Originally Posted by SirMike1983 (Post 20361659)

For those of you riding old Schwinn 3-speeds from the 1940s-60s, the MKS 3000S pedals are now seeing some availability online from sellers in Japan. The cost to ship them to the US is not cheap, though the pedals themselves are not terribly expensive ($40-45 per set with shipping included). The issue is that classic-type pedals in the 1/2 inch size are tough to find in new condition these days. I was happy to find MKS 3000s pedals fit Schwinn cranks.

https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-keB82I_KH...526_131905.jpg

https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CQw9sbys2...526_130531.jpg

Originally Posted by BigChief (Post 20361694)

Those look really nice.Considering how well made their touring pedals are, these seem to be an excellent choice for our English 3 speed roadsters as well.Too bad retailers in the US don't stock them. It's like the brown Kenda 590 tires that aren't available from US sellers. Too bad.

Originally Posted by BigChief (Post 20361015)

I think I may have stumbled across the reason so few early 50s handlebar grips survived over the years. I always assumed grips made before the age of vinyl polymers were natural rubber. Looks like I was wrong. Here's a pair of old German made grips from an eBay ad labeled "celluloid" Perhaps the use of celluloid grips was common on 3 speeds from this time. I don't know much about plastics, but I think it's safe to assume this early form of plastic broke down rather quickly and this is why we see so few bikes from this era with original grips today.

Originally Posted by thumpism (Post 20357301)

Here you go; no mere English 3-speed but one with a motor, numberplates and a dustbin fairing. Bet those rod brakes are a thrill on this one.

https://richmond.craigslist.org/mcy/...597120177.html
VINTAGE 1951 CYMOTA CYCLEMOTOR 45CC ON RALEIGH MEN'S BIKE - $675 (Williamsburg)

https://images.craigslist.org/00f0f_...I7_600x450.jpg
1951 CYMOTA
condition: fair
engine displacement (CC): 45
fuel: gas
transmission: other
CYMOTA CYCLEMOTER HISTORY: The Cymota was a copy of the VeloSolex 650 (45cc, 0.3 hp) and was made by Cymota Motor Components Ltd at Leamington Road, Erdington, Birmingham, UK, between 1950 and 1952. After WWII, money was scarce, fuel still in short supply and the UK was struggling to get back on its feet. People had to get to work and public transportation could not handle the load. Cars were not cheap but cyclemotors were. Attaching one to a bicycle gave the citizenry freedom of travel and a means to get to their jobs. Hence the surge of CYCLEMOTORS. Many brands and designs popped up throughout England and western Europe. CYMOTA was one. A clever design, the friction drive would power the front wheel up to 20mph and a tank of fuel would last "forever".

The engine was covered by a sheet-metal cowling and a 1.7 litre fuel tank is mounted above the two cycle engine. A Miller magneto ignition is fitted with an Amal 308/12 (12 mm) carburetor. (scroll down)

Blue Star Garages in England appeared as the sole concessionaires, selling it as a clip-on cycle motor, its manufacturer given as Cymo Ltd and it was advertised as "The sensation of the nation". Only about 200 Cymota units were sold. Although a scarce cyclemotor, parts sources are available in the UK. I know where they are......

Enough of this: I offer a 1951 CYMOTA mounted on a period RALEIGH men's 26 inch bike. It needs restoration. Manuals and parts are available in the UK and readily accessible. Cyclemotor clubs in the UK are always willing to offer advice on restorations. This CYMOTA appears to be intact. It even has the exhaust pipe (almost always missing). There is kinship with bicycles and motorcycles. It is a scarce example of motoring history.

The CYMOTA and RALEIGH bike reside in Williamsburg. The price is only $675.

Originally Posted by thumpism (Post 20357301)

Here you go; no mere English 3-speed but one with a motor, numberplates and a dustbin fairing. Bet those rod brakes are a thrill on this one.

After WWII, money was scarce, fuel still in short supply and the UK was struggling to get back on its feet. People had to get to work and public transportation could not handle the load. Cars were not cheap but cyclemotors were. Attaching one to a bicycle gave the citizenry freedom of travel and a means to get to their jobs. Hence the surge of CYCLEMOTORS. Many brands and designs popped up throughout England and western Europe. CYMOTA was one. A clever design, the friction drive would power the front wheel up to 20mph and a tank of fuel would last "forever".

Originally Posted by BigChief (Post 20361694)

Those look really nice.Considering how well made their touring pedals are, these seem to be an excellent choice for our English 3 speed roadsters as well.Too bad retailers in the US don't stock them. It's like the brown Kenda 590 tires that aren't available from US sellers. Too bad.

Originally Posted by Bicyclz (Post 20361068)

I gear it so that top gear is my 'normal' single speed gear.

Originally Posted by Bicyclz (Post 20361029)

So I experiment with rattle cans to see what transpires.

Originally Posted by paulb_in_bkln (Post 20362149)

My recollection is the ones from Britain used to whirl around with a rattly sound, like they were adjusted on the loose side. I imagine the MKS versions don't rattle.

Originally Posted by BigChief (Post 20362171)

I use MKS Sylvan Touring pedals on any bike I put much mileage on. I think their quality is excellent, but I am used to riding more modest bicycles. Still, they get a 5 star rating from me.

Originally Posted by Mickey2 (Post 20362076)

I don't know much about plastics, but I have picked up a bit of info over the years. Well into the 50s and even 60s natural rubber was still widely used, but gradually was replaced by synthetic immitations of it. Celluloid were a general term used for these early types of plastic and some of them were quite hard and durable, bexit, textolite, melamin, bakelite, were more specific brand names. Bakelite were taken in use very generally too. Some of these plastics were black or brown, some types like melamin came in white and could be dyed various colors. They had transparent versions of it, and it was used in jewlry and could be made to look like horn, tortoise shell and amber. I have a couple of folding knifes with Bexit handles, they have been in use for at least 70 years, and for years one of them was an every day tool for a boat mechanic. They are Well used and still in good condition. By 1950 the newer plastics had arrived and were quickly taken in use. Depending on storage and quality, this type of plastic can still be in good usable condition. Cellulose and formaldehyde resin derived plastics were in use well before 1900, but I guess you could find these type of bike handles from as early as 1910 at least not far from. I have seen various materials used for pre WWII bike handles, wood, cork, bexit, leather (used like handle bar tape).

Originally Posted by Bicyclz (Post 20361029)

I got a French Diamant that had a strange 3 speed derailler, so I installed an SA AM hub in it.
Transformed!!
https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...7fb32a1fc9.jpg
This machine (especially if you like the curvy mixtes) has lots of lovely details & was overpainted when I got it.
So I experiment with rattle cans to see what transpires. I like the coffee & cream scheme. Needs the BB & seat-tube top lug picking out here to finish IMO.
The chain-guard might do with some details also?

Originally Posted by BigChief (Post 20362207)

For some reason, they didn't last long. Today, almost every early 50s English roadster you find will have the originals replaced with either Hunt Wilde or Schwinn grips. On the other hand, 3 speeds from the 60s on typically have their original grips. A late 60s Sports could be beat into the ground but those Dare grips still look like new. I've been trying to research the originals for a project I'm working on and even finding a clear image of early grips is hard to find. I did come up with this one from an eBay ad.
https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...e2db6717ee.jpg

Originally Posted by arty dave (Post 20362235)

That is a very nice looking bike, lovely curves, cool looking cranks and split block pedals, perfect fenders ....I vote no to decals...looks great as it is!

Originally Posted by BigChief (Post 20362207)

For some reason, they didn't last long. Today, almost every early 50s English roadster you find will have the originals replaced with either Hunt Wilde or Schwinn grips. On the other hand, 3 speeds from the 60s on typically have their original grips. A late 60s Sports could be beat into the ground but those Dare grips still look like new. I've been trying to research the originals for a project I'm working on and even finding a clear image of early grips is hard to find. I did come up with this one from an eBay ad.

Originally Posted by arty dave (Post 20362235)

That is a very nice looking bike, lovely curves, cool looking cranks and split block pedals, perfect fenders ....I vote no to decals...looks great as it is!

Originally Posted by paulb_in_bkln (Post 20362369)

Now I've rebuilt three AW hubs I finally understand the points in Jobst Brandt's old thread criticizing them. I never experienced a hub kicking out of third gear--first and second, yes. But I know I'm not and never was as strong as Brandt. It's not just SA, though: the Nexus 8 from Shimano also slips, which I think is because with the fine spacing between gears the cable adjustment has to be perfect. After riding in the rain, moisture getting into the shift cable housing can throw it off just a little. Shimano warns in the booklet that ships with the hub against standing on the pedals. It is very, very irritating when this occurs. Anyway if anyone hasn't seen this old discussion, it's still available here:

Originally Posted by arty dave (Post 20363135)

That made me chuckle, thanks :) We are all going to die as these hubs have malicious intent for us dive over the handlebars.

Originally Posted by arty dave (Post 20363135)

That made me chuckle, thanks :) We are all going to die as these hubs have malicious intent for us dive over the handlebars. I myself have died several times riding with these hubs :) It sounds like he was mashing so hard that he was quite possibly overloading the hub. OK to be fair he is specifically talking about out of the saddle sprinting in 3rd gear...
Maybe I've been lucky with hubs as the ones I've rebuilt have had very little wear...apart from the AB hub that had some broken teeth on a planet pinion...not that the hub seemed to care. I think a lot of the hubs we come across were geared so high that most users wouldn't have shifted into 3rd very often, also reducing wear.

Originally Posted by SirMike1983 (Post 20363282)

Hot and humid this weekend - ride time with Raleigh and Schwinn 3-speeds: 1958 Raleigh Sports; 1947 Continental and 1941 New World.