Hmm, a frame builder who brazes or silver-solders should be able to do it. I could ask Ryan Reedell of Folk Engineered if you like. I think his rates are lower than others because he's getting himself established.

I wonder how much that would cost in the end and if it would be worth it -just as an interesting idea. One can find a cheap fork at Niagara for about $14 and a cheap headset is under $5. If one is ordering other stuff anyhow and combining shipping the overall cost of ditching the fork is only a hair over $20 including the new headset.

It's an academic question until someone actually needs a headset. And sacrificial bikes aren't that hard to find here in the northeast.

I can usually save the top races when i have a bad one. The bottom set can be easily replaced with parts from a cheap $5 headset.

Well, there ya go!

It still would be nice to have other options. 26tpi BBs would be nice too.

Will double check but am sure one of our supplier offers 26 tpi headsets and that if you look across the pond that many shops still
stock them.

I have a small stock of aftermarket 26 tpi headsets and could source more at the co-op... thing is that they are so well made they rarely need replacement.

Not that I have noticed. I have one that has well over 35,000 miles on it and is still chugging along. The only noticeable differences: No head lamp bracket, no pump pegs, and Endrick pattern rims. Everything else appears to be the same. (mine has a replacement fork, due to a crash with a parked car 10 years ago)

Aaron :)
http://inlinethumb07.webshots.com/14...500x500Q85.jpg

I picked up this 1976 Phillips last week from a flea market for $20. At the time I didn't even know what an "English 3-speed" was! I had a blast fixing it up. It needed new tires, cables, and chain but it was worth the small investment. I'm used to riding a road bike and was blown away by how comfortable and fun this machine is to ride.

Shhh! Posts like this will make everybody want one!

But, but, but,... if it's made in Malaysia, how can you possibly call it an "English three speed"**********

English designed, by folks at an English company?

Union Jack on the factory flagpole? Men with handlebar mustaches and white linen suits named "colonel" as bosses?

I just finished up this '71 lady's Sports for a forum member who'll be in town this month and needs a bike:

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/--...1000000347.JPG

Neal

And so clean and shiny, you could eat off it!

Bingo! That's how all the Raleighs came through at A.R. Adams in the early '70's. We used the alloy ones because the spring loaded bent metal rod jobs were used on Columbias. You kept the cheap stand on the cheap bike and . . . . . .

I don't remember ever having a customer ask that the stand be left off - at least one everything under a Super Course. Once you got into that price range, God help you if you suggested a stand to a customer.

Gorgeous Neal....question about the basket - I've been fretting over cable routing with a basket - any suggestions?

That's a WALD basket that hangs from the bars by two reasonably long brackets. There seems to be plenty of room for the cables. They get pushed up a bit, but nothing to interfere with function.

Neal

Thanks - they look squished in all the photos I`ve seen, but I know my wife would like a basket (probably a Wald but the mesh style) on her Standard.

Mark

http://s3.amazonaws.com/data.tumblr....B5hC8hE8wPs%3D

this was left against a newspaper box 2 weeks ago, spotted it on the way to a BBQ it was still there on the way home. The shift cable was pulled out, saddle broken in half and double flatted. Hub date is a 61.

She won't be getting a period restoration, but a usable restoration. Have already thrown on a GB stem, VO Milan bars. These grips: green apple grips and matching pedals: green apple pedals a black VO model 5 saddle and a Specialized Daily basket

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b1...e/DSCI0123.jpg

File was too large to post here, so linky it is.

Took my 3 speed out on the town for the day, a lot of people stopping me and asking about it. Weather was perfect, nice sun, not to hot or humid. I think I've fallen in love.

Neal's Sports looks almost exactly like mine, but cleaner (as Tom points out). I use the rear version of the Wald baskets. Same long coated metal hooks. Fits the Pletscher perfectly, and looks great. I have two, but mostly just use one.

http://rideblog.files.wordpress.com/...22011ride8.jpg

Whoops: mine are made by Basil, not Wald. Same concept.

Baskets go good on old Raleighs...

Aaron :)

http://inlinethumb59.webshots.com/16...600x600Q85.jpg

So what are you folks doing about water bottles?

I haven't seen many here who are attaching water bottles to their 3-speeds. Is this an aesthetic choice to keep the vintage look? Are you just carrying them in your saddle bags or baskets?

I put an old REG water bottle cage on my '51 Armstrong.
I wish I could find a few more.

http://i254.photobucket.com/albums/h...ng1951001a.jpg

(Yes, that's a vitamin water bottle in it)

Mine goes in the basket. Along with my lunch.

I have aluminium cage straps to attach bottle cages to bikes that have no braze on mounts and really like handlebar mounted cages.

Obviously, your Snapple bottle goes right in the basket...

http://rideblog.files.wordpress.com/...82011ride5.jpg

Or not:

http://rideblog.files.wordpress.com/...92011ride8.jpg

I carry one in my saddle bag or in the basket if I am riding more than a few miles. Typical rides under 10 miles I don't usually have one.

Aaron :)

I try to apply the maxim of one pint for every ten miles... and that ain't Snapple!:innocent: