I picked up a 1937 Raleigh Sports recently. Its equipped with a type K hub.

Right now the big concern is the condition of the frame's finish is deplorable. Someone gave it a spray can finish. I'm wondering if anyone has come up with means to get that stuff off without damaging what's underneath. I can see bits of some of the decals- enough to know that I won't be finding them on ebay.

Can you see bits of the original color?

Yes, you can get it off, with the right solvent, but you're going to have to figure that out for yourself. Sorry!

Spray paints vary. Basically you need to make an ordered list of solvents, going from the most innocuous to the nastiest, and start with something innocuous like denatured alcohol, then proceed to naphtha, and so on. Start with what you have on your garage shelf. Put some on a paper towel, rub the paint, and look at the paper towel. If it starts turning the color of the rattlecan paint, you've found your solvent. Sooner or later you will find something that works.

Thanks!

Y'know, these tires were just talked about by @SirMike1983 in the previous page on this here thread! ;)

So Shawn wins the Gold Star for Reading Retention! (Darn it, where's that Gold Star .gif?)

That was a whole page ago; some of us have age-related memory issues, Sonny. :50:

Are you making fun of our handicap?

Watch it, or I'll make you ride a couple extra rides to qualify for the Three Speed Challenge prize! :p

I totally forgot about the 3-speed challenge :lol: I ride mine a lot, but I have 7-8 rideable bikes to choose between, and of those, 3-4 are 3-speeds, but only one sees regular usage.

Not sure one of these has been posted yet. A Robin Hood 531 plain gauge 3 speed. Didn't get a date on the hub but I'm pretty sure it's circa 1960. Similar to Lenton Sports and Clubmans of the late 50's but metal mudguards and maybe upright bars if they're original. EA1 wheels, 3 pin chainset.
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/LF...=w1145-h644-no

Here's one I built up and sold off recently: an 80s somewhat low-end Univega frameset with 27" wheels and a Sturmey Archer AW rear hub, steel stem and bars. So kind of inspired by English 3-speeds:

https://c1.staticflickr.com/6/5592/3...131b3369_c.jpgUnivega3Speed_1 by neal_lerner

https://c5.staticflickr.com/9/8647/3...05435022_c.jpgUnivega3Speed_3 by neal_lerner

https://c1.staticflickr.com/6/5610/3...ece60db2_c.jpgUnivega3Speed_8 by neal_lerner

What a cool bike! I didn't even know they did a 531 Lenton-style frame with the other brands/badges. I have been seriously thinking about learning to build frames, just so I can duplicate this geometry in some nice, exotic tubing - and then build the ultimate roadster. Dreaming, of course... to do that, I would have to quit my day job. But if I win the lottery... :rolleyes:

Nice Bike! This is news to me. I've always thought Raleigh treated the Robin Hood mark as an economy line.

Is that an AG hub?

yup

What do you think of them after riding them a bit? I am thinking about ordering a set for my '64 sports. They look the part for sure. The price seems more than good. Would you recommend them after riding/owning them?

Raleigh Laurentian 3 Speed
 

A recent Kijiji listing for an early 60's Raleigh Laurentian. These were specific models made for the Canadian market. A good looking bike at a reasonable $135.00 asking price.

Triumph 3 Speed
 

Another current Toronto, Kijiji listing. A vintage Triumph 3 speed listed at $100.00.

I've not used them in this context, but was never able to get Kenda tires to seat well on my old Schwinn Speedster (ISO 597 steel rims). I'm in the midst of an upgrade which includes switching to an alloy ISO 590 (650A) wheelset. I chose the Panaracer Col de la Vie. I've not yet ridden the bike with the new setup, but have always had good luck with Panaracer Paselas. It's not clear that the slightly wider tire (40mm v. 37mm) will fit all traditional English roadsters, but if you have the clearance, that might be an option.

I planned to switch to a MAFAC Racer brake up front, but it looks like I might need something with more reach. (I doubt the original Schwinn Approved Weinmann brake would have reached either). The upgraded pig will have a Sturmey-Archer XRD3 rear hub (drum brake).

1958 Robin Hood 3 Speed
 

This one's still for sale on Kijiji, Toronto. A rare bike, the current owner has spent quite a bit of time cleaning it up and re-packing bearings etc. Comes with a working Dynohub and a nice period frame pump.He's asking $270.00.

Odd Ball 3 Speed
 

I guess the owner likes the bars this way...

Well, I asked once or twice what is considered the "proper" set up/angle for North Road bars and was told there is none. I suspect there is. Whoever designed the bars back in the ancient days of Raleighdom I am sure had an idea in his head of how they should be set.

Long ago, I was racing Crits and I took my bike into a shop to have repairs made and a grizzled and scared gent came out and nearly beat me for having my Pinarello set up incorrectly. He snatched the bike from me and looked me over and adjusted everything and then said, this is how you shall ride this bike or do not come back to my shop. O-K-A-Y! Well that is where it is to this day. And he specifically told me that drop bars bottoms shall be parallel to the earth :twitchy:. I do not care what ya'll do but I imagine if I was to twist my drops to an angle that old feller would come after me so I figure there is a "setting" as well for other bar types :D.

But maybe not :foo:.

I have been angling the NR bars slightly down which seems comfortable to me since I prefer a good drop to my bars and a somewhat more sporting position on the bike which is infinity more comfortable and efficient to me than set up with the bars way up in the air and angled upward. My point, perhaps it depends upon how one sets the saddle to the bars, saddle/bar drop, as to the "correct" angle for the bars which should be a neutral position of the wrists maybe?

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b3...psdxmehpn1.jpg

J

Cool Peugeot.
It's for sale too. $700 (Not mine)
https://sfbay.craigslist.org/eby/bik/5834577868.html

https://images.craigslist.org/00q0q_...p_1200x900.jpg

His 'n Hers Raleigh Superbes on Chicago CL
 

I think I've outed this pair in the past before, but they are still available. His 'n hers Raliegh Superbes for $625.

RALEIGH SUPERBE

https://images.craigslist.org/00O0O_...o_1200x900.jpg
https://images.craigslist.org/00b0b_...k_1200x900.jpg

Nice! Key might be finding frame without shift bosses like this. On my project list.

I like the old fan on the work bench, I have a couple of them, one runs, the other needs rewound, they were my grandparents. J

Yeah, I have one too. Built like a tank and has that neat hinge for oscillation. GE I think.

Wish my workspace was as spartan.

Owner thinks this one's good
 

Another Kijiji ad in Toronto,
No rust dent or damage!

I'm not convinced there's no damage. That fork looks like it could be bent, and possibly the downtube right behind the headtube lug.

We have one in our shop too. An oscillator, must be from the 30s. it's cast bronze, weighs a ton and works perfectly. Don't make em like they used to. Fans come and go, but that old timer outlives them all.

Yes, badly damaged....