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-   -   For the love of English 3 speeds... (https://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=623699)

Old Fat Guy 07-02-10 10:39 PM

If anyone is interested, The local scrap guy stopped by the other day and has a Raleigh rod brake bike, complete, but rough. Black, men's, about a 23". He would like to unload the bits. PM me if interested. I have pics.

Fir 07-03-10 08:36 AM

The Ashatbullas on my tand- er that is, BBF2 are making me a bit cranky because I want to easily remove them from the back end to use that space as cargo. My goal is to have long or short cranks depending on who the stoker is or no cranks in case of extra large baskets, and to be able to do the swap over on the road with minimum tools... Quick realease cranks would be ideal. I suppose that material might be tough to drill through...

Hmm...

nlerner 07-03-10 10:15 AM

I thought I'd document this one as it's now packed up in a box and on the way to my brother in Ohio. An AMF Hercules, rear hub date 1969 (and the 13th month!), remarkably well preserved. My brother owned one of these as a kid in this color, I believe, and has long looked for a replacement. However, I think by 1969 he owned a Schwinn Varsity.

http://web.mit.edu/nlerner/Public/Bikes/AMFHerc1.jpg

http://web.mit.edu/nlerner/Public/Bikes/AMFHerc2.jpg

http://web.mit.edu/nlerner/Public/Bikes/AMFHerc3.jpg

http://web.mit.edu/nlerner/Public/Bikes/AMFHerc4.jpg

http://web.mit.edu/nlerner/Public/Bikes/AMFHerc5.jpg

Neal

gna 07-03-10 02:05 PM


Originally Posted by nlerner (Post 11055987)
I thought I'd document this one as it's now packed up in a box and on the way to my brother in Ohio.

Neal

Very nice. Do you have any shipping pointers? I'm giving my brother a Triumph 3-speed, but I need to get it to Birmingham, AL.

nlerner 07-03-10 03:22 PM


Originally Posted by gna (Post 11056651)
Very nice. Do you have any shipping pointers? I'm giving my brother a Triumph 3-speed, but I need to get it to Birmingham, AL.

I use FedEx ground as it's usually the least expensive and very convenient to me as there's a FedEx/Kinkos just down the street from my house. Shipping a 46 lb. bike box from Boston to Cleveland was about $38.

Neal

greengage 07-03-10 08:48 PM

I'm a little smitten with the rod brake Raleighs--where are you located?

greengage 07-03-10 08:56 PM

$38--seriously? All of the shipping fees I always see quoted seem to be $100 plus. Do you have to dismantle it or is that packed "as-is?"

Andrew F 07-03-10 10:13 PM

Found the vunerable spot on my raleigh sport today. Rounding a corner a hit a very smallish pothole, :eek:didn't think to much of it other than making a mental not for the next time. :thumb: Applying a bit a rear brake, I noticed the something was wrong.:( I struck the rim at the exact location were the valve stem hole is located, apprently the weakest spot! Arghhh! It put a crimp in the side of the rim, it's out of round. I though I might try working the crimp out using an auto body hammer but I think that will end up being a wast of time. It was such a nice rim.:twitchy:

Sixty Fiver 07-03-10 10:28 PM

Some shops have a tool for straightening steel rims and this is one of their virtues over aluminium... a dent won't kill them.

In some cases I have used a circular wheel jig to straighten old steel wheels if they are the type that are hard to replace.

wmartinhickman 07-04-10 07:06 AM

I am spending the summer in Western Africa and have found a whole lot of these 3-speed bicycles just like the ones pictured on this forum, including Raleigh, Rivel, Gazelle and other brands. They are identical to almost all of the bikes pictured on this forum - plus a lot of dirt. I am not well knowledged in vintage bicycles. I am trying to learn as much as I can because I am coming to love these bikes I am finding here. I have noticed that most of the bikes have 28" rims vs. 26" rims, they have front and rear fenders with head and tail lights. I don't know how to tell the age of the bikes, but they are mostly all from either England or Holland. I really want to learn as much as I can about them so that I can buy a few, refurbish them, and take them back to the States with me. I would greatly appreciate any help!!!! I will try to get some pics of them.

noglider 07-04-10 07:32 AM

Sturmey Archer puts a date of manufacture on the rear hub shell. The bike is almost always built in the year of the hub or the year thereafter. This will help you date the bikes.

I think as a rule, the 28" wheel bikes have rod brakes and the 26" wheel bikes have caliper/cable brakes. There are exceptions, and I know a lot less about the Dutch bikes than the English bikes, so this general rule may not apply to the Dutch bikes.

I'm look at a lot of craigslist ads with mens three-speeds lately. I've finally found my holy grail, but I haven't turned the alert off, because I'm enjoying seeing the ads. If you want to see what I'm seeing, set up a google alert and use the search terms "mens 3 speed site:craigslist.org".

terraskye 07-04-10 07:37 AM


Originally Posted by noglider (Post 11058917)
Sturmey Archer puts a date of manufacture on the rear hub shell. The bike is almost always built in the year of the hub or the year thereafter. This will help you date the bikes.

I think as a rule, the 28" wheel bikes have rod brakes and the 26" wheel bikes have caliper/cable brakes. There are exceptions, and I know a lot less about the Dutch bikes than the English bikes, so this general rule may not apply to the Dutch bikes.

I'm look at a lot of craigslist ads with mens three-speeds lately. I've finally found my holy grail, but I haven't turned the alert off, because I'm enjoying seeing the ads. If you want to see what I'm seeing, set up a google alert and use the search terms "mens 3 speed site:craigslist.org".

OOOO I'm so setting up my own alert!!!! I didn't know you could do that and I was always wondering how everyone got their CL finds!!

Thanks!

nlerner 07-04-10 07:51 AM


Originally Posted by greengage (Post 11057958)
$38--seriously? All of the shipping fees I always see quoted seem to be $100 plus. Do you have to dismantle it or is that packed "as-is?"

This is a DIY operation: I used a standard bike box (roughly 53" x 31" x 8"), and removed pedals, saddle and post, front wheel, front fender, front rack, stem/bars. I didn't disconnect the gear cable or rear brake so that my brother can just put the handlebar stem in and be good to go. There's lots of info out there on packing up bicycles, such as this one.

Neal

wmartinhickman 07-04-10 08:18 AM

im going to check that alert thing out! I've never even heard of that!

TuckamoreDew 07-04-10 01:47 PM


Originally Posted by Sixty Fiver (Post 11041786)

I really like this one. If you ever wanted to get rid of it.....:)

wmartinhickman 07-04-10 05:40 PM

4 Attachment(s)
Alright. I went back to the market today and took pictures of the bikes. I also bought one. From the date on the hub it is a 1975 Raleigh. Everything appears to be original, except the right hand brake and the seat. Let me know what you think, it cost about $56 dollars here.

Attachment 158336Attachment 158337Attachment 158338Attachment 158339

old's'cool 07-04-10 07:06 PM


Originally Posted by greengage (Post 11057958)
$38--seriously? All of the shipping fees I always see quoted seem to be $100 plus. Do you have to dismantle it or is that packed "as-is?"

This was a few years ago now, but I shipped a 75lb transmission on FedEx ground from Seattle to New Jersey for about 20 bux.

wahoonc 07-05-10 07:10 AM


Originally Posted by wmartinhickman (Post 11060712)
Alright. I went back to the market today and took pictures of the bikes. I also bought one. From the date on the hub it is a 1975 Raleigh. Everything appears to be original, except the right hand brake and the seat. Let me know what you think, it cost about $56 dollars here.

Attachment 158336Attachment 158337Attachment 158338Attachment 158339


WOW! Trying to give us heart palpitations:love: I haven't seen a line up of fendered bikes like that in years!:lol:

The one you have has a drum front brake and that little bracket on the fork is for a bottle generator. Price seems decent enough.

FWIW I have seen rod brakes on everything from a 20" wheeled bike on up.

Aaron :)

http://inlinethumb02.webshots.com/46...600x600Q85.jpg

Aaron :)

wmartinhickman 07-05-10 09:08 AM

ha. Well if you want one let me know, there are tons of them and considering where they are they are in good shape! I am about to go out and try to find a market that sells the generator and the lights. It has the wires already run, but apparently someone just stole the lights. I haven't seen any with rod brakes yet. Tell me this, what are the advantages/disadvantages of the drum brake?

noglider 07-05-10 10:55 AM

Google alerts are a MIGHTY powerful thing, and I hesitate to share it with others, since I give away my advantage. But there you are, and I can't exactly ask you NOT to spread the word.

My father in law is sometimes in the press, so I have an alert with his name. Every so often, I send him email, saying I've read the article about him, and he asks me what I'm doing reading the Palm Beach Press or some other obscure newspaper.

Fir 07-07-10 02:37 PM

Thanks Tom! Greeeat tip. The secret's safe with us :-)

I just found a Pletscher rack, an Italian "alom" (sp?) kickstand, a chrome CCM chainring and a shiny AW hub in my LBS's bins of old stuff. They let me have it all for a customer loyalty inducing pittance. You have to love an LBS who keeps all that old stuff in bins and lets you paw through it whenever you like. A guy can get lost for hours in there...

I'm spinning Malian Tunes in honour of Martin. Some of this world's best music. Habib Koite wrox. Wondering which is the better souvenir, the 3 spd itself or the memories of tooling through the savannahs of Mali on one... What is the countryside like there?

curbtender 07-07-10 02:58 PM


Originally Posted by wmartinhickman (Post 11062494)
ha. Well if you want one let me know, there are tons of them and considering where they are they are in good shape! I am about to go out and try to find a market that sells the generator and the lights. It has the wires already run, but apparently someone just stole the lights. I haven't seen any with rod brakes yet. Tell me this, what are the advantages/disadvantages of the drum brake?

They've been shipping a lot of bikes from here to Africa http://mikesbikes.com/articles/afric...rive-pg591.htm

desconhecido 07-07-10 03:28 PM


Originally Posted by curbtender (Post 11074875)
They've been shipping a lot of bikes from here to Africa http://mikesbikes.com/articles/afric...rive-pg591.htm

Hey, that's great. Ship bikes from SF to Zimbabwe and give them to needy Africans who can exercise their entrepreneurial spirit by selling them to Americans who can then ship them back to the US. Think of all the jobs this will create.

terraskye 07-09-10 04:35 PM


Originally Posted by Sixty Fiver (Post 11009408)
Was out and about today and got to talking to a fellow and his friend who was riding a Raleigh Sprite 5 speed and he said he had a Raleigh lady's bike with "stick brakes" that he would like to sell and discovered that he lives all of 5 minutes from my house.

She looks a little used but after putting some air in her original Raleigh branded tyres took her for a spin around the block and aside from a wheel that will need some vertical truing she's a grand riding old gal that would fit a lady of about five foot seven or eight quite well.

The fellow said he wanted the bike to go to someone who would appreciate her and know of a person who has some loop frame lust that needs to be sated.

D:

http://www.ravingbikefiend.com/bikepics/dl1lady1.jpg

http://www.ravingbikefiend.com/bikepics/dl1lady2.jpg

Her saddle is in fine and rather supple shape and just needs a little rub down... but don't we all ?

http://www.ravingbikefiend.com/bikepics/dl1ladyb66.jpg

Most of the work she needs is aesthetic and that speaks well of a bike that is 32 years old and has been sleeping in a garage.


She is home and is much love:) I need to move her into the living room though so she gets constant attention:D Thanks again Sixty-Fiver!!! You really ARE my Super Bike Mechanic:D

greengage 07-09-10 07:17 PM

Huzzah!!! I hope you have a weekend of great riding ahead (and polishing and admiring and all the other nice getting-to-know-you stuff). With all luck, mine is arriving in about a week and a half--will keep you posted!

Originally Posted by terraskye (Post 11086644)
She is home and is much love:) I need to move her into the living room though so she gets constant attention:D Thanks again Sixty-Fiver!!! You really ARE my Super Bike Mechanic:D


archaehologist 07-09-10 07:58 PM

Finally cleaned her up and took some decent pics...

http://i388.photobucket.com/albums/o...o/P1050723.jpg

http://i388.photobucket.com/albums/o...o/P1050725.jpg

http://i388.photobucket.com/albums/o...o/P1050728.jpg

http://i388.photobucket.com/albums/o...o/P1050729.jpg

http://i388.photobucket.com/albums/o...o/P1050727.jpg

http://i388.photobucket.com/albums/o...o/P1050731.jpg

Fir 07-26-10 01:41 PM

Think I need some asseestaunse. I put some Schwalbe Marathons 26 x 1.75 on my "CCM Tandem" (pic earlier this thread) and they just big for the rims. Diameter wise. Thump thump thump thump egg shape too big. If there's no air pressure the tyres just fall off. I guess the bike would have been constructed in the 70's sometime? Was 26 X 1.75 a different diameter back then? Anyway, the schwalbes ask for up to 75lbs, so I put in 60 lbs and after a few little trips, (and a deflation and repump last night to try and centre the tyres) this AM after 6km and a little sunbathing (the tyres not me), the rear went off sounding like a carbomb. Maybe it was the sunshine or the friction and pinching or a combination of the two...?

I find too frequently when I pump up to max recommended inflation and then the tyres sit in the sun for a while, kaboom. Sheesh.

mkeller234 08-04-10 03:04 AM

I finished up my DL-1 this afternoon, I spent the past 3 days with it and broke it down piece by piece. I just need to make the normal small adjustments and then I am set. It's a fun bike to have around and the first 3 speed that is big enough.

No pretty scenery today... just a bleak wall.
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4102/...af01df5c_b.jpg
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4121/...62f0130e_b.jpg
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4119/...89056f5b_b.jpg
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4135/...5b762d45_b.jpg
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4098/...aa44c441_b.jpg

noglider 08-04-10 07:47 AM

Amazing work, Matt. Please let us know how you find the ride to be.

I tried someone's DL1 a few months ago. I just tooled around a parking lot, and it was, as you'd expect, slow and smooth, very relaxed.

mkeller234 08-10-10 06:09 PM


Originally Posted by noglider (Post 11229220)
Amazing work, Matt. Please let us know how you find the ride to be.

I tried someone's DL1 a few months ago. I just tooled around a parking lot, and it was, as you'd expect, slow and smooth, very relaxed.

Thank you Tom. I'd say smooth and slow is a good description. You can get it moving pretty good with a little effort, although it's not a good idea down hills with the rod brakes. I swapped the rear cog with a 20t, which just barely fit. The new cog makes life a little easier and I spend most of my time in 2nd gear.

I haven't ventured more than 5-10 miles at a time on it yet, most riding has been my work commute.


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