If it takes a flat blank you can make one yourself, with patience and some tiny files. I once watched a lock guy (also one of my bike shop dealers) make one from scratch by turning the blank in the lock and then filing away the faint shiny spots where the blank edge could be seen having hit the tumblers. Takes a good eye and a steady hand, and some time doing fit/file/fit/file/fit/etc., but it works.

A friend of mine ordered key for his 1953 Austin Healey from here, Home and told me they also had Raleigh bike lock keys. Worth a try.

There was a Brit vendor on eBay making fork keys for a reasonable price. I had him make up one for a Superbe I had some time back. An eBay search might bring up that info.

The difficult part with the key is removing the plug opposite the lock barrel without damaging it, in order to get a screwdriver in there to unscrew the barrel. Plus, I don't know if I will be able to pick the lock in order to put it in the locked position to remove the pin. I don't want to try picking the lock without getting step one done. What if I get it stuck in the locked position?

The locksmith said that if I left it with him, he could try to take an impression and make a key that way, but I wanted to work a little more on getting the barrel out. Plus, I don't want to leave a crucial part of the bicycle with a locksmith without really knowing him. I had a locksmith destroy a $50 Vespa key, (one with a transponder chip) one time and then deny that the blank could have cost me that much. That made me wary of locksmiths.

Locksmiths, by nature are a deceptive and unscrupulous bunch.
Operating under the cover of darkness they come and go, like
hobos wandering in and out of a bus station.

The Raleigh is coming along. Got the wheels cleaned up and fresh rubber and tape installed. Any idea how to get nasty brake residue off? Brass brushes haven't made a difference. Perhaps vinegar and foil?

https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...3b262e24fc.jpg
https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...24e96c1069.jpg

That really is super cool.

I find blue Windex and foil works well on wheels.

Those ought to serve you well! :thumb:

Are they 590mm rims? I know of Sun CR18s in 3-speed size, and got one for my bike, but if I could have gotten a Rhyno Lite that would have been even better.

Well it happened...
I fell off my bike last night.
I haven't fallen off a bicycle since 1966...
I was riding up my street and as I slowed down for an intersection
the front wheel hit a substantial pot hole.
The bike (1953 BSA) catapulted me over the bars
onto the street. (Ass over Tea kettle)
I picked myself up out of the puddle I'd landed in and
brushed myself off.
The bike was behind me , upright but upside down.
A passing motorist asked if I was OK and I said
yes, just embarrassed....
I'm a little sore and my wrists hurt.
The bike is fine except the bars are spun and my
new bell is a bit mangled.

It sounds like the damage isn't too bad to bike or human frame. This happens to all of us. I don't like the embarrassment but I don't like the pain worse.

Incredible. How many of those could there be around? Looks like the fender strings have been renewed?

That two-tone look is great. If you found those in the 590 size please tell us your source.

You didn't hit your head by the sounds of it and that's the main thing. Glad you're OK.

Yes.
The city (Toronto) just announced a big pot hole filling campaign yesterday...

+1. CR18s are available in 590, but I didn't know they also made Rhyno lite in that size.

Picked up a couple of shifters today at the Winter Canadian Vintage Bicycle Show in Brantford Ontario. Both seventies and one is NOS. $15 for the pair. The best one will likely go on the Robin Hood "Sports Model".https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...c0abd4fa44.jpg

I decided to give this a try on the 68 Sports, and it came apart quite easily. The previous owner must have gone through it, so I just repacked the grease and put it together. There's hope for this bike yet. The bottom bracket is definitely sorted. When I put the wheel back on and gave it a spin, there was still a clunking noise. I put a spare wheel on and no noise. Hopefully the hub on the spare wheel is good and I can get the shifting sorted too.

'bout time.

:beer: Cheers!

Those bolt on chainrings were pretty common. I have them on some of my (Belgian-) bikes too. Screws have square heads.
Here' s a 1953 ad :

https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...f24d62f49c.jpg

And on one of my bikes:
https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...31017e27ba.jpg

So THAT's where all this snow is coming from - its very effective at filling the potholes.....just not very strong.

Pretty decent lager too. We have a new brewery opened 3 blocks from my house....its called "Fixed Gear Brewing" and they have good variety of different styles in a bike themed (small) pub, with the best LBS you could imagine within sight.....

Please don't sell this to a hipster.

https://richmond.craigslist.org/bik/...827284909.html

Road bike w built in tire pump - $20 (Bon air)

https://images.craigslist.org/00I0I_...mQ_600x450.jpg
https://images.craigslist.org/00N0N_...ic_600x450.jpg


bicycle type: road
condition: fair
frame size: 58”
wheel size: 26 in
Lookin for a hipster who can turn a wrench. Single gear, variable speed interior hub design. Brooks saddle. Raleigh nottingham.

I went back to the scene yesterday to review the situation.
There's a big pot hole/sink hole in the curb lane that fills with water.
On the surface it just looks like a puddle.
I've been in contact with the city and my local councillor as this
street (my street) is a designated bike route.
https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...acec357459.jpg
On a positive note.
I found an old Bianchi in the trash yesterday.
Not for me but someone would like it.
Similar to this one but more beat up...
https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...c64cf8afb8.jpg

They really needed to select a different bike shape for that label, not the drop bar road bike-lookin' (or even path racer-lookin') thing they chose.

Potholes, grrr. My upset occurred on a motorcycle. A cager had done a right turn on red into my path, taking up both northbound lanes so I had to decide which way to aim to dodge him. I was at full brake and would have cleared his left rear corner but hit what I call a "pie crust," one of those soft-edged bowl-shaped depressions with the asphalt smooshed out like you see at urban bus stops, and I highsided.

Get back on the bike!

Not to worry.
The bike's been sorted out and back on the road, with me on top...
The only time I fell off my motorbike was pulling into a parking lot.
I hit a patch of gravel and the bike went down on it's side with
me underneath.
No damage, just embarrassing...