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My Raleigh Sceptre 3-speed build.

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My Raleigh Sceptre 3-speed build.

Old 04-12-10, 07:36 AM
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finn1911
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My Raleigh Sceptre 3-speed build.

Last summer, I ran across this frame amongst the thing laying around my parents acreage and decided to bring it home with me, not knowing what might become of it. I just thought it should be saved. A little while ago, I got the bright idea that my girlfriend might be the right candidate for this bike. She's not a big cyclist, but does enjoy a leisurely ride to the store or her short commute to work.

The brakes didn't work, it didn't shift, both of the wheels were horribly untrue, and all of the original steel parts were rusted. Not off to a great start so far.


Here are a few pictures of it's evolution. Step 1 mainly involved the removal and replacement of all the steel parts. Later today I'll post a couple more pictures of the major transformative step so far. With the help of SixtyFiver, the bike gets new wheels!

Original State - with some cables removed.


Some of the original heavy steel parts.


Getting there. New handlebars, chainweel and cranks, handlebar grips (which may change), and brake levers.


more to come...
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Old 04-12-10, 08:56 AM
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mickey85
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weird! It's like a mixte, but without the middle stays!
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Old 04-12-10, 09:08 AM
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Originally Posted by finn1911
Last summer, I ran across this frame amongst the thing laying around my parents acreage
... With the help of SixtyFiver, the bike gets new wheels!
You're in good hands. It's on it's way to becoming an attractive, functional bike
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Old 04-12-10, 09:28 AM
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Yep, SixyFiver has been very helpful as usual! This weekend the bike got it's three speed rear wheel, a new chain, and the rear brake connected. I'm hoping to get some pictures tonight.

I also managed to get some white Bluemel fenders, which haven't gone on yet. This is mostly what is making me rethink the black handlebar grips. The white will need to be balanced out a bit.
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Old 04-12-10, 03:47 PM
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Don't sweat it. Black always works...plays off seat/tires. White Bluemels are a bonus. Of course you could paint the frame black!



Attachment 145899
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Old 04-12-10, 04:13 PM
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That looks to be coming along nicely. I always thought a mixte would make an excellent 3-speed build. I hope she likes it!
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Old 04-12-10, 10:49 PM
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Alright.. here we go. I took some new pictures this afternoon, with the three-speed installed. After that I went down to the co-op and put the fenders on.

Firstly, the beautiful new wheel.



A closeup of the hub. Looks to be from November 1979. This hub is actually older than my girlfriend, and only one year younger than me.



The entire drivetrain.



A nice pretty chain.



Here's the serial number of the bike. Near as I can tell, this means the bike was built in Canada, in November of 1976.



And here it is with the fenders.

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Old 04-12-10, 11:06 PM
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Also, a great original shifter. So far it's working pretty well. Hooray for old timey things.

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Old 04-13-10, 11:07 AM
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I rode it to work today, just because I can't get enough of it. I have a couple of minor hills to climb, and it performed admirably. I was keeping up with the dérailleur bikes just fine, of course I normally do those hills on my fixed commuter.
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Old 04-13-10, 11:19 AM
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MAN! Where are you getting those bluemel fenders i keep looking for a pair of white ones, and nothing...




Originally Posted by finn1911
Yep, SixyFiver has been very helpful as usual! This weekend the bike got it's three speed rear wheel, a new chain, and the rear brake connected. I'm hoping to get some pictures tonight.

I also managed to get some white Bluemel fenders, which haven't gone on yet. This is mostly what is making me rethink the black handlebar grips. The white will need to be balanced out a bit.
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Old 04-13-10, 11:22 AM
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SixtyFiver notified me via text message that they were down at the co-op and I went down right away. There was a guy that had just removed them from a bike. He was quite surprised to see someone buy them so soon after being removed. They were $5!
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Old 04-13-10, 11:55 AM
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Originally Posted by finn1911
This is mostly what is making me rethink the black handlebar grips.
Although they may not suit your vision, I have become an evangelist for shellacked cork grips. I think they look beautiful, but more to the point they are almost sinfully comfortable - just enough cushion, don't get slippery when your hands are sweaty, and feel nice and warm on the hands when it's cool out.
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Old 04-28-10, 10:39 PM
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This weekend I took my girlfriend to the bike shop to pick out a new seat. The fellow at the bike shop kindly attached several different seats for her until she found one she liked. We also picked out a simple cable lock she can use to lock it up at work, and she will have an old u-lock for when the bike is locked up at home.

Here are a few of the new additions.

Here are a couple shots of the bars. She picked out these simple white leather grips and a big silver bell.





I Came across a new Araya front wheel, which is very true and not too shabby looking.



And... here is a shot of the whole thing. Pretty much completed for now.


Last edited by finn1911; 04-28-10 at 10:54 PM.
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Old 04-28-10, 11:26 PM
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Its incomplete without a chainguard. I think the SKS Chainboard should do quite nicely. You can install black on red or have it powdercoated red to match the frame. I imagine that it would complete the look of the bike.
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Old 04-28-10, 11:35 PM
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Originally Posted by NormanF
Its incomplete without a chainguard. I think the SKS Chainboard should do quite nicely. You can install black on red or have it powdercoated red to match the frame. I imagine that it would complete the look of the bike.
+1 Definitely needs a chainguard.
-Gene-
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Old 04-29-10, 01:30 AM
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Was that bell purchased new or used? I think I can make out a crown on it that looks very similar to one I have. I am curious about the manufacturer if you know anything. The bike looks nice, I love those Bluemel fenders.
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Old 04-29-10, 03:11 PM
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You do good work!

The brace that holds the fender on is backwards. It should go under the brake bridge.

I suggest you put cheaper fenders on and save the white ones for a more up-market bike. You could get $100 or more for those fenders!
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Old 04-29-10, 05:01 PM
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I might have used some spoke washers on that rear wheel.

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Old 04-30-10, 05:32 PM
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Originally Posted by mkeller234
Was that bell purchased new or used? I think I can make out a crown on it that looks very similar to one I have. I am curious about the manufacturer if you know anything. The bike looks nice, I love those Bluemel fenders.
The bell was purchased for a couple bucks at a local bike shop. I'm not sure of the manufacturer, though I could investigate. I'd check, but it's not here! Today my girlfriend took it to work on her first solo bike commute. I guess she likes it
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Old 04-30-10, 05:33 PM
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Originally Posted by noglider
You do good work!

The brace that holds the fender on is backwards. It should go under the brake bridge.

I suggest you put cheaper fenders on and save the white ones for a more up-market bike. You could get $100 or more for those fenders!
I honestly didn't know they were worth that much. I paid $5 for them I'll leave that up to her though, she seems to like them.
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Old 04-30-10, 05:37 PM
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Originally Posted by Amani576
+1 Definitely needs a chainguard.
-Gene-
I'll be on the lookout. I'd like to find something with a bit of an older look than the chainboard that was suggested.
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