Some have locknuts and some (like my Dunelts) do not and are set up as you describe.

Thank you Mirfi !

Actually this bike came with the handlebar/stem combo but there was a lot of crust and rust over most parts.
Here is what it looked like prior to disassembly.

https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...3087bae47e.jpg

Cleaned up real good.

Ah, the dream bike of my high school years. Our high school's second string quarterback had one of those. So, of course, his sidekick went out and bought a Yamaha Big Bear 250 (YD-2, I think) which would blow the Honda into the weeds.

Top speed of 104? Maybe on a downhill run. I know that the CB450 wasn't capable of doing the ton, topped out at something like 97 or 98.

To the former, yes, at least as far as the speedo was concerned. To the latter, also yes.

Back to Sturmey stuff.

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A couple of questions about the Raleigh Sports/Superbe:

Is the large (23") frame comfortable for a person around 6' tall? For about ten years my daily rider was a Pashley Roadster with a 22.5" frame, and that felt just fine, although that has 28" roadster wheels, so the bottom bracket was higher than typical. I picked up a 21" Raleigh Sports a few years ago as a backup but it felt too cramped to be comfortable for anything other than a last resort bike. I considered replacing the seat post with something longer to get the saddle higher but never pursued it. My Pashley finally gave out after 10 years of Buffalo winters when the crank rusted through and the pedal fell out. So I'm looking for a new "getting around town" bike along the same line. My Anglophilia is strongly urging me to find an old Raleigh 3-speed in good condition.

If I don't luck out and find a Superbe with the original rack, what kind of rear rack is best on a Raleigh 3-speed? Just to hang a pannier to carry my lunch to work, etc.

Are there any "secret" websites other than Craigslist and eBay to troll for these bikes? I have my LBS on alert to let me know if anything comes through.

I'm more comfortable on the 23" schwinn racer than I am on the 21" Hercules, and I'm almost 5'10". The swept bars and upright position make it easier to fit. Unfortunately, English-built 3 speeds are slowly becoming extinct, so you need to keep your eyes peeled. Maybe befriend a local bike buyer and let them know what you're looking for, since they might show up to buy a stable of nicer road bikes, but have Ye Auld 3 Speed thrown since they're there anyway.
I paid $10 for my Schwinn, because i told the bike guy I was looking for a 3 speed wheelset. Neither of us considered at the time that Schwinn used the ISO 597 sizing, rather than ISO 590...

I'm 5'11 1/2" and 23" frames feel perfect for me. I currently have a 23" 1971 Robin Hood and will soon be getting back my 72 Sports I sold two years ago. The new owner thought it was a bit too big and is going to trade/sell the bike back to me. The 23" works well with both drop bar and north roads.
https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...7006d1854f.jpg
1971 Robin Hood
https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...1f34d63f81.jpg
1972 Raleigh Sports

I have a 23" triumph that's really a Raleigh and at 5'11" it's perfect.

I rode 25"/64cm bikes for years and still do, but the last few have been 24"/62cm and I ride a 23" Sports with no problem. I keep planning to use a stem with more reach than stock. I also have a boxed 23" ladies' Sports for the day when I can no longer swing a leg over a diamond frame. I use a Pletscher on my bike with various panniers.

Try FB Marketplace. The Search is wonky and can drive you nuts but you might find something worthwhile. I've bought there.
https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...692055eeb0.jpg

I didn't know they made the ladies' Sports in 23". I thought it was just 21" and 19", and the gent's model was 23" and 21". I'll have to keep an eye out, I'm not averse to a step-through, although I always wonder if lacking the triangulation they might not support a heavier rider as well.

Another question about the Sports: do you find that the "hockey stick" chain guard allows you to ride the bike wearing jeans or other long pants without worrying about grease stains? One thing I loved about the full chain case on the Pashley Roadster was being able to ride to work without worrying about tucking my cuff into my sock or wearing an ankleband, etc. But bikes with full chain cases are hard to find!

The chainguards work fine. When riding in long pants I use metal boyangs (trouser clips) and have never had a problem. There might be some small sacrifice in frame strength on the stepthrough, but I suspect its everyday handiness more than compensates for that. Good luck finding a 23" Sports for yourself.

Here's a pic of my L23, found at the curb on trash day in Wake Forest NC.
https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...ab366f3ab3.jpg

Yes, a tall 23" Superbe would suit you just fine.

Well, I did it, I bought a 23" men's Raleigh Sports on eBay. God and FedEx/UPS willing, it should be here by next weekend. I think it is a '74 from what I can tell (brazed-on brake cable guides on the top tube, but the earlier all-metal shifter).

I had the modern (c. 2010) Sturmey-Archer 5-speed hub on my Pashley and it never really worked well at all. I am hoping the AW will be a big improvement. Should I add some oil to it via the port when I get it, before riding the bike? I have a set of Kool Stop Continental pads that I can swap in. Any other immediate maintenance tasks I should be considering?

You'll know once you get it? :foo:

I've had experience with the modern 5 speed and many aw hubs. I much prefer the aw. Get the gear ratio you need, 2/1 works very well for me, and you'll have an excellent commuter.

Ride it before throwing oil in it. Overfilling just leaks on your rims. A few mils of oil, once or twice a year is the way to go.

You might want to be scouting around for a larger cog for the hub. Most of these bikes are overgeared and it seems to get worse the older I get.

Suppose so, although I guess my preference is that it doesn't scream out for *any* immediate maintenance!

I think I will ride it around for a bit before making that decision. Luckily that's a pretty simple and inexpensive modification.

My pant cuff has gotten hung up on the cotter pin, before, so I always ride with those clips.

Flipping the orientation of both cotters will usually cure the pants thing. Your cuffs won't catch on the domed end. That said, I like trouser clips too.

Sometimes They Return
 

The 1972 Raleigh Sports (Canada) which I purchased in early 2018 and sold in 2020 has come home. This root-beer coloured 23" frame bike has a few dents in the mudguards and minor rust on the rims but is in good overall condition. It has spent most of the last 2 years in a garden shed with "stuff" piled around it. When I retrieved earlier today it almost felt like a rescue mission. The neighbour who bought it finally admitted that it was a bit too tall for him and asked me for something smaller. He saw an early 90s Raleigh Canada built Home Hardware Special I had on hand and wanted to swap it for the Sports. I gave him the 26" ATB and $40 and walked the Sports home. The next step will be a major cleaning.
https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...d8fdd128fa.jpg
As it looked when I sold it. I had a Brooks B67 and a larger bag which is now on another bike when I was riding it.
https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...02d60432fc.jpg
Dirty and a bit of surface rust, but not bad considering.
https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...639fb278bc.jpg
This is the rear saddle bag that was on it when purchased.

browngw : I like the root beer ones a lot. They really sparkle in the sun (I guess in "merry old" they didn't sparkle as much!)..... I did one for my sister a few years back and loved it while I had it.


https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...02eb318037.jpg

$50 in PA.

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