British/English Tools
10-16-21, 11:37 AM
#1
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British/English Tools
I am in search of wrenches/spanners for my old Raleighs and probably other classic English bikes in the future. Neither USA(English) or metric wrenches I have fit well if at all. Some of my bikes have turned into strip down cleaning/repair as well as lube and tune ups. This makes adjustable wrench use a chore and I prefer not to mar any good chroming left. Any sources or brand advice is sincerely appreciated. I have been cruising the vendors, but field experience is also very helpful. Thanks!
10-16-21, 11:41 AM
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Interesting problem!
What sizes are the fasteners that you are dealing with?
Steve in Peoria
What sizes are the fasteners that you are dealing with?
Steve in Peoria
10-16-21, 12:34 PM
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I am in search of wrenches/spanners for my old Raleighs and probably other classic English bikes in the future. Neither USA(English) or metric wrenches I have fit well if at all. Some of my bikes have turned into strip down cleaning/repair as well as lube and tune ups. This makes adjustable wrench use a chore and I prefer not to mar any good chroming left. Any sources or brand advice is sincerely appreciated. I have been cruising the vendors, but field experience is also very helpful. Thanks!
https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_fro...nches&_sacat=0
10-16-21, 12:40 PM
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Whitworth wrenches?? Spanners??
10-16-21, 12:41 PM
#5
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For example, the pinch bolt on a Raleigh Colt (1976) handle bar is 5/16". In the USA that should take a 1/2" wrench or socket but a 1/2" is too small and a 9/16" is too large just grabbing the corners. Same for 13mm and 14mm wrenches respectively. I found a size comparison chart at a tool site that shows the bolt as a 1/4" bolt Whitworth or 5/16" British Standard with the wrench opening or across flats hex dimension being .525". I'm seeing the same for any fastener be it mounting a shifter to axle nuts.
10-16-21, 02:08 PM
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You need one of these:
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10-16-21, 03:07 PM
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this is new territory for me, and I'm a fan of British bikes. I guess I've managed to avoid this particular issue.
I might need to apologize to the French, since I was assuming they had mostly cornered the market on weird dimensions and thread standards.
Steve in Peoria
I might need to apologize to the French, since I was assuming they had mostly cornered the market on weird dimensions and thread standards.
Steve in Peoria
10-16-21, 03:19 PM
#8
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Spanners
I bought a set of whitworth spanners on eBay. 3/8w and smaller are most suitable for bicycle work. 11/16 w works for headsets.
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TigerTom
TigerTom
10-16-21, 04:02 PM
#9
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I guess I've managed to avoid this particular issue.
I'm tuning in on BSA motocycle supply for looking at wrenches. There's some nice combo paks that include sockets.
On headsets, yeah. The nut on the current one is big, a tad over 1 5/8". I ended up balancing 12" and 18" adjustable wrenches. I'll just say it's been on there awhile; but the chrome is still good. (no pliers/cheater marks)
Last edited by Greg R; 10-16-21 at 04:10 PM.
10-16-21, 04:59 PM
#10
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Here's a rundown of British imperial sizes which I found quite interesting:
https://www.baconsdozen.co.uk/tools/...n%20charts.htm
https://www.baconsdozen.co.uk/tools/...n%20charts.htm
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10-16-21, 06:08 PM
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Snap-on makes offset 12pt box wrenches. Just be willing to pay the Snap-on price.
I have one that I use for seat post binder bolts. was $30 decades ago.
I have one that I use for seat post binder bolts. was $30 decades ago.
10-16-21, 09:17 PM
#12
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Snap-on makes offset 12pt box wrenches.
10-17-21, 06:32 AM
#13
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I got a price from the snap-on man before I bought my Bedford wrenches. It is hard to justify the Snap-On price if you aren’t a specialty British car/motorcycle shop.
I saved big bucks even with shipping from England.
I saved big bucks even with shipping from England.
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TigerTom
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10-17-21, 10:40 PM
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10-17-21, 11:22 PM
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This fits the lug nuts on my Raleigh 20. Keep it in the saddle bag.
I don't carry a socket wrench, but do carry a screwdriver.
I don't carry a socket wrench, but do carry a screwdriver.
10-18-21, 10:31 AM
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FWIW - I found a reasonably priced set of Whitworth wrenches on Amazon. I HATE trying to “get by” with the wrong tools.
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10-18-21, 01:32 PM
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Working on old Raleighs and my Claud Butler tandem has forced me to modify wrenches to fit all the weird nuts and bolts. Metric or mainstream SAE tools were never a good enough fit. Resilion brakes have a .325 hex nut that just recently annoyed me enough that now I have a Resilion wrench (cheap 5/16 wrench that could be filed out to fit. Real tools don't respond to files nearly as nice as flea market tools) Not enough room for a small adjustable, which works, but who wants to do that?
