Originally Posted by Scipunk (Post 19900215)

Is there some magic concoction that you all use to remove grease / grime off the frame? I don’t mind using elbow grease but my lord simple green isn’t cutting it lol

I assume actuall degreasers are too strong?

Originally Posted by 3speedslow (Post 19900145)

I got some time to take the bike out for another spin. Did a few items first. Changed the bag out to the original for a comparison shot. Found some steel platform pedals that suited my knees. Did a bolt check and found some that could stand a little bit more tightening. Did a slight adjust on the shift cable, works great through multiple shifts up and down. Gearing is 46X20. While out on a ride, had a panic stop and passed that! I think I still am going to move the shifter under the bar.
It was a ride worthy of the 3 Speed challenge !

Originally Posted by Scipunk (Post 19900215)

Is there some magic concoction that you all use to remove grease / grime off the frame? I don’t mind using elbow grease but my lord simple green isn’t cutting it lol

I assume actuall degreasers are too strong?

Originally Posted by nlerner (Post 19900235)

I've actually been going straight to polishing compound:

https://sep.yimg.com/ay/rodi/turtle-...compound-2.png

With a little elbow grease, the original finish usually comes through quite well.

Originally Posted by 3speedslow (Post 19900307)

Hot soapy water and a rag.
WD-40 and and clean rags
Polish compounds

In that order generally.

Originally Posted by clubman (Post 19900363)

Beware Simple Green as well. Nothing green about it.

Originally Posted by plympton (Post 19900440)

Before i grab my hammer. How does the fork crown race come off?

Originally Posted by clubman (Post 19900546)

I gently use a small drift on exposed edges, alternating until I can get an appropriate spanner underneath for the final rap.

Originally Posted by BigChief (Post 19884251)

I'm going to get on my soap box and put in my 2 cents about brakes on light roadsters. The extra money spent on salmon Kool Stop pads is worth every cent. They clearly out perform the cheap gray pads and even Fibrax. And if you're replacing a set of John Bulls that have been on the bike since 1974, you'll be entering a new universe of stopping power. Lately, I've been playing around customizing my Rudge scorcher. I installed a pair of Tektro R559 dual pivots mostly for the cool factor. Would I use these on a regular light roadster? NO. The combination of the Raleigh lever and the long cable housing just doesn't have enough travel to operate the Tektro properly. I was very fussy truing the side to side on these rims. They're very close. I had the pads adjusted a mouse whisker away from the rims and still, too much of the lever travel was used up before full brake. Adding the cable stops to the top tube and eliminating 18" of housing did buy me more room than I thought. The rear brake is good now, but all and all, it is a lot of extra trouble to go through for only a marginal improvement. Unless you're a scorcher and don't want all that extra weight of steel calipers slowing you down.

Originally Posted by rubah (Post 19902159)

I had some Tektro559 installed on my ladies Sport that I thought were pretty umimpressive, but after fiddling with the knob to take up slack at the end, I was able to get them a lot better than they'd been before. I think that might say more about me, though

Originally Posted by plympton (Post 19902475)

Attachment 583020

Attachment 583021Picking these two up on Thursday. $30 each. Now with four I hope to make three. A 52 mens, a 52 ladies and A 49 mens.

Originally Posted by plympton (Post 19902338)

I am wrong again. The drop out on my 52 is the slice and braze. The 49 is pressed?Attachment 583012

Originally Posted by SirMike1983 (Post 19900765)

Awhile back I mentioned that Raleigh changed its drop-out mounting style over the years on the Sports/Sprite frame. I finally got a couple good pictures while cleaning and comparing two bikes: a 1970-ish Sprite and a 1958 Sports.

Originally Posted by clubman (Post 19902597)

Looks like you have the keyholes on the outside of the fork end. Does anyone know when they switched to or from the inside keyholes? I have both types of hubs.

Originally Posted by nlerner (Post 19902658)

And for further info on when that transition might have taken place, here's the front dropout on my '62 lady's Sports:

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4500/...d567fb93_c.jpg

And the front dropout on my '66 men's Sports:

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4477/...3d7a5f10_c.jpg

So that transition happened at some point 1963-66, though I wouldn't bet on consistency when it comes to Raleigh.