the same as Raleigh, but the across-the-flats of every nut is much larger, more or less 11mm. I like that, much easier 3/16th whitworth spanner in Holland.

The one thing though is that the quality control is non existent. The first pair of these atlas bars I had, the chrome all peeled off and the pivot bolt came totally loose immediately. The second pair seems fine though.

Originally Posted by hillikus (Post 19737121)

Not sure if this is in line with current pricing, but this thing looks beautiful. If I didn't already have too many bikes(as if that can happen) for a military family that moves every few years, this might come home with me. This isn't my bike and I don't have a dog in the fight, just love the older 3 speeds and always keep an eye out for them. I could easily facilitate if someone needed the help.

https://omaha.craigslist.org/bik/d/h...170190874.html

-H

Originally Posted by hillikus (Post 19737121)

Not sure if this is in line with current pricing, but this thing looks beautiful. If I didn't already have too many bikes(as if that can happen) for a military family that moves every few years, this might come home with me. This isn't my bike and I don't have a dog in the fight, just love the older 3 speeds and always keep an eye out for them. I could easily facilitate if someone needed the help.

https://omaha.craigslist.org/bik/d/h...170190874.html

-H

Originally Posted by clubman (Post 19742633)

Raleigh bought Rudge in 43 so it's post war. Big deep handlebars and interesting fluted 3 pin cranks with acorn nuts. Fork bend is free? ;)

Originally Posted by gster (Post 19742623)

Seller in Toronto has this advertised as a 1920's Rudge.
I think it's 50's/ early 60's.
Thoughts?
Attachment 573356

Attachment 573357

Attachment 573358

Originally Posted by BigChief (Post 19743090)

Wow, that's a good one. Raleigh made. (post war) It has the old style (pre 55) head tube lug shape which would make the bolt on cable guide pre 52-53. The latest feature I see is the shifter. Post 1948.

Originally Posted by arty dave (Post 19743131)

I finally got the DL-1 stripped down. I find it really satisfying to break a bike down into its parts. One of the cotter pins broke a g-clamp :( and then the vice popped them both out whole and re-usable.

I found someone to help me with the fork alignment.
I'd like to 're-set' the stance of the bike, as I noticed that the top tube was slanting down towards the front compared to images on here of DL-1's where the top tube looks like it's parallel to the ground. So I think this might mean that there is too much bend in the forks, which might have happened during shipping.
I read somewhere that the rake on a DL-1 fork should be 3 inches - can anyone please take a look at their forks to give me a measurement?
https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4311/...6380b25ba8.jpggeometry_fork_rake copy by arty dave armour, on Flickr
I measured mine by placing a straight-edge along the centre line of the forks. From the straight-edge to the drop-out centre on one side was 85mm (3 & 3/8"), and about 90mm on the other (3 & 1/2")

Originally Posted by capnjonny (Post 19743373)

has anyone tried using a thumb shifter on a SA three speed?

I find the SA shifter a bit vague and clunky and wondered if there is anything else that works better?

Originally Posted by capnjonny (Post 19743373)

has anyone tried using a thumb shifter on a SA three speed?

I find the SA shifter a bit vague and clunky and wondered if there is anything else that works better?

Originally Posted by capnjonny (Post 19743373)

has anyone tried using a thumb shifter on a SA three speed?

I find the SA shifter a bit vague and clunky and wondered if there is anything else that works better?

I have a 1969 Sport in the garage stripped down waiting for me to recover from a broken hip so I can touch up the paint and clear coat it. It is going to be a beautiful bike when finished. I will probably leave it all stock except for a 22 tooth cog in back but might do a little customizing just to be different.

Originally Posted by Salubrious (Post 19743719)

Clunky yes vague not at all! you might want to see if your cable sleeves are gummed up.

Originally Posted by capnjonny (Post 19743373)

has anyone tried using a thumb shifter on a SA three speed?

I find the SA shifter a bit vague and clunky and wondered if there is anything else that works better?

I have a 1969 Sport in the garage stripped down waiting for me to recover from a broken hip so I can touch up the paint and clear coat it. It is going to be a beautiful bike when finished. I will probably leave it all stock except for a 22 tooth cog in back but might do a little customizing just to be different.

Originally Posted by BigChief (Post 19743263)

It's hard to be very precise getting a centerline on the tapered fork, but both of my DL-1s seem to be 3 1/2".

Originally Posted by clubman (Post 19743147)

The original question was whether the bike from the 20's. Which it's not. It's safe to say it's post war, as Raleigh made armaments and military bikes, not consumer models. We're just ID'ing the era, as Big Chief has done nicely.