Raleigh Laurentian 3 Speed
 

A recent Kijiji listing for an early 60's Raleigh Laurentian. These were specific models made for the Canadian market. A good looking bike at a reasonable $135.00 asking price.

Triumph 3 Speed
 

Another current Toronto, Kijiji listing. A vintage Triumph 3 speed listed at $100.00.

I've not used them in this context, but was never able to get Kenda tires to seat well on my old Schwinn Speedster (ISO 597 steel rims). I'm in the midst of an upgrade which includes switching to an alloy ISO 590 (650A) wheelset. I chose the Panaracer Col de la Vie. I've not yet ridden the bike with the new setup, but have always had good luck with Panaracer Paselas. It's not clear that the slightly wider tire (40mm v. 37mm) will fit all traditional English roadsters, but if you have the clearance, that might be an option.

I planned to switch to a MAFAC Racer brake up front, but it looks like I might need something with more reach. (I doubt the original Schwinn Approved Weinmann brake would have reached either). The upgraded pig will have a Sturmey-Archer XRD3 rear hub (drum brake).

1958 Robin Hood 3 Speed
 

This one's still for sale on Kijiji, Toronto. A rare bike, the current owner has spent quite a bit of time cleaning it up and re-packing bearings etc. Comes with a working Dynohub and a nice period frame pump.He's asking $270.00.

Odd Ball 3 Speed
 

I guess the owner likes the bars this way...

Well, I asked once or twice what is considered the "proper" set up/angle for North Road bars and was told there is none. I suspect there is. Whoever designed the bars back in the ancient days of Raleighdom I am sure had an idea in his head of how they should be set.

Long ago, I was racing Crits and I took my bike into a shop to have repairs made and a grizzled and scared gent came out and nearly beat me for having my Pinarello set up incorrectly. He snatched the bike from me and looked me over and adjusted everything and then said, this is how you shall ride this bike or do not come back to my shop. O-K-A-Y! Well that is where it is to this day. And he specifically told me that drop bars bottoms shall be parallel to the earth :twitchy:. I do not care what ya'll do but I imagine if I was to twist my drops to an angle that old feller would come after me so I figure there is a "setting" as well for other bar types :D.

But maybe not :foo:.

I have been angling the NR bars slightly down which seems comfortable to me since I prefer a good drop to my bars and a somewhat more sporting position on the bike which is infinity more comfortable and efficient to me than set up with the bars way up in the air and angled upward. My point, perhaps it depends upon how one sets the saddle to the bars, saddle/bar drop, as to the "correct" angle for the bars which should be a neutral position of the wrists maybe?

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b3...psdxmehpn1.jpg

J

Cool Peugeot.
It's for sale too. $700 (Not mine)
https://sfbay.craigslist.org/eby/bik/5834577868.html

https://images.craigslist.org/00q0q_...p_1200x900.jpg

His 'n Hers Raleigh Superbes on Chicago CL
 

I think I've outed this pair in the past before, but they are still available. His 'n hers Raliegh Superbes for $625.

RALEIGH SUPERBE

https://images.craigslist.org/00O0O_...o_1200x900.jpg
https://images.craigslist.org/00b0b_...k_1200x900.jpg

Nice! Key might be finding frame without shift bosses like this. On my project list.

I like the old fan on the work bench, I have a couple of them, one runs, the other needs rewound, they were my grandparents. J

Yeah, I have one too. Built like a tank and has that neat hinge for oscillation. GE I think.

Wish my workspace was as spartan.

Owner thinks this one's good
 

Another Kijiji ad in Toronto,
No rust dent or damage!

I'm not convinced there's no damage. That fork looks like it could be bent, and possibly the downtube right behind the headtube lug.

We have one in our shop too. An oscillator, must be from the 30s. it's cast bronze, weighs a ton and works perfectly. Don't make em like they used to. Fans come and go, but that old timer outlives them all.

Yes, badly damaged....

Perhaps it was modified to quicken up the steering? :bike2:

Mmmm... Sporty!

I was in search of an old-style, "all 'rounder" type tire, so I bought them. The Sunlite/Kenda mini-roadster tires are good, functional tires. They work well on pavement and on pavement where there is light-to-moderate debris. If you're riding on paved streets where you get he occasional patch of sand, stones, sticks, acorns, etc. they will work fine. They roll reasonably well. They are not as cushy as the DL-1 sized bigger brother tires.

If you will be on un-paved roads, or heavy gravel a lot, I suggest the Schwalbe Delta Cruiser tires or Panaracer Col de la Vie tires.

The full write-up is here:

http://bikeshedva.blogspot.com/2016/...tires-iso.html

Some of my favorite 3 speeds are American. Here is a 1948 Schwinn Continental. Many people remember the Continental as a middling road bike with a welded frame. These very early ones were fillet brazed seamless cro-mo, lots of aluminum parts, etc.

https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bBENyO5RZ...022_170044.jpg

https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-d82LcUwov...022_170128.jpg
https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KQQfGqlqd...022_170152.jpg

Thanks for the reply. I love the delta cruisers but want to get something a bit more eco for this build up. Ill give them a shot. They have been ordered and are on the way. Thanks!

Now, I've read about early Schwinn bikes built in Chicago as being of very high quality, and this bike certainly bears that out. What a beautiful machine! Doggone it... you guys are going to make a collector out of me yet.

And that's not what I got into this hobby for. I just wanted to be self-sufficient for local transportation and recapture that sense of freedom and adventure I felt when I was just another kid on a bike. But the sheer variety and dedicated craftsmanship we find in bicycles these days, both vintage and modern, opens up all kinds of temptation and irrational behavior.

Don'tcha love it? :thumb:

Now that is cool. Is that a Schwinn paint scheme, or custom?

Can you post more pictures of the frame brazing and front hub? Stunning bike and I've not seen one before.

Very nice! :love:

Quick question: Did these pre-1950's Schwinn lighweights use the same 597 tire/wheel size that the later ones did?

Well, thankfully for you, "adult" "lightweight" pre-1960's (Varsity) Schwinns are pretty rare, so they don't pop up on Craigslist/ebay/etc that often. I only remember seeing a few recently on Portland CL. One was a nice step-through Continental (I believe) that was late 40's. I also saw another nice 40's men's frame, I think it was a Superior (step down from the Paramount). It was tempting, but the current owner did all sorts of "modernizations" to it like 700C wheels and possibly a cotterless crankset, which I didn't want.

Sad Day in Toronto..
 

On Friday night somebody thought it would be a good idea to kick in the door of my bile shed and steal this bike.
A 1967 Dunelt 3 speed with a very nice Wrights leather saddle and period pump. I have some suspicions on who it was and will be doing some detective work... They didn't really want the bike they just wanted to cause some damage and steal something....punks!