el_spumante

I'm brand new to these forums, so please forgive me if this is posted in the wrong category, but I'm looking to buy a vintage English 3 speed (something like a Superbe or a Sports). I will admit that I am brand new to these kinds of bikes, but I just bought my wife a 1973 Raleigh LTD-3 from Craigsist and I have fallen head over heels in love with the old Raleighs, especially after reading about them and looking at the photos of them here (and on Sheldon Brown's website, etc.). I have been trying to find a decent 3 speed in my neck of the woods (Chapel Hill, NC) and I've searched ebay and local garage sales, but so far, no luck (a Superbe I looked at today was in pretty rough shape, including a wheel that I would have had to replace). So, I thought I'd see if anyone here is selling something that might work for me--or if you know someone to put me in touch with. I'm a 5'11" man and average build; I took a 23" Superbe around the block and it felt good, size-wise. I don't mind minor rust, cosmetic blemishes, or bikes that need some work, but I don't want something that's going to cost me an arm and a leg to make rideable. Thanks for any tips!

el_spumante

Thanks to those who sent me PMs. Apparently, I haven't earned my PM "privilege" yet (need to have 30+ posts, first), so if you PM me without an email address I don't think I can reply to thank you.

On a related subject, any thoughts about this Raleigh Sports on ebay?

https://www.ebay.com/itm/VINTAGE-RALE...ht_5501wt_1215

Bidding is now up to $310 (and I'd have to pay something like $100 more to ship it, I'm guessing). What do you think something like this--in what appears to be very good condition--is worth? I know, I know...very subjective. But I appreciate any thoughts.

el_spumante

While I'm at it, I thought I'd post two other ebay bikes. One is a Phillips (supposedly made by Raleigh) and one is a Sears--any thoughts? I don't know anything about either manufacturer.

https://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...#ht_6809wt_982


https://www.ebay.com/itm/Sears-mens-3...#ht_500wt_1215

gbalke

Be careful here; 25 bids and only two bidders plus one has no bidding history so he could be a shill. Just my opinion.

gbalke

Of the two, IMHO, the Philips would be the better choice over the Sears. Plus the seller of the Philips has been selling some quality bicycles for some time and his pricing has always seemed to be resonable.

el_spumante

Good point. Could be a scam, for sure. Thanks for looking out!.

el_spumante

Thanks for the advice. I like the Phillips, based on aesthetics, and it looks clean enough and the price seems fair (but what do I know?). I'm concerned about the shifter not working. If it's just a shifter cable, that'd be cheap enough to fix, I assume, but what if the problem is in th ehub itself? I wrote the seller to ask for clarification.

gbalke

The Strumey Archer 3 speed hubs are pretty much indestructable, and are easy enough to adjust with the right references such as Sheldon Brown's web site such as Retro Raleighs: https://sheldonbrown.com/retroraleighs/ Follow some of the links found there.

I recently restored a Raleigh Twenty folding bike where the previous owner removed the shifting trigger and cable and had grease or durt packed in the opening where the shifting indicator goes. With a little WD-40 to flush out the opening and some patience, I soon had it operating like new.

Replacement cables, if needed, are available from any good bike shop.

el_spumante

Thanks! I'll keep an eye on the auction for the Phillips and if I can get it for a reasonable price, I'll go for it.

RaleighBikeGuy

The Phillips looks beautiful, however it looks to me like a 21" size. The Raleigh you posted was a 23" size. Some people ride both comfortably, but a 21" is definitely too small for me while a 23" is just right.

el_spumante

I think you are right. I don't know much about sizing, but this is what the ebay seller posted about the size:

"*DIMENSIONS The stand over height is approx 30 1/4". The distance from the floor to the top of the seat post clamp is approx 30 1/2". The distance from the center of the crank to the top of the seat post clamp is approx 21". The center of the handlebar stem to the center of the seat post is approx 21 1/2". The bike will accommodate most any rider comfortably. The seat height is easy to adjust."

RaleighBikeGuy

Yes, these bikes were sized according to the seat tube length. The common men's sizes were 21" and 23". The top tubes were the same for both sizes: 22".

noglider 

That green Raleigh is a top-notch specimen.

If you don't get one of these three, use google alerts to help you find another one.

Go to garage sales and estate sales and ask if they have bikes that are not on display. A lot of people don't value these bikes. I got two three speeds for $30 (for the pair!) at an estate sale, and one of them became my pride and joy. Look for my thread entitled 1962 Rudge or something like that.

Ornery

Would this be considered sacrilegious?

Bought this 1969 Sports when I was 13. It's too small for me now, but is my current daily commuter anyway.

Roll-Monroe-Co

Hey Gary! Any progress on the Humber?

Roll-Monroe-Co

What aspect of this configuration do you suspect might be against the rules?

Love the bags!

gbalke

Eric, I sent you a PM. Don't want to sidestep this post.

And now back to the original post!!

Ornery

Most bikes in this thread are kept pretty original. I'm trying to keep mine as original as possible, yet ride electric. I wouldn't have done these modifications to a pristine Sports. As sturdy as these bikes are, the 40lbs of batteries are pushing its limits. Most build tribulations are here.

I'm in the market for some original fenders. My fenders and chain guard were removed by my stupid self forty years ago, and thrown out by my dad a few years later.

Enjoy your beautiful rides, and be proud. They truly don't make 'em like that anymore!

el_spumante

Thanks. I haven't ridden a 21", but the 23" I tried the other day felt about right. That's what people have said would be best for my 5'11" height, too, I think.

el_spumante

Good advice. I DO like that green Raleigh but at $315 (probably closer to $400 by the time the auction ends) plus another $70+ for shipping, then a tune up at my LBS, I don't know if I can afford it. I'd love to stumble across a cheaper fixer-upper at an estate sale, garage sale, etc., as you suggest. I'll just try to be patient while I sit here drooling over these beautiful bikes--your 1962 Rudge included!

gbalke

Randy,

If you're feeling adventurous, I have a '74 Coffee Brown 23" frame set with crank in my garage I could let go for a reasonable amount. You could then build up a bike to suit your style or desires for less than the e-Bay Sports. There's plenty of help available here, might even be a C&V member close to you thaat could offer some assistance. If interested, PM me your e-mail address and I'll send some photos your way.

brianinc-ville

As long as you keep the meat in one pannier and the dairy in the other, you should be ok.

Seriously, though, while it does look a little funny to me, I'm impressed (and confused?) that you somehow managed to make the original chainring work with what appear to be aluminum cranks and a tapered BB spindle. Is it somehow bolted to the chainring from the power assist?

Ornery

Is it somehow bolted to the chainring from the power assist?

Exactly. It's the only thing salvaged from the original bottom bracket, which was replaced by a trick freewheel, cranks and spindle from Sick Bike Parts. All the grueling details are outlined in links in this thread.


Early Iteration

el_spumante

Just found this: https://charlotte.craigslist.org/bik/2628350634.html

Seems like a reasonable price, if the bike is clean, no?

cb400bill

Prices for Raleigh 3 speeds are all over the spectrum. I've seen nice ones for as little as $25 and have seen them offered for over $400. That being said, I would not think $150 was a bad deal for a nice example.