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3 speed elimination

Old 09-24-19, 05:24 PM
  #1  
roadbikeChris
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3 speed elimination

This might be just a dumb thought. I want a clean bike with as few cables as possible, can I just remove the three speed shifter and cable without any ill effects? As I write it does seem silly. Just trying to achieve that fixed gear look. Heres the bike. I think I am gonna remove the fenders (although they appear in excellent condition). Although I might just add a rear rack and leave the shifter be. I am so decisive!!
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Old 09-24-19, 05:44 PM
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Sure. With the Shimano 3 speed hubs, the default gear may not be to your liking. I've seen some where a prior owner pounded a nail in to the axle to hold it in a particular gear. The bike looks to be in pretty good condition except for the tires. I'd just replace the tires and shoot a little bit of oil in to the hub to keep it working well. One easy way is to remove the push rod from the axle, lay the bike on it's side and dribble some oil into the hollow axle so it gets to the center of the internal gears.
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Old 09-24-19, 07:01 PM
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Why in the world would you even consider doing that. 3 speeds are fantastic and almost maintenance free
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Old 09-24-19, 07:13 PM
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Originally Posted by San Rensho
Why in the world would you even consider doing that. 3 speeds are fantastic and almost maintenance free

There we go! I knew someone would chime in about my lunacy! I've never had a 3 speed...

Last edited by roadbikeChris; 09-24-19 at 07:22 PM.
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Old 09-24-19, 07:37 PM
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It appears that your shift cable housing outer cover is cracked. Perhaps if you replaced it with black to match the bike (and the others for that matter) they would be less conspicuous/annoying. The shifter and brakes will probably work better, too, with new cables. I agree that having a working 3-speed hub is much nicer than sticking it in one gear. I don't get the fixed gear thing but to each their own.
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Old 09-24-19, 07:49 PM
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Originally Posted by dsbrantjr
It appears that your shift cable housing outer cover is cracked. Perhaps if you replaced it with black to match the bike (and the others for that matter) they would be less conspicuous/annoying. The shifter and brakes will probably work better, too, with new cables. I agree that having a working 3-speed hub is much nicer than sticking it in one gear. I don't get the fixed gear thing but to each their own.
Trying to keep the budget down but I agree on those cables. They probably could use replacing. I will have to get it done at the local shop though.
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Old 09-25-19, 12:05 AM
  #7  
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If you really want a clean look, build that wheel with a single speed brake coaster hub, then you won't need brake cables
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Old 09-25-19, 11:59 AM
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The Bike is cleaner than I thought it would be. After some 0000 steel wool! Definitely needs tires. And it's stuck in 3rd gear.

Last edited by roadbikeChris; 09-25-19 at 12:39 PM.
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Old 09-25-19, 12:51 PM
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Old 09-25-19, 12:52 PM
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Yeah, I'd say that this bike has enough collectible/vintage interest that materially changing it would be a downgrade. Made in St. Louis in the 1960s I believe.

My vote is to fix it up to work as designed. Nothing wrong with 3 speeds. A lot better than fixies, especially if the bike is locked into the wrong single speed.
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Old 09-25-19, 01:07 PM
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I have only third gear, anyone have a link to resources on how to adjust this type of three speed?
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Old 09-25-19, 01:58 PM
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Originally Posted by roadbikeChris
I have only third gear, anyone have a link to resources on how to adjust this type of three speed?
It's been at least five decades since I played with a three speed adjustment. That said, it looks to me like you may be stuck in one gear because the cable is screwed all the way down onto the linkage coming from the hub. Could also be that the cracked cable housing dsbrantjr noticed is binding the cable.
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Old 09-25-19, 02:00 PM
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Originally Posted by roadbikeChris
I have only third gear, anyone have a link to resources on how to adjust this type of three speed?

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Old 09-25-19, 02:11 PM
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Originally Posted by DrDyno
I saw this vid, I don't think its applicable to what I am running...
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Old 09-25-19, 02:14 PM
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Originally Posted by DrDyno
It's been at least five decades since I played with a three speed adjustment. That said, it looks to me like you may be stuck in one gear because the cable is screwed all the way down onto the linkage coming from the hub. Could also be that the cracked cable housing dsbrantjr noticed is binding the cable.
From what I understand the adjustment is made when the bike is in 3rd position when the linkage is loosest of the three speeds. This, in fact, is about the only position I can get. It says I am in 2 but nothing changes then 1 is totally impossible to acquire even by force.
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Old 09-25-19, 02:22 PM
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Originally Posted by roadbikeChris
I saw this vid, I don't think its applicable to what I am running...
Correct, it does not apply to your Shimano hub.
The bell crank, the part that is afixed to the axle, should have a letter N visible and perfectly centered in that round window when the shifter is in 2nd gear position.If the bell crank does not move freely, unscrew it from the axle (you will need to remove the cable) and check that the pin can be pushed all the way into the hollow axle, and that the spring returns it to the relaxed position. If it does not move freely, try lubrication to free it up.
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Old 09-25-19, 02:50 PM
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Originally Posted by Dan Burkhart
Correct, it does not apply to your Shimano hub.
The bell crank, the part that is afixed to the axle, should have a letter N visible and perfectly centered in that round window when the shifter is in 2nd gear position.If the bell crank does not move freely, unscrew it from the axle (you will need to remove the cable) and check that the pin can be pushed all the way into the hollow axle, and that the spring returns it to the relaxed position. If it does not move freely, try lubrication to free it up.
Took it all apart and I am missing the rod that inserts into the hub, its just gone! Thats my problem! Bike shop ordered the part...

Last edited by roadbikeChris; 09-25-19 at 03:23 PM.
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Old 09-25-19, 02:53 PM
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Originally Posted by roadbikeChris
I saw this vid, I don't think its applicable to what I am running...
Keep searching for vids, lol. hang on ..think i saved a video for reference for my Indi Australia bike..
yep
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Old 09-25-19, 03:25 PM
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Originally Posted by le mans
Keep searching for vids, lol. hang on ..think i saved a video for reference for my Indi Australia bike..
yep
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ytBh11TMIV4
This indeed is the exact one I have. Found out the pin the goes through the center of the hub was totally gone. Just ordered a new one.
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Old 09-25-19, 03:55 PM
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You get that

Out of five bikes i collected that has those hubs only two were complete! either missing the rod or anti rotation washer or whatever
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Old 09-25-19, 04:01 PM
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Originally Posted by le mans
You get that

Out of five bikes i collected that has those hubs only two were complete! either missing the rod or anti rotation washer or whatever
Who the heck is taking these apart and leaving things out?!?! LOL
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Old 09-25-19, 04:12 PM
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Originally Posted by roadbikeChris
Who the heck is taking these apart and leaving things out?!?! LOL
But wait! Isn't that kind of what the OP wants to do? Make a one speed?
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Old 09-25-19, 04:13 PM
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Haha, knuckleheads mate, The first one i got {i get them for free} so can't complain really, has the upgraded wire type cable and shifter, had bent forks that's why they gave it away, but it was missing it's anti rotation washer, but soon put together two complete ones. i like em but i've collected two Nexus 3spds - built in brakes, they feel like a more serious piece of machinery
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Old 09-25-19, 04:16 PM
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It is real easy to loose that rod if you don't know it's there. The average newb wouldn't leave the bell housing on when removing the wheel. Take the wheel off to fix a flat or change tires and it just falls out. Once the rod is missing the adjuster was screwed all the way down to keep the cable from flapping about. But looking at your closeup photo of the bell housing, there is nary a scratch on the dropout indicating the wheel has never been off the bike.
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Old 09-25-19, 04:19 PM
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Exactly! Eh its a $5 fix and its back. I repent of thinking of ever reducing the 3 speed to one. : )

The bike cost me $20 and its in really great shape.
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