vintagebicycle

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Other than the seat it don't look too bad for $50
Royal was a Raleigh built bike sold by Rollfast.

gster

An Odd Failure.
In the fall, the hub on my best bike locked up while riding. It wasn't even under any real load.
Dated 1961, it's been trouble free and very smooth.

I opened it up just now to find this....

A broken tooth on the driver.
No idea what might have caused this.
I have a spare.

SirMike1983 

The broken or chipped driver tooth is not common but not unheard of either. I've always assumed it came from a combination of a hub where the load was not shared evenly between the teeth and/or where there was some kind of internal defect in that particular tooth. For what it's worth, I've seen more of the old-style straight teeth broken than the later ramped teeth. I guess replace the driver and have at it again. Looks like a nice wheel.

52telecaster

That is pretty rare, it's amazing to me how well these hubs hold up.

gster

Its back together and I'll install it later today or tomorrow and see how it performs.

browngw 

The folks came and picked up the two 1971 Raleigh Superbes I restored over the winter. They managed a short test ride before leaving and seemed very happy with the bikes. When asked what the bikes might be worth, I hesitantly told them about what they just paid for them ($450) in the right market. I am still surprised that these fine folks, who know so little about the bikes, were so intent on saving them. Bravo to them. They managed to get my name from people attending the Canadian Vintage Bicycle Show, that has found a new home in Burford Ontario.

1989Pre 

Browngw, you did a really nice job on these. They didn't want bells, though?

52telecaster

Those are outstanding.

Cyclespanner

A 'cycle isn't complete without its Ding-a ling!

Here's me off at a tangent once again....

Has anyone considered a home-build LWB recumbent (utilising an English 3 speed hub/wheel to add a tenditious element to this thread).
Your positive views please.

Iron Horse

Glad you posted that. I've had one in the basement for a while, and have not found much about it. Thank you!

browngw 

Thanks. Good catch on the bells. Due to budget constraints, appropriate bells were not an option. Any local bike I work on that I know will be using our trail systems gets a bell or used to, before inflation! To be honest, I didn't think of it I guess. All my own bikes have some sort of ding-a-ling device.

tcs

Home-built? How about a factory English 3-speed recumbent from the golden age?

Former professional cyclist Freddie Grubb built bikes in the 30s~60s, including the Grubb Kingston recumbent beginning in 1936. This ad specifies SA 3-speed gearing:




My own picture of the one in the British Museum in London:



And an owner out on a ride (I don't know the source of this image - it's not mine - and Google Lens only finds images of the Tower Bridge!)




Hundreds of years of Britain v France! This 1934 Cycling article indicates the British 'horizontal' bicycle was a response to the French Velocar.

Salubrious

My experience with recumbents is they are a lot harder climbing!

Cyclespanner

Thanks for the responses, guys.

I was aware of the original 'Velocar' and the Grubb 'Kingston', though I haven't seen the Davison article before.
I assume the example pictured is/was in the London Science Museum, which has eluded my attention on my many visits since 1966.

I imagine the chances of finding an original machine to be zero.
Still, your contribution confirms I am not the first to be as daft as I look!
Any further information would be welcome.

Salubrious, hi.
I once had the pleasure of driving around Minnesota for 3 weeks during the '90's, yet don't recall any significant hills.
Lots of bugs (the State bird) and water.

Salubrious

I'm in St. Paul where the Mississippi River has cut bluffs about 220 feet high; if you ride in the river bottoms you have to get back up somehow- using one of those hill thingys.

52telecaster

Many spots along the Mississippi have serious bluffs with climbs. They aren't long but they are steep!

Cyclespanner

If you ride in any river bottom, the first thing you need is a snorkel LOL.

Then you need to thumb a lift on the back of a truck to get back to the top of those hills LOL LOL

Thanks 'S', I get your drift, friend

tcs

Nope. I didn't go to the Science Museum, and the image is two away from the Rosetta Stone. The British Museum. I bet there's one on display @ Llandrindod Wells, too.
__________________________

Hmm. Homebuilt, long wheelbase. Hopefully, this forum won't hang me in effigy for offering: Atomic Zombie has plans.

https://www.atomiczombie.com/tourmas...bike-diy-plan/
https://www.atomiczombie.com/wildkat...bike-diy-plan/

tcs

Not in America.

Cyclespanner

Thanks for the links, tcs.

The Roseta Stone hadn't been found the last time I was at the British Museum.
Indeed there is a Grubb at Llandrindod Wells.

tcs

Noooooo!!! Images are out of order. The Grubb recumbent is @ the Glasgow Transport Museum. Super fun museum for gearheads (petrolheads). They have the world's oldest extant bicycle



and a nice discussion of who actually first put pedals on the hobby horse.

clubman 

Hey Paul, your PM's seem to be disabled. Packaged received and thank you!

Cyclespanner

AH! That would be the long lost Etruscan model?

My paternal grandfather was from Glasgow.
He left in 1909 and never returned.

bikamper

Must not forget the Bay City hill on the Wisconsin side.

1989Pre 

Your words have the ring of truth. I am fixing up two 3-speeds to sell right now, and with all new tires, tubes and saddles, and hand-grips for one, buying vintage bells would not be prudent. I did happen to have an inexpensive, vintage French ratchet bell for the ladies 3-speed. In other news, it looks like your bike was carved out of a solid piece of malachite.