For the love of English 3 speeds...
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Ontario
Posts: 2,648
Mentioned: 16 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 478 Post(s)
Liked 634 Times
in
336 Posts
Tyres Your offer is tempting but even as a retired old fart need a little more time to coordinate with the family. I'm about 3 hours away by car..... Anyway, I'd be up for something like that at a future date. I'd definitely bring the Humber!
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2015
Posts: 3,240
Mentioned: 103 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1299 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 103 Times
in
85 Posts
A fortunate thing about SA hubs and their parts was that back in the 70s and 80s when many 3 speed bikes were rusted beyond repair and tossed, the hubs would be miraculously in good condition. Saved by their high quality plating and being coated in dried up oil and grease. Even if the wheels were trashed, people tended to save the hubs since they were still good. When I was a kid, I would always be up at dawn on trash days and never passed up salvaging any useful bike parts. I always has 3 or 4 three speeds on the road along with my clunky Columbia newspaper delivery bike. I think there will be plenty of spare SA parts around for a long while.
__________________
Inflate Hard
Inflate Hard
Likes For BigChief:
On the road
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: New England
Posts: 2,176
Bikes: Old Schwinns and old Raleighs
Mentioned: 36 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 373 Post(s)
Liked 857 Times
in
327 Posts
It's true that for the AW, most of the spares will be available for a long time yet, but I think some of the parts are starting to become scarcer.
Good, metal clutch spring caps can be hard to find. The later bikes had a plastic cap that tended to deteriorate.
And I've found it harder in the past few years to find truly good cones. At one time, I could find whole bags of NOS cones from when bike shops would go out of business and sell-off all their stuff. But not lately. I'd guess that I have only about 8 or so good spare cones left now, whereas before I had more than that. I can find plenty of somewhat pitted or badly worn cones, but I try to use only good ones because if I'm going to take the time to rebuild a hub, I don't want to put in parts that will just cause problems later. I've had only marginal luck reconditioning cones by turning and polishing them. The marginal ones clean up OK, but the bad ones never really come back into use for me.
Good, metal clutch spring caps can be hard to find. The later bikes had a plastic cap that tended to deteriorate.
And I've found it harder in the past few years to find truly good cones. At one time, I could find whole bags of NOS cones from when bike shops would go out of business and sell-off all their stuff. But not lately. I'd guess that I have only about 8 or so good spare cones left now, whereas before I had more than that. I can find plenty of somewhat pitted or badly worn cones, but I try to use only good ones because if I'm going to take the time to rebuild a hub, I don't want to put in parts that will just cause problems later. I've had only marginal luck reconditioning cones by turning and polishing them. The marginal ones clean up OK, but the bad ones never really come back into use for me.
__________________
Classic American and British Roadsters, Utility Bikes, and Sporting Bikes (1935-1979):
https://bikeshedva.blogspot.com/
Classic American and British Roadsters, Utility Bikes, and Sporting Bikes (1935-1979):
https://bikeshedva.blogspot.com/
On the road
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: New England
Posts: 2,176
Bikes: Old Schwinns and old Raleighs
Mentioned: 36 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 373 Post(s)
Liked 857 Times
in
327 Posts
Not really an English 3-speed, but it does have a Sturmey-Archer AW hub:
Someone gave it to me. They found it cleaning out a storage locker, and they knew I liked "old junk." 64 9 SA hub. Serial indicates built in 1965. Fresh grease in the hubs, oil in the SA hub, oiled chain, newer brake pads. Trued wheels a bit. Works just fine. Found it a home already.
Someone gave it to me. They found it cleaning out a storage locker, and they knew I liked "old junk." 64 9 SA hub. Serial indicates built in 1965. Fresh grease in the hubs, oil in the SA hub, oiled chain, newer brake pads. Trued wheels a bit. Works just fine. Found it a home already.
__________________
Classic American and British Roadsters, Utility Bikes, and Sporting Bikes (1935-1979):
https://bikeshedva.blogspot.com/
Classic American and British Roadsters, Utility Bikes, and Sporting Bikes (1935-1979):
https://bikeshedva.blogspot.com/
Count Orlok Member
It's true that for the AW, most of the spares will be available for a long time yet, but I think some of the parts are starting to become scarcer.
Good, metal clutch spring caps can be hard to find. The later bikes had a plastic cap that tended to deteriorate.
And I've found it harder in the past few years to find truly good cones. At one time, I could find whole bags of NOS cones from when bike shops would go out of business and sell-off all their stuff. But not lately.
Good, metal clutch spring caps can be hard to find. The later bikes had a plastic cap that tended to deteriorate.
And I've found it harder in the past few years to find truly good cones. At one time, I could find whole bags of NOS cones from when bike shops would go out of business and sell-off all their stuff. But not lately.
Those are good utility bikes. They are an American take on the English three speed and are really durable. That one is in very nice shape and a good color. Someone is going to enjoy it.
Already found a new home. The young lady I gave it to has just moved to the Twin Cities and didn't have a bike. She likes vintage items, and was very excited to have it.
Likes For gna:
Junior Member
That Ebay price is quite reasonable.
I just stripped one last week.
I always tell someone who's just bought an old british bike,
don't throw anything away!
Amazon Canada
https://www.amazon.ca/3-speed-Sturme...s%2C86&sr=8-26
or this
https://www.amazon.ca/Sturmey-Archer...s%2C86&sr=8-53
I just stripped one last week.
I always tell someone who's just bought an old british bike,
don't throw anything away!
Amazon Canada
https://www.amazon.ca/3-speed-Sturme...s%2C86&sr=8-26
or this
https://www.amazon.ca/Sturmey-Archer...s%2C86&sr=8-53
If so I a buddy of mine who does cleanouts may just be retiring early. I helped him move cases of that stuff out of one shop in NJ a couple of years ago.
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Toronto
Posts: 2,572
Bikes: 1971 Hercules, 1978 Raleigh Superbe, 1978 Raleigh Tourist, 1964 Glider 3 Speed, 1967 Raleigh Sprite 5 Speed, 1968 Hercules AMF 3 Speed, 1972 Raleigh Superbe, 1976 Raleigh Superbe, 1957 Flying Pigeon, 1967 Dunelt 3 Speed
Mentioned: 57 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1028 Post(s)
Liked 443 Times
in
288 Posts
But if that's the one thing you need to finish a project it
might make some sense.
My local parts sources have pretty much dried up.
George of Parts Unknown here in Toronto packed it
in last week.
What's it going to cost in time and gas to track something down?
My solution would be to buy a clean ladies bike ($50-$75.00) and
use it as a donor.
Full Member
I certainly wouldn't...
But if that's the one thing you need to finish a project it
might make some sense.
My local parts sources have pretty much dried up.
George of Parts Unknown here in Toronto packed it
in last week.
What's it going to cost in time and gas to track something down?
My solution would be to buy a clean ladies bike ($50-$75.00) and
use it as a donor.
But if that's the one thing you need to finish a project it
might make some sense.
My local parts sources have pretty much dried up.
George of Parts Unknown here in Toronto packed it
in last week.
What's it going to cost in time and gas to track something down?
My solution would be to buy a clean ladies bike ($50-$75.00) and
use it as a donor.
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Toronto
Posts: 2,572
Bikes: 1971 Hercules, 1978 Raleigh Superbe, 1978 Raleigh Tourist, 1964 Glider 3 Speed, 1967 Raleigh Sprite 5 Speed, 1968 Hercules AMF 3 Speed, 1972 Raleigh Superbe, 1976 Raleigh Superbe, 1957 Flying Pigeon, 1967 Dunelt 3 Speed
Mentioned: 57 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1028 Post(s)
Liked 443 Times
in
288 Posts
That's what I did when I was reviving my Raleigh. $30 for a lady's Robin Hood yielded most of the parts needed. Just needed to endure the grief I got from my wife when I brought home "another bicycle". Chrome bits, cable housings, fasteners, etc. I picked the best between them. It would've been better if it had been a Raleigh in the same color, but still worth it.
It seems a shame to "harvest" a perfectly good ladies bike but
it makes financial sense.
Women tend to be a bit kinder to their bikes.......
Likes For gster:
Senior Member
What are some movies that feature 3-speeds? Even some books where utilitarian / daily commute cycling might figure prominently into the narrative?
Senior Member
Can others recommend films that feature non-racing bicycle riding, particularly on a 3-speed? The only videos I have been able to find have been shorter British documentaries about bicycle postal workers.
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2015
Posts: 3,240
Mentioned: 103 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1299 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 103 Times
in
85 Posts
__________________
Inflate Hard
Inflate Hard
Likes For BigChief:
Senior Member
Have you seen this one? It's one of my faves.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XOE0DbfWqyo
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XOE0DbfWqyo
ambulatory senior
Join Date: Dec 2016
Location: Peoria Il
Posts: 5,998
Bikes: Austro Daimler modified by Gugie! Raleigh Professional and lots of other bikes.
Mentioned: 76 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1955 Post(s)
Liked 3,661 Times
in
1,679 Posts
Call the midwife is a modern retro show about midwives in London that rode 3 speeds for work.
Likes For 52telecaster:
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Maryland
Posts: 3,800
Bikes: Lots of English 3-speeds, a couple of old road bikes, 3 mountain bikes, 1 hybrid, and a couple of mash-ups
Mentioned: 53 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 887 Post(s)
Liked 335 Times
in
225 Posts
One of my favorites is "The Russians are Coming, The Russians are Coming" form back in the late '60s. How could they go wrong with Carl Reiner, Theodore Bikel, Paul Ford, Alan Arkin, and Jonthan Winters. The bike wasn't on-screen for long, but Reiner was riding it.
Likes For dweenk:
Phyllo-buster
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Nova Scotia
Posts: 8,847
Bikes: roadsters, club bikes, fixed and classic
Mentioned: 133 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2298 Post(s)
Liked 2,055 Times
in
1,255 Posts
The latest reboot of Mary Poppins has 3 speeds galore.
Likes For clubman:
Tyres
Likes For Tyres:
Count Orlok Member
Last edited by gna; 06-03-22 at 02:43 PM.
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Toronto
Posts: 2,572
Bikes: 1971 Hercules, 1978 Raleigh Superbe, 1978 Raleigh Tourist, 1964 Glider 3 Speed, 1967 Raleigh Sprite 5 Speed, 1968 Hercules AMF 3 Speed, 1972 Raleigh Superbe, 1976 Raleigh Superbe, 1957 Flying Pigeon, 1967 Dunelt 3 Speed
Mentioned: 57 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1028 Post(s)
Liked 443 Times
in
288 Posts
Saturday Night and Sunday Morning with Albert Finney
He actually works in the Raleigh factory.
Last edited by gster; 06-03-22 at 04:57 PM.
Phyllo-buster
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Nova Scotia
Posts: 8,847
Bikes: roadsters, club bikes, fixed and classic
Mentioned: 133 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2298 Post(s)
Liked 2,055 Times
in
1,255 Posts
This one's cool, Ridley Scott's first film.
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Toronto
Posts: 2,572
Bikes: 1971 Hercules, 1978 Raleigh Superbe, 1978 Raleigh Tourist, 1964 Glider 3 Speed, 1967 Raleigh Sprite 5 Speed, 1968 Hercules AMF 3 Speed, 1972 Raleigh Superbe, 1976 Raleigh Superbe, 1957 Flying Pigeon, 1967 Dunelt 3 Speed
Mentioned: 57 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1028 Post(s)
Liked 443 Times
in
288 Posts
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Ontario
Posts: 2,648
Mentioned: 16 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 478 Post(s)
Liked 634 Times
in
336 Posts
Interesting: I counted 3 bicycles, 1 car and no trains being used in this short part of the film.....
Looked up the film on IMDB - the whole film is 27 minutes long so I will be looking to watch the entirety of it. I loved the estimated budget section though which listed the cost of the film as 315 sterling!
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Toronto
Posts: 2,572
Bikes: 1971 Hercules, 1978 Raleigh Superbe, 1978 Raleigh Tourist, 1964 Glider 3 Speed, 1967 Raleigh Sprite 5 Speed, 1968 Hercules AMF 3 Speed, 1972 Raleigh Superbe, 1976 Raleigh Superbe, 1957 Flying Pigeon, 1967 Dunelt 3 Speed
Mentioned: 57 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1028 Post(s)
Liked 443 Times
in
288 Posts
Save my Saddle
Has anyone had any success saving a leather saddle?
My B66 has just started to fail at the outer rivet.
I'd like to save it as it's already broken in and quite comfortable.
I'm not keen on breaking in a new one.
Has anyone had any success saving a leather saddle?
My B66 has just started to fail at the outer rivet.
I'd like to save it as it's already broken in and quite comfortable.
I'm not keen on breaking in a new one.
Phyllo-buster
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Nova Scotia
Posts: 8,847
Bikes: roadsters, club bikes, fixed and classic
Mentioned: 133 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2298 Post(s)
Liked 2,055 Times
in
1,255 Posts
Time to put that one to rest I'm afraid.