I agree with Unca_Sam...never seen the likes of it. Your assessment of the frame seems spot (welded) on. I think it's earlier than the wheelset but it's likely not out of the Hercules factory. The Birmingham Wrights also backs up a time frame of the pre-Raleigh takeover of BCC. Hows it ride?

Nice looking Peugeot Kuupola. Have you posted this in the Bikes on Bridges thread?

We have stretched this thread to include non-English bikes, and non-three-speed Sturmey-Archer hubs. I have often thought we need a separate sub-forum for Vintage internally geared hub bikes.

Quaint-looking old Sports for $50 in OH.

https://www.facebook.com/marketplace...17054830027848

https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net...Ew&oe=6315C6B7

I am thinking the saddle will be OK for what I want it for. I want to put it on a prewar raleigh roadster, which I won’t be riding hundreds of miles.

I hopped it up some and it looks ok with some cosmetic cracks in the finish.

“gooped”

https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...2d5f9f866.jpeg
The TimeLine at the beach last weekend. It sports an S-RF3 hub.
https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...4d87b92e61.jpg
The remains of the Schwinn beneath the remains of the Trek.
Is "inspired by the love of English three speeds" okay to add here? I had an American three speed, a Schwinn Speedster: It got crushed by a truck 10 years ago, along with my single speed Trek Cruiser. I replaced them with a BikesDirect Windsor TimeLine because it was light enough and compact enough to carry to my fourth floor walkup. Rode that bike everywhere, but missed having a three speed and started thinking about having a hub put on it. Moved to another part of Brooklyn and broke down and got a Linus Gaston 3; wonderful bike, but I wound up converting the Windsor anyway, so I have two three speeds. For NYC, they are great. I haven't tried to take on the hills of the Bronx and the Hudson Valley yet, but I want to try getting to Bear Mountain this Fall. Anyway, pics (including the remains of the Schwinn) attached.

https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...c8b5113df.jpeg
The Gaston 3, with an also with an S-RF3, shifter on the downtube.

1967 Raleigh Sprite 5 speed out on a recent evening.

https://blogger.googleusercontent.co...50923096_n.jpg

His 'n' hers '51 Savoys for $300 in VA. Check them chainguards!

https://richmond.craigslist.org/bik/...528848665.html

https://images.craigslist.org/01616_...t2_600x450.jpg

Pretty bike--Looks much like my Indian (by Phillips). 3 speed hub dated 52

$30 ladies' Sports in OH includes a less desirable bike.

https://www.facebook.com/marketplace...84698325064446

https://scontent.fric1-2.fna.fbcdn.n...4g&oe=6316F523

Looks like the saddle is worth the $30.

I've lost this clamp for mounting my chain guard. Is there anything that might be better/easier to obtain than an original? Thanks!

https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...0423f1db74.png

Not hard to fabricate a replacement, but can PM me and I can look through my 3 spd hardware for the least corroded piece for postage?

that would be incredible!

P clamps in the wiring section, HD, HF, Ace, most auto parts, etc, etc. ;)

This is when and where a step through really shines IMO, when these were brand new, the shiny women's version with an accent like that chaingaurd has style for miles compared to the mens.

Could be a S/A 3 Speed.....
There's a shifter...
https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...97f1aebdd4.jpg

Probably a Cyclo Benelux conversion. There's 3 on-the-tree and 3 on-the-floor!

I started a 6 speed project in the spring but haven't pursued it.
https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...d2cf46dab7.jpg

My 1958 Sun Cresta had one of those! I could never get the chain to run true on the jockey roller so I modified a Sun Tour one for it.

https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...9e5913104d.jpg
https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...24d43305ae.jpg
https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...35dcda3780.jpg

Nice work!
What size chain did you use?
I think that's what hung me up.
The master link was catching

Could even be a 4 speed. ;)

Why not remove the master and just use a chain breaker to connect two links. At least to verify nothing else rubs the wrong way.

A lot of things are rubbing the wrong way these days........

I used a 3/32 f5/6 speed chain on the Sun, but recently did up a Raleigh Challenger/Sports using a 1/8 chain on a Suntour derailleur. It worked fine with the SRAM PC1 nickel plate chain. I used the bars, brake levers and chain ring off a scrapped 79 step through Sports. Here is a picture of the Raleigh.
https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...ccf77cec7a.jpg
https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...4c90b3ad81.jpg
https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...de0eb352c3.jpg

Hi fellows. I'm thinking of locating a '50s or '60s Sports frame and building a 650b wheelset to make it into a foul weather / rougher roads four-season commuter, either with semi-upright handlebars or drops. I have a '56 AW and '49 GH6 hubs handy - I'd use the GH6 to power a Sturmey lampset off of a '49 Clubman that I have in the parts bin. I think the Sports frame can handle up to 40mmish tires, and the frames/parts bikes are cheap to come by, relatively speaking - so that's the initial outline of the plan.

Thoughts? Musings? Suggestions of alternatives? Condemnations? All welcome.

Seems like a worthy project. Biggest issue will be finding effective brakes that have the reach you need. Standard steel brakes already have fairly long arms, and you'll need another 3mm of reach. Perhaps do-able with existing brakes?

Re: brakes, I'm hoping the originals with some kool-stop pads will be suitable, though I do have a tektro set handy that would likely provide the needed reach. Neal, you've posted a 650b winter commuter with Soma tires before and I'm taking it as inspiration. I am not quite prepared to modify my Competition for 650 x 42mm quite yet, and I don't want to subject it to our very nasty winters. I've tried 35mm studded tires on an old hybrid during a few winter commutes, and I find that the low temps here render the rubber portion useless, and I end up riding only on the studs, which isn't great heading into corners. I like your solution of wider and yet grippy tires for stability.

Calling all Late 60's-Early 70's Raleigh Superbe Owners!

Would one of you provide a measurement from the rear eyelet to the brake bolt? I found a rack that has fixed mounting points, and my 21" 1969 Superbe is near where I bought it through my agreeable uncle, who is currently out of state. Yes, this request is odd, but it is still a great help for me. TIA!