Originally Posted by arty dave (Post 20011619)

Are the cranks spinning freely? Any side play, stiffness or notchiness? If they're spinning freely I'd go ahead with the oil, but if they're not it may mean the bottom bracket grease has dried out and needs replacing, or your BB needs adjusting.
Most of us would probably pull the BB apart to clean and re-grease, but maybe it is a daunting task if you're not familiar with bike mechanicals. And it would mean removing the cotter pins. But again, youtube is your friend, and advice from us.

You can add a bit of oil down the seat tube, it is a 'quick & dirty' way of getting a bit more lubrication into the bottom bracket, and hopefully freshening up the grease that's in there. First you want to have a look (as much as you can) down the seat tube and see how grimy it is in there. You don't want the oil you put in the seat tube to be carrying contaminants like rust, insects, etc down into the BB. Your bike looks pretty clean though. Car oil is fine and you probably only need 1 or 2 teaspoons worth. Any more and you'll have a puddle of oil under your bike the next time you take it for a ride :)

Originally Posted by plympton (Post 20010254)

Thank you. Wow that"s a lot of money. I'll keep looking for now.

Originally Posted by Charmlessman (Post 20011639)

I feel them spinning freely so I will add the two teaspoons of oil and our the seat back.

Thanks

Originally Posted by gster (Post 20011807)

Oil is a good band aid but you should do a re pack in the spring.
Only potential difficulty is those cotters. Some drift out like butter
and others are as stubborn as a dog with a bone.

Originally Posted by Charmlessman (Post 20011985)

I even go to Whole Foods free bike station to work on my bike when I dont have a tool available.

Originally Posted by Ballenxj (Post 20012028)

I didn't know Whole Foods had that as an option?

Originally Posted by Charmlessman (Post 20011985)

Once I get more comfortable working with the bike I will do it. I live in an apartment and have a couple of wrenches and thats it. So I am very limited on resources at the moment. I even go to Whole Foods free bike station to work on my bike when I dont have a tool available.

Originally Posted by 1989Pre (Post 20010217)

Just in case you don't find the blocks right away:


Bicycle Raleigh Katsaris old antique retro

He's also got a pair without the logos for $75.00

Originally Posted by plympton (Post 20010254)

Thank you. Wow that"s a lot of money. I'll keep looking for now.

Originally Posted by plympton (Post 20011734)

When I search ebay I limit my searches to north america but somehow china or india or thailand sneak in and I have seen blocks in India but I'm afraid to buy outside of NA maybe England would be OK.

Originally Posted by BigChief (Post 20012052)

Most of us here have been wrenching 3 speeds for years, so please forgive us. We tend to have high standards we like our bikes to meet. Since you were motivated to get a classic bike like this, I suspect there's a good chance that you will catch the bug and end up like the rest of us, but for now, just oil up the bearings and cables as best as you can, put on some good brake pads and have some riding fun. It would ride better with a full service and careful setup, but my first 3 speeds were in far worse shape than yours and I ended up OK...i think. Unfortunately, most modern repair shops are clueless about these bikes, so you're on your own. Except you have us! This is a great board. I've learned a ton here. BTW, did you get that rear brake cable freed up?

Originally Posted by Charmlessman (Post 20010669)

I opened the front hub of my 69 Raleigh Sports and I found 20 bearings even though the video I am using for instructions shows its a total of 18 bearings. Should I remove two? I am also getting marine grease tomorrow at home depot and trying to figure out if mineral spirits are OK for bearings. Should I rinse the bearings after cleaning them with mineral spirits? I cleaned them with a paper towel and they look very clean, should I still get them in mineral spirits? Thanks in advance

Originally Posted by nlerner (Post 20005348)

That makes sense, but I have a bunch of indicators in my parts bin, and it seems like there are lots of lengths! But the hub doesn't really care; just makes the usual means of adjustment a bit tricky.

Originally Posted by Charmlessman (Post 20012607)

I understand and I know that I got the bug, I want to get a superbe after this one and I know at some point I will try to do harder stuff. I really want to ride this bike so i appreciate all the help here. I know I will get there but I have to take it one step at a time.

I still haven't got to the brakes but I will in time. It is the front brake that is stuck

Originally Posted by plympton (Post 20011734)

When I search ebay I limit my searches to north america but somehow china or india or thailand sneak in and I have seen blocks in India but I'm afraid to buy outside of NA maybe England would be OK.

Originally Posted by plympton (Post 20012446)

Your right JohnnySpaghetti I don't know where parts might be coming from. I guess even if I go to Harris Cyclery I have no idea. Hum.
Charmlessman: 4 months ago my cycle knowledge was over 50 years old. I knew what most kids growing up in the 50's would know. Since August I have taken 3 Raleighs apart and I'm learning every day how to put them back together. This site is absolutely your best source of experience and knowledge.

Originally Posted by arty dave (Post 20013285)

Hope it's OK to post this here - it has an old english 3 speed hub in its future!

Originally Posted by Charmlessman (Post 20012607)

I understand and I know that I got the bug, I want to get a superbe after this one and I know at some point I will try to do harder stuff. I really want to ride this bike so i appreciate all the help here. I know I will get there but I have to take it one step at a time.

I still haven't got to the brakes but I will in time. It is the front brake that is stuck

Originally Posted by Charmlessman (Post 20013393)

I will post pictures of the brake lever tomorrow, I did remove the brake assembly for cleaning but left the cable and the lever still attached to the bike. I am removing the rear wheel tomorrow so I can remove tires and tubes on both tires to be ready for wednesday. In the meantime Simichrome should arrive on Sunday and I will work on rims and other chrome parts. I am trying to find a place where I can use a vise in the future to work on the rear hub.

Originally Posted by Charmlessman (Post 20013393)

I will post pictures of the brake lever tomorrow, I did remove the brake assembly for cleaning but left the cable and the lever still attached to the bike. I am removing the rear wheel tomorrow so I can remove tires and tubes on both tires to be ready for wednesday. In the meantime Simichrome should arrive on Sunday and I will work on rims and other chrome parts. I am trying to find a place where I can use a vise in the future to work on the rear hub.

Originally Posted by johnnyspaghetti (Post 20013571)

I saw your bike horizontal on that fresh looking concrete and worried of scratches because every picture of that bike you post makes it look better. It is in really nice shape. The paint is still excellent looking. I am scratching my head as to why the frt. brake is siezed as you explain.

Originally Posted by Charmlessman (Post 20013583)

My bike is now resting on 2x4 boards. When I took that picture the bike was resting on me but I will be more careful with it. I dont think I want to mess with the paint and will leave it looking old.

Originally Posted by johnnyspaghetti (Post 20013709)

This is a 1969 brake assembly off of a Raleigh Superbe the same parts found as your Raleigh Sports complete form lever to fork with all original fasteners. It has grey fluted cable casing and is a working assembly. Its all in good shape The pads are original and hardened with age. The chrome needs cleaning of very light rust but good. I will send this to you in Houston TX. if you want it or need it. Send me back what you don't use. I do think what you have on your Sports is worth fixen, https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&i...3744-local1&zw