1981 must have been close to the end......

Rockin' this "old in spirit" english 3 speed this morning for 27 glorious miles.

https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...235c72d854.jpg
https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...898eab1f25.jpg

My Canadian 1979 DL1 was sold new at Pieriks Cycle in Hamilton Ontario with a full chain case. I was led to believe that we in Canada had two choices, full or none. I had a 1977 that had never had a chaincase mounted. The 79 now belongs to another BF member.
https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...4919c789c2.jpg
As sold.
https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...c7f5b3e4b0.jpg
As purchased.

Nifty sign is probably a repop but would be nice for a shop space.

https://www.facebook.com/marketplace...53074373280720

https://scontent.fric1-1.fna.fbcdn.n...Mg&oe=63312130

New Panaracer 650a tires for my (what I'm calling) '64 Triumph Sports restomod-mod. I call it that because I believe its an early '60s Triumph Sports that had 1970s parts added to it later in life, and now I'm going to add 1950s French parts to the ensemble with a nice flat 'albastache' like handlebar that I found on French ebay and have had in my parts bin. Ooh la la! The wheels polished up pretty nicely. I just need to service the GH6 and do some more work on the S5.

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...aa7382ef_b.jpgPXL_20220923_160829685.MP

You saw the bike wagon/level 9 sports 650A col de la vie listing in Ebay too? :thumb:
Locally I could choose Kenda 803 or K40 in skinwall, or Schwalbe Delta in black. The Col de la Vie tires were the same price with shipping as the Delta Cruiser.

I've had the Panaracer tires before and they're my favourite, I think as close as we get to a basically nice supple tire close to the expensive 650b offerings. I found these from Soma Fab on sale! Shipping to Canada wasn't so bad, surprisingly.

Raleigh bones? Only $20 in OH.

https://www.facebook.com/marketplace...32191151036543

https://scontent.fric1-1.fna.fbcdn.n...-Q&oe=6336F581

Care to lend me your eyes to judge the size on this frame?

https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...41bdabbfd.jpeg

Thinking about a rider who's 5-5ish, wondering if its worth a drive across town.

Take a guess at the year too, if you're so inclined. I promise your estimations aren't legally binding.

Thanks!

I think the women's frame of that time are about the equivalent of a 19" to 20" frame. I'm guessing it's a 73.
It should fit a 5'5" rider.

That's a 19.5" frame, 1980-82 US spec.

Concur with @clubman - perfect size for 5' 5"-ish. Worth the drive if $70 or less. Throw some Tektro 800A's on it to improve the braking performance and you are done.

-Kurt

US eh? I was guessing early 70's cuz of the Gran Sport colour scheme. I've never seen one of those. I'm surprised you still got Westrick rims that late in the game. Canadian models got weird in the 80's.

I'm not sure if the UK spec mirrored these, but I've found it's better to clarify when I'm ID'ing based on my knowledge of US models, especially when product lines started to diverge in this era.

The US Sports went two-tone in 1978 and never looked back until it was retired from our lineup in 1982 (of course, it lived on for a number of years afterwards in the UK, but was soon retooled).

https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...8ee48f4eb8.jpg


https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...01da19c9c2.jpg

Come to think of it, It was either '81 or '82 when Raleigh changed the downtube transfers to stickers, and this silver one still has transfers. '79-81 is my guess.

Here's my '80 (with a '75-76 chainguard); I'm sure you've seen it before:

https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...2ae2470ac7.jpg


-Kurt

Anyone in Illionis (Morton Grove) want to go halfsies on this Lemon Yellow Sports? I need the fenders off of it, don't need the rest. Seller won't split it up.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/14473415183...8AAOSwFexiiFNN

Wheelset and parts are good, frameset is definitely a customization candidate, as the paint is nicked up beyond belief. I don't feel bad about the prospect of removing the much-nicer-than-the-rest fenders off this frame.

https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...ce3494d0c1.jpg


-Kurt

But no chainguard!

I consider the fenders a lot more difficult to find in good shape, given how small time sellers are disappearing off eBay. The ones on this bike are surprisingly intact.

The chainguard will make itself known eventually. In the meantime, I definitely want to secure the fenders.

-Kurt

55 Triumph
 

I just brought down a 1955 Triumph (SA hub) women's bike from my neighbors garage. He gave to me since he's moving and trying to clean up. No seat or seat post--paint and decals in pretty good condition--tires (Dunlap) turned to tar. Wheels turn easy--click click from hub. Chain and wheel crank are very stiff.
I'm not into too perfect a restoration but what are some fairly good tires--I bought some from Walmart for my Indian 3 speed--2 years ago and they're already dry rot.
Ignorant about saddles--see some with just the frame and cover--others that are sprung. What are reasons for difference? My Indian originally had a Wright sprung saddle--replaced with a soft cushion vinal cover sprung saddle. I am now becoming aware of Brooks saddles and they look great-- see them with and without springs. Looking for any ideas.

TY Cliff

Schwalbe tires if you don't mind modern tread; Michelin World Tours if you can get you hands on them. Both are good quality tires that won't prematurely dry-rot.

Pararacer Col De La Vie if you want the highest-end tire possible (though I feel they're a bit wasted on steel rims, TBH).

-Kurt

This is a fair point - I think for my Triumph I want to see how I like the the bike - but more than that - if the S5.1 hub runs reliably for a bit before I decide on what to do wheels-wise. 650a alloy is very much cheaper than pretty silver alloy 650b, and I have a practically NOS '56 AW and a '48 dynohub with the bakelite cover waiting in the box for a job. I may end up using the '62 dynohub since the bakelite must be quite brittle after 74 years...

Echoing what Kurt said about the Col de la Vie tires from Panaracer. Unfortunately they are outright difficult to find; they may even be out of production [someone tell me I'm wrong please!] Kenda produces two tires in the 26 x 1 3/8"/E.A.3/650A/ISO 590 size, the K40 and slightly nicer K803. The Schwalbe Delta is the other easily available tire, but is usually only readily available in a black tire. You can usually buy a pair of Kenda tires for the price of a single Schwalbe (or Panaracer).

You'll need a seat post before you need a saddle. Someone here might be able to tell you what diameter post you should use, but I'm of the mindset where a direct measurement will answer the question without doubt.

Saddles are about personal preference. I think springs are more important with upright cruising because the rider is using the saddle and pedals to balance much more than the handlebars. You only have 3 contact points with the bike, and mountain and road postures both allow you to unload the saddle by using the pedals and handlebars for rough patches without changing your posture too much. I like Brooks because they tend to balance the ability to conform to the rider with a firm surface. Soft padded saddles can redistribute pressures away from the points best suited to bear them to soft tissue around them and trap heat and perspiration, leading to all sorts of issues. Hard saddles that don't fit your anatomy will just be plain uncomfortable. If you're only riding for short trips though, you can probably make anything work.

I prefer the Michelin World Tours for these bikes. They are good quality tires that ride very nicely and look right at home on an English three speed. Last I got them was from Bike24.

I've been on the search for aluminum rims. those seem to be gone too.

Paging bwilli88!

-Kurt

Panaracer, Michelin, Schwalbe - all better than the basic Kendas. The ride quality on all of those is decent, and each is a little different. The Panaracer gives the plushest ride and the Michelin is sportier feeling, with the Schwalbe in between. The Michelin and Schwalbe come in a couple different colors if you need variety. The Schwalbe has a modern-ish tread. The closest in size of that group to original Dunlops is the Michelin. The Schwalbe and Panaracer are a little larger tires than original Dunlops, but they're also a little plusher riding.

The Kendas aren't bad, but they're not quite up to the others in the list. But if you need a tire and you just want to ride, they will do. Kendas are also sold at some locations under the "Sunlite" brand.

I would avoid Duros and Cheng Shin tires in 590mm for now. I've tried them and they seem more prone to flats, discoloration, drying out, and sidewall cracking.

Save your original Dunlop inner tubes if you can do it. They are better made than the basic, cheap tubes being produced today.

At least there are a few choices for 590mm tires. The Schwinn 3-speed size (597mm) is down to Kendas. They're not bad, a little competition would be nice.

The antique American "lightweight" size of 599mm is even worse - no new tires produced in that size (and there's haven't been in many years). On some 599mm rims, the 597mm Kendas used for the Schwinns will work satisfactorily (but may not work on 599mm rims with taller sidewalls).

My plan next year is to bring at least 3 to 5 extra sets of rims back with me.

But 23" frame!

A great candidate...

-Kurt

Thought I'd update. The S5.1 hub is fully operational! I took Sheldon's advice and installed a friction shifter for the left-side indicator chain. This seems to work very well, and the bike holds in the various gears, and shifts crisply. No issues there as yet after a service and light oil feeding.

The lamps work well and the LED bulb put out light reasonably well enough to be seen. I had a fork mounted lamp holder in the parts bin, so I moved the front lamp down for the cool factor. I already have the voltage regulator thingy for use with the dynohub. The wiring is....hilariously ill-kempt, which I think gives it a certain devil-may-care aesthetic, the results of which being I am more than OK with locking this guy up around the city.

Had it out last night after getting the front brake sorted out with KS pads and a new cable. Just as comfy as I remember, but I'll need to think about the reach - might need a longer reach Nitto Technomic to get my posture just right. The mudguards are battered, but just need an adjustment and they'll be right as rain for this fall and winter.

Pics for funsies:

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...9f275b6f_b.jpgPXL_20220929_180304428.MP

Mounted the trigger and friction shifter on the stem because I like to ride on the outer part of the handlebar at times (going to put on some dark blue Newbaums)

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...b1d70471_b.jpgPXL_20220929_180252654.MP

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...669e87c1_b.jpgPXL_20220929_180648813

Left side working great!

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...ece8ca01_b.jpgPXL_20220929_180657608

Raleigh Sprite on the road the other day:

https://blogger.googleusercontent.co...928_173943.jpg

https://blogger.googleusercontent.co...928_173929.jpg

@SirMike1983, Nice Sprite!

I put my Humber (which was originally identical to a Sprite 5) back to hub gears. Missed having a drop-bar three speed.
https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...0eda02dec8.jpg