![]() |
Self-restraint paid off yesterday. I thought all I had was a garden-variety chain-came-off-rear sprocket incident (1962 Phillips with Sturmey-Archer 3-speed), and was perplexed when I couldn't get it back on by putting it in place and then turning the cranks, nothing would move at all, sprocket wouldn't rotate.
So I considered just using a little more force, like pushing on the higher pedal. Nada. Then (late for where I was headed, a short trip) I considered using a LOT of force, like really kicking or standing on the high pedal. But, I didn't. Don't ask me why, it's my usual "hammer mechanic" response, but I didn't. Something looked "wrong". It was the sprocket, it was cockeyed. Oh NO says I, something is fractured or broken, I'll need a new hub, where can i find one, why me God? (typical reaction). But to my surprise, and acting against type, I actually calmed down, walked bike home, used car instead, then took the wheel off later. Turns out all it was, was the circlip had come free of the hub, and the sprocket was off the axle and out of position, so the chain jammed between it and the seat stay. The circlip probably was caught by a too-loose chain as it came off the sprocket followed by the sprocket coming free too. Nothing was damaged (because I hadn't tried to force it) and getting the clip back on wasn't easy, but after a few minutes with improvised tools, it finally snapped back on. Now it's good as "new" I think (I've had this bike since new when I was a kid, no one ever stole it and gradually it has become "vintage", lucky me). And not losing my temper and breaking chain, clip, or even sprocket, paid off. Note to self, try this self-restraint thing a little more often? Anyway, that was my lesson in character-building and shade-tree bike mechanics, courtesy of this reliable old bike. For you gearheads (which I definitely am not) the part was the K 463 Circlip pictured, though of course I did not look it up til today: https://www.google.com/search?q=stur...%3B3510%3B2550 |
Originally Posted by JohnDThompson
(Post 17379445)
I've had more problems with axle keys failing than clutches wearing.
|
Yes, Toronto.
|
3 Attachment(s)
Three Fall Favourites.
Now that fall has arrived here in Canada it's time to think about putting the bikes away. I'm not an all season rider. These three 3 speeds are my everyday bikes with the Canadian built Superbe seeing the most action. I've probably spent the most money on the Superbe over the years from initial purchase @ $160.00 to adding new tires/chain/pedals/pump/brake pads etc.The vintage saddle bag was $10.00 and the vintage Brooks saddle $80.00. http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=424079 From the left: 1964 Glider, 1973 Raleigh Superbe and a 1967 Dunelt. I like to add some oil to the hub and pump up the tires before they're retired for the season. Also, I leave the shifter in the 3rd position to take the tension off the indicator chain.The bikes are hung in the garage and I will occasionally go out and give the back wheel a spin and run through the gears just to circulate the oil. Also, a little Proofide can be applied to the saddle(s). http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=424080 http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=424081 |
1 Attachment(s)
Here's an interesting Craigslist post I learned of through the Gentlemen Cyclist list:
Raleigh DL1 Tourist roadster Raleigh DL1 Tourist roadster - $200 (Lakeville ) Over the summer of 2014 I sold a very nice Raleigh DL1 with rod brakes. I believe it was a 76 (see picture) and I had put a lot of time and money into the bike. I sold it because I was moving out of state. Long story short, the move never happened. I know it may be corny or tacky, but I am making this post in hopes that maybe the buyer will see it. I am curious if you would sell the bike back to me? I would be willing to pay more than what I had sold it for. Its the biggest sellers remorse I've gone through. Corny, I know. Or if anyone else is reading this and you have one for sale, maybe we can work a deal. |
[MENTION=301310]gster[/MENTION] it looks like we have the same Canadian model of Raleigh Superbe. Here's mine, I just did some work on it.
http://i1037.photobucket.com/albums/...pssxdudj9l.jpg Also, here's a 19" 1980 Raleigh Sports I am rebuilding. I posted these elsewhere but I figure they would fit in here for posterity. http://i1037.photobucket.com/albums/...psfvwcncwr.jpg |
3 Attachment(s)
Nice looking Suberbe, and very complete with the Dynohub up front and the Raleigh branded nuts. I can see the little made in Canada sticker by the BB.
Do you have the front fork key? Mine (the one pictured) is my everyday bike. I have another Superbe (1972, made in England) that comes out for special occasions, like the Toronto Vintage Bicycle Show. http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=424302 http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=424301 |
I'm in the midst of re-building a late 1960s Superbe for myself and found that I had to buy two Raleigh Lady's Sports to donate their fenders and chain guard and a few other parts (such as the rear wheel, stem, and bars from one of the Sports). It should all come together, and I'll sell of those Sports in the spring.
|
I like your Superbe. I have a 1972 Ladies Superbe frame in the same olive green sitting in my storage locker at the moment. It isn't in nearly as good condition as yours but the frame details are the same. I've always wondered about the orientation of the dynohub. Some say it should be on the driveside like mine, others to the opposite. Either way, it makes electricity in whatever direction it spins.
|
Yours is correct. On the drive side. Since those photos were taken I flipped it over.
Good eye. |
I started riding as a kid in 1954, black Raleigh 3 speeds were the rage and I hated them.
Schwinn came out with the Corvette's... that's what I got and never looked back. FYI, at that time the Raleigh's were $60 and the Corvette was $75. |
1 Attachment(s)
That would work out today, with an average 3.7% inflation rate over 60 years:
the Raleigh @ $530.00 and the Corvette @ $660.00. Your parents were very generous. An ad from 1960. http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=424327 |
8 Attachment(s)
Here's a 1962 Schwinn Traveler for sale in Hamilton for $400.00
http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=424328http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=424329http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=424330http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=424331http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=424332http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=424333http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=424334 |
Since we got Canada on the phone...I'm heading up to Vancouver BC for three days around the new year (Tues-Wed-Thurs). And I'll be bringing my three speed. Any Vancouver area three speeders interested in a ride? Maybe 'round the Seawall or something along those lines? Please let me know!
|
I've been interested in the possibility of getting my first ever 3 speed. From my research, it seems that a Sturmey Archer would be a solid candidate as far as hubs/shifters go. Raleigh seems to be a good bet. Any others to focus on for a first timer? I've ready through quite a bit of this thread, so I do have an idea of various choices, but would want something rather "trouble free" to start with.
Thanks. |
Originally Posted by Velocivixen
(Post 17412730)
I've been interested in the possibility of getting my first ever 3 speed. From my research, it seems that a Sturmey Archer would be a solid candidate as far as hubs/shifters go. Raleigh seems to be a good bet. Any others to focus on for a first timer? I've ready through quite a bit of this thread, so I do have an idea of various choices, but would want something rather "trouble free" to start with.
Thanks. Aaron :) |
@wahoonc- Thanks. My local CL has his & hers 1973 Raleigh Sprites for $200 (for both - being sold as a pair), and look to be in fantastic shape. Ivory color. Original owners, I believe.
Is Hercules considered a reputable brand? |
Grab them!!!
|
Originally Posted by Velocivixen
(Post 17413527)
@wahoonc- Thanks. My local CL has his & hers 1973 Raleigh Sprites for $200 (for both - being sold as a pair), and look to be in fantastic shape. Ivory color. Original owners, I believe.
Is Hercules considered a reputable brand? Got a link to those Sprites? Some of those came with 5 speed IGH hubs. For your area that sounds like a decent price. Aaron :) |
Originally Posted by wahoonc
(Post 17413608)
Yes to Hercules... I have a couple. Prior to the 1950's, they were a standalone brand, got sucked up by Raleigh in the mid to late 50's if memory serves me. Still decent bikes even after the Raleigh takeover.
Got a link to those Sprites? Some of those came with 5 speed IGH hubs. For your area that sounds like a decent price. Aaron :) 1973 Raleigh Sprites, His and Hers Vintage Woman's Vintage English 3 speed - Sturmey Archer Here's a link to another Hercules nearby. I notice that the head tubes are different on the two and one is the "Hercules 'Tourist'". http://portland.craigslist.org/mlt/bik/4799933383.html I don't want to buy 2 Raleighs and I'm scared to death (not really) of cottered cranks, so I'm just thinking about it at this point. |
Couldn't you just buy them all? I don't see anything wrong with N+4.
|
Originally Posted by Velocivixen
(Post 17413639)
Hi Aaron. Here are the links for both the 1973 Raleigh Sprites and to the Hercules:
1973 Raleigh Sprites, His and Hers Vintage Woman's Vintage English 3 speed - Sturmey Archer Here's a link to another Hercules nearby. I notice that the head tubes are different on the two and one is the "Hercules 'Tourist'". Hercules mens bike I don't want to buy 2 Raleighs and I'm scared to death (not really) of cottered cranks, so I'm just thinking about it at this point. Cottered cranks by themselves are not an issue, knowing how to work on them and/or finding someone that does is the issue... There are quite a few vintage friendly shops in the Portland area. Parts are not an issue. That Hercules is pretty close to the one I fixed up for my sister. Hers is a 1964, built by Hercules for AMF. Aaron :) https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8572/...e0986bb1_c.jpg |
Originally Posted by dweenk
(Post 17413658)
Couldn't you just buy them all? I don't see anything wrong with N+4.
Aaron :) |
[MENTION=24271]wahoonc[/MENTION] - Thanks. You've got a good eye. So when you suggest the Hercules, which one? The first link - the step through or the second link - the diamond frame (notice I'm not saying "mens" & "women's"? :thumb:
|
Originally Posted by Velocivixen
(Post 17413639)
I don't want to buy 2 Raleighs and I'm scared to death (not really) of cottered cranks, so I'm just thinking about it at this point.
|
Originally Posted by Velocivixen
(Post 17413750)
[MENTION=24271]wahoonc[/MENTION] - Thanks. You've got a good eye. So when you suggest the Hercules, which one? The first link - the step through or the second link - the diamond frame (notice I'm not saying "mens" & "women's"? :thumb:
Which ever one will work for you the best. The diamond frame is a good bit older than the step through version, it obviously needs more TLC. The diamond frame looks like about a 21" the step through is probably a 19". My sister is 5'-10" and rides the step through just fine, however she is a neighborhood cruiser type rider. Aaron :) |
[MENTION=330095]Salubrious[/MENTION] & [MENTION=24271]wahoonc[/MENTION] - great! I've made contact with the step through Hercules to see Fri or Sat morning. Won't contact the older Hercules seller. Still haven't heard from the Raleigh's owners. Those Raleighs look like they have fantastic paint, so wanted to see. But, if they're derailleured, then that defeats the purpose of a SA 3 speed hub.
I watched a video on how to take apart, clean, lube & reassemble a SA hub as well as how to adjust the shifting, parts involved, etc. I spoke with a local bike mechanic who specializes in internally geared hub and she did say that for the SA I would require an extremely thin cone wrench. She said most file a regular cone wrench thinner. Anyway, don't want to hijack this thread, and if I get one, I'll post on here or start a new thread. Thanks. |
I wouldn't worry too much about having to tear down and rebuild the hub. I have one with over 50,000 (probably) miles on it. I tore it down a while back just because... all it needed was pawl springs. FWIW I have around 20 bikes with S-A hubs, mostly the AW three speed and they are extremely reliable. I have found there are typically two adjustments that need to be kept track of, the cable/indicator chain and the left bearing. Keep those in tune, add a bit of oil every now and again and you will be rolling along just fine for years to come.
Good luck and bring some pictures back to this thread. I wouldn't worry too much about going off topic, this thread kind of meanders as it is, as long as it is about three speeds you can't go wrong. :thumb: Aaron :) |
Originally Posted by Velocivixen
(Post 17413938)
I watched a video on how to take apart, clean, lube & reassemble a SA hub as well as how to adjust the shifting, parts involved, etc. I spoke with a local bike mechanic who specializes in internally geared hub and she did say that for the SA I would require an extremely thin cone wrench. She said most file a regular cone wrench thinner.
Anyway, don't want to hijack this thread, and if I get one, I'll post on here or start a new thread. Thanks. If a hub seems gummed up, give it a shot of WD 40 in the oil port and take it for a ride. They will usually start shifting properly in a mile or two, usually just a couple of blocks. I've got a 4-speed on my Humber that needed a little more- a shot of Kroil and a short ride. Once it was shifting right I drained it and put a bit of automatic transmission fluid in and its been great. BTW automatic transmission fluid works really well in these hubs. I've used it for years. |
Originally Posted by Velocivixen
(Post 17413639)
Hi Aaron. Here are the links for both the 1973 Raleigh Sprites and to the Hercules
Classic Raleigh Sports Step-Through English Commuter Bike SHOP TUNED |
All times are GMT -6. The time now is 07:20 PM. |
Copyright © 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.