Go Back  Bike Forums > Bike Forums > Classic & Vintage
Reload this Page >

For the love of English 3 speeds...

Notices
Classic & Vintage This forum is to discuss the many aspects of classic and vintage bicycles, including musclebikes, lightweights, middleweights, hi-wheelers, bone-shakers, safety bikes and much more.

For the love of English 3 speeds...

Old 03-08-23, 08:08 PM
  #26801  
sbarner 
Paramount Fan
 
sbarner's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Vermont
Posts: 292

Bikes: Paramounts, Raleigh Pros, Colnago, DeRosa, Gios, Masis, Pinarello, R. Sachs, Look, D. Moulton, Witcomb, Motobecane, Bianchis, Fat City, Frejus, Follis, Waterford, Litespeed, d'Autremont, others, mostly '70s-'80s

Mentioned: 3 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 123 Post(s)
Liked 237 Times in 132 Posts
Originally Posted by thumpism
Looks a lot like the '62 Men's version I brought back from the local bike co-op to fix up. Rod brakes and 26" wheels, Dynohub, and all in a whole lot better condition than this one. The co-op doesn't have people who really know these bikes and they hesitate to hand them out to people as they could be a servicing problem down the road, if they actually get ridden. I have been pulling out the ones that have promise and going completely through them in the hopes that we can raise some funds for the operation selling these to more upscale customers. I think a classic 3-speed is just about the perfect bike for recreation path use, both paved and unpaved, and there are a lot of people who never ride their bikes anywhere else. Time will tell if I am right or all wet, as usual. Of course, a rod brake bike is in a different league, but we sold a surprising number of DL1 and DL1L models in the 1970s, and I expect that tweedy set is still lurking out there, somewhere.
sbarner is offline  
Likes For sbarner:
Old 03-10-23, 07:50 AM
  #26802  
BFisher
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2013
Posts: 2,336
Mentioned: 35 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 767 Post(s)
Liked 1,897 Times in 889 Posts
@nlerner, My wife has one of those Sportsmans, a '64, same great color sans white head tube. It was a $15 score from the Allentown area many years ago. I converted it from the awful grip shift to trigger, added a 22t sprocket, cream Delta Cruisers, and an old B66. We call it the Huffington or the Huffingham. Sounds more English.
BFisher is offline  
Likes For BFisher:
Old 03-10-23, 08:52 PM
  #26803  
Korina
Happy banana slug
 
Korina's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2015
Location: Arcata, California, U.S., North America, Earth, Saggitarius Arm, Milky Way
Posts: 3,753

Bikes: 1984 Araya MB 261, 1992 Specialized Rockhopper Sport, 1993 Hard Rock Ultra, 1994 Trek Multitrack 750, 1995 Trek Singletrack 930

Mentioned: 31 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1524 Post(s)
Liked 1,513 Times in 906 Posts
Anyone up for an ID? Someone in Commuting wants to know what bike is in an old Sheena Easton music video.
Korina is offline  
Old 03-11-23, 08:35 AM
  #26804  
thumpism 
Bikes are okay, I guess.
 
thumpism's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: Richmond, Virginia
Posts: 9,128

Bikes: Waterford Paramount Touring, Giant CFM-2, Raleigh Sports 3-speeds in M23 & L23, Schwinn Cimarron oddball build, Marin Palisades Trail dropbar conversion, Nishiki Cresta GT

Mentioned: 69 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2647 Post(s)
Liked 2,445 Times in 1,557 Posts
Sheena looks unsteady riding it.


Last edited by thumpism; 03-11-23 at 08:50 AM.
thumpism is offline  
Old 03-11-23, 06:00 PM
  #26805  
thumpism 
Bikes are okay, I guess.
 
thumpism's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: Richmond, Virginia
Posts: 9,128

Bikes: Waterford Paramount Touring, Giant CFM-2, Raleigh Sports 3-speeds in M23 & L23, Schwinn Cimarron oddball build, Marin Palisades Trail dropbar conversion, Nishiki Cresta GT

Mentioned: 69 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2647 Post(s)
Liked 2,445 Times in 1,557 Posts
$100 ladies' Sports with cancerous gumwalls in MA.

https://www.facebook.com/marketplace...39709324659401

thumpism is offline  
Likes For thumpism:
Old 03-11-23, 06:09 PM
  #26806  
thumpism 
Bikes are okay, I guess.
 
thumpism's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: Richmond, Virginia
Posts: 9,128

Bikes: Waterford Paramount Touring, Giant CFM-2, Raleigh Sports 3-speeds in M23 & L23, Schwinn Cimarron oddball build, Marin Palisades Trail dropbar conversion, Nishiki Cresta GT

Mentioned: 69 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2647 Post(s)
Liked 2,445 Times in 1,557 Posts
Ancient 23" ladies' for FORTY DOLLARS in VA.

https://www.facebook.com/marketplace...00173407078517

thumpism is offline  
Likes For thumpism:
Old 03-13-23, 04:05 PM
  #26807  
sunburst
Senior Member
 
sunburst's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: SF Bay Area
Posts: 1,759

Bikes: Giant, Peugeots, Motobecanes, Kona, Specialized, Bike Friday, Ironhorse, Royal Scot, Schwinns

Mentioned: 7 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 185 Post(s)
Liked 96 Times in 51 Posts
Originally Posted by nlerner
Another recent rehab--a 1961 Huffy Sportsman with TCW rear hub:

That saddle is just a placeholder until I find something better. Bright bits cleaned up reasonably well, and shifting and braking seem to work fine. I couldn't get the adjustable BB cup off (but the BB has an oiler port, so I liberally sprayed some lube in there to free up the bearings), all of the rusted bits spent considerable time in Evaporust, and I had to solder a new double-ended cable for the front brake, but other than the frame finish being fairly beat up, I think it cleaned up reasonably well. I did sand and lightly paint and rear rack and reinstalled after this pick. The color sorta matches!
Here's one I'm shipping to a friend in CO tomorrow. Remarkably well preserved. Someone took really good care of it. I replaced tires and brake pads. I would have replaced all the cables but never dealt with those double sided cables before and had to way to terminate the brake end.


original saddle (with its clamp reversed)



any idea what year this is?
sunburst is offline  
Likes For sunburst:
Old 03-13-23, 04:10 PM
  #26808  
gna
Count Orlok Member
 
gna's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2009
Location: St. Paul, MN
Posts: 1,821

Bikes: Raleigh Sports, Raleigh Twenty, Raleigh Wyoming, Raleigh DL1, Schwinn Winter Bike

Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 122 Post(s)
Liked 176 Times in 97 Posts
Originally Posted by sunburst
Here's one I'm shipping to a friend in CO tomorrow. Remarkably well preserved. Someone took really good care of it. I replaced tires and brake pads. I would have replaced all the cables but never dealt with those double sided cables before and had to way to terminate the brake end.


original saddle (with its clamp reversed)



any idea what year this is?
I'm guessing early-mid '60s. Is there a date stamped on the SA hub?
gna is offline  
Old 03-15-23, 09:35 AM
  #26809  
thumpism 
Bikes are okay, I guess.
 
thumpism's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: Richmond, Virginia
Posts: 9,128

Bikes: Waterford Paramount Touring, Giant CFM-2, Raleigh Sports 3-speeds in M23 & L23, Schwinn Cimarron oddball build, Marin Palisades Trail dropbar conversion, Nishiki Cresta GT

Mentioned: 69 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2647 Post(s)
Liked 2,445 Times in 1,557 Posts
Most of an old Conquest with Hercumatic shifter for $50 in PA.

https://www.facebook.com/marketplace...22463579109282

thumpism is offline  
Old 03-16-23, 03:41 PM
  #26810  
Marco99
Newbie
 
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: YOW 613
Posts: 30

Bikes: 1989 Miyata Triple Cross, 1983 Velo Sport Alpin, 2010 Devinci Tosca SL2 1993 Kona Kilauea 1976 Super Course 3 speed

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 17 Post(s)
Liked 22 Times in 7 Posts
mostly a collection of castoffs

This is my winter project come to fruition. A crusty 1976 Super Course frame (fork from some other Raleigh), a 1979 AW 3 speed hub (from the local bike co-op) that I laced to a new 36H 700C rim, a spare front wheel. New tires and brake pads plus other odds and sods from the co-op and my parts bin.


Currently a 20T sprocket and using the 42T chainring on the original crank. I took it out for a spin and quite liked it, waiting for the snow to disappear and warmer weather to arrive for a longer ride. Weighs in at approximately 25 pounds


May 10 update: Added fenders, chain guard and 22T cog. The grocery getter is complete.


Last edited by Marco99; 05-11-23 at 07:26 AM. Reason: add info
Marco99 is offline  
Old 03-17-23, 10:19 AM
  #26811  
52telecaster
ambulatory senior
 
52telecaster's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2016
Location: Peoria Il
Posts: 6,347

Bikes: Austro Daimler modified by Gugie! Raleigh Professional and lots of other bikes.

Mentioned: 76 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1953 Post(s)
Liked 3,634 Times in 1,671 Posts
Originally Posted by Marco99
This is my winter project come to fruition. A crusty 1976 Super Course frame (fork from some other Raleigh), a 1979 AW 3 speed hub (from the local bike co-op) that I laced to a new 36H 700C rim, a spare front wheel. New tires and brake pads plus other odds and sods from the co-op and my parts bin.


Currently a 20T sprocket and using the 42T chainring on the original crank. I took it out for a spin and quite liked it, waiting for the snow to disappear and warmer weather to arrive for a longer ride. Weighs in at approximately 25 pounds
I have a supercourse with an aw as well. I really like the combo.
52telecaster is offline  
Likes For 52telecaster:
Old 03-17-23, 01:19 PM
  #26812  
Marco99
Newbie
 
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: YOW 613
Posts: 30

Bikes: 1989 Miyata Triple Cross, 1983 Velo Sport Alpin, 2010 Devinci Tosca SL2 1993 Kona Kilauea 1976 Super Course 3 speed

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 17 Post(s)
Liked 22 Times in 7 Posts
Originally Posted by 52telecaster
I have a supercourse with an aw as well. I really like the combo.
I am struggling with the shifter placement, I like the orientation of your shifter, how did you do it?
Marco99 is offline  
Old 03-18-23, 08:56 PM
  #26813  
Ged117 
Senior Member
 
Ged117's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2018
Location: Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
Posts: 580

Bikes: 1951 Sun Wasp, 1953 Armstrong Consort, 1975 Raleigh Competition, 1980 Apollo Gran Sport, 1988 Schwinn Voyageur, Mystery MTB

Mentioned: 31 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 359 Post(s)
Liked 445 Times in 189 Posts
I finished rebuilding my '53 AW hub I got for cheap as it was frozen / rusted solid, having been raided for parts and left in a shed for many a year by the PO. Unfortunately, somehow I broke the axle key...I can't grasp how it happened. Re-assembled mechanism installed into the shell / wheel after testing, then I ticked it along and it was suddenly stuck - I opened it up, and a piece of axle key was jammed next to the clutch. It was a replacement part, as the original was missing. Anyone here have an axle key break? Now I need to have it all apart again...bummer.
Ged117 is offline  
Old 03-19-23, 08:32 AM
  #26814  
52telecaster
ambulatory senior
 
52telecaster's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2016
Location: Peoria Il
Posts: 6,347

Bikes: Austro Daimler modified by Gugie! Raleigh Professional and lots of other bikes.

Mentioned: 76 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1953 Post(s)
Liked 3,634 Times in 1,671 Posts
Originally Posted by Marco99
I am struggling with the shifter placement, I like the orientation of your shifter, how did you do it?
First of all the shifter is from a Sears three speed so it's sturmey compatible but not actually sturmey. Second, it's stretched a bit over a larger diameter bar which makes it sit a bit differently. The clamps will bend a bit.
52telecaster is offline  
Likes For 52telecaster:
Old 03-19-23, 08:46 AM
  #26815  
nlerner
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2005
Posts: 17,127
Mentioned: 480 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3788 Post(s)
Liked 6,574 Times in 2,580 Posts
Originally Posted by Ged117
I finished rebuilding my '53 AW hub I got for cheap as it was frozen / rusted solid, having been raided for parts and left in a shed for many a year by the PO. Unfortunately, somehow I broke the axle key...I can't grasp how it happened. Re-assembled mechanism installed into the shell / wheel after testing, then I ticked it along and it was suddenly stuck - I opened it up, and a piece of axle key was jammed next to the clutch. It was a replacement part, as the original was missing. Anyone here have an axle key break? Now I need to have it all apart again...bummer.
I've had that happen at least once after a hub rebuild. PITA! Don't know if it was a flaw in the axle key or improper assembly or what.
nlerner is offline  
Old 03-19-23, 08:49 AM
  #26816  
JohnDThompson 
Old fart
 
JohnDThompson's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Appleton WI
Posts: 24,936

Bikes: Several, mostly not name brands.

Mentioned: 153 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3571 Post(s)
Liked 3,367 Times in 1,916 Posts
Originally Posted by Ged117
I finished rebuilding my '53 AW hub I got for cheap as it was frozen / rusted solid, having been raided for parts and left in a shed for many a year by the PO. Unfortunately, somehow I broke the axle key...I can't grasp how it happened. Re-assembled mechanism installed into the shell / wheel after testing, then I ticked it along and it was suddenly stuck - I opened it up, and a piece of axle key was jammed next to the clutch. It was a replacement part, as the original was missing. Anyone here have an axle key break? Now I need to have it all apart again...bummer.
I haven't had an axle key break, but I have had them strip, so they no longer hold the indicator rod. Just as annoying. There's something to be said about the ones that use a two-piece indicator rod that traps the axle key between the two parts of the rod. No need to open the hub if the rod strips; just replace the rod.
JohnDThompson is offline  
Old 03-19-23, 09:41 AM
  #26817  
thumpism 
Bikes are okay, I guess.
 
thumpism's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: Richmond, Virginia
Posts: 9,128

Bikes: Waterford Paramount Touring, Giant CFM-2, Raleigh Sports 3-speeds in M23 & L23, Schwinn Cimarron oddball build, Marin Palisades Trail dropbar conversion, Nishiki Cresta GT

Mentioned: 69 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2647 Post(s)
Liked 2,445 Times in 1,557 Posts
Originally Posted by Ged117
...and a piece of axle key was jammed next to the clutch. It was a replacement part, as the original was missing. Anyone here have an axle key break? Now I need to have it all apart again...bummer.
I've found one on a hub being rebuilt, not one of my own.
thumpism is offline  
Old 03-19-23, 04:05 PM
  #26818  
SirMike1983 
On the road
 
SirMike1983's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: New England
Posts: 2,159

Bikes: Old Schwinns and old Raleighs

Mentioned: 35 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 369 Post(s)
Liked 825 Times in 317 Posts
I've had the axle key break. It's annoying but once you get used to taking apart and reassembling the AW hub, it's not a huge set back.
__________________
Classic American and British Roadsters, Utility Bikes, and Sporting Bikes (1935-1979):
https://bikeshedva.blogspot.com/
SirMike1983 is offline  
Likes For SirMike1983:
Old 03-19-23, 04:46 PM
  #26819  
Ged117 
Senior Member
 
Ged117's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2018
Location: Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
Posts: 580

Bikes: 1951 Sun Wasp, 1953 Armstrong Consort, 1975 Raleigh Competition, 1980 Apollo Gran Sport, 1988 Schwinn Voyageur, Mystery MTB

Mentioned: 31 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 359 Post(s)
Liked 445 Times in 189 Posts
Thanks for the responses, its good to hear that experienced folks have had this happen post-rebuild.
Ged117 is offline  
Likes For Ged117:
Old 03-19-23, 08:57 PM
  #26820  
SirMike1983 
On the road
 
SirMike1983's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: New England
Posts: 2,159

Bikes: Old Schwinns and old Raleighs

Mentioned: 35 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 369 Post(s)
Liked 825 Times in 317 Posts
Originally Posted by Ged117
Thanks for the responses, its good to hear that experienced folks have had this happen post-rebuild.
I've had them break during the rebuild and I've had one even break when I was testing the hub after putting the wheel back on the bike. The latter was annoying because... off the wheel has to come again, and start over. Perhaps they had hairline cracks around the indicator spindle hole I didn't notice at first. A new key set them right.
__________________
Classic American and British Roadsters, Utility Bikes, and Sporting Bikes (1935-1979):
https://bikeshedva.blogspot.com/
SirMike1983 is offline  
Old 03-19-23, 09:12 PM
  #26821  
Pinarello9591
Newbie
 
Join Date: Jan 2023
Location: Plymouth, Michigan
Posts: 4

Bikes: 1987 Pinarello Montello SLX

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 12 Times in 2 Posts
English three speeds

Enjoyed your story.

Back in the 80s I spent a month touring England on my Raleigh Grand Prix. I thought I needed the best equipment to do a trip like this. While there, I met a great older rider (my current age of 64) and he was riding from hostel to hostel from Scotland to Landsend on a beautiful three speed. He was fit. Took his time and told me not to get caught up in the gear. Focus on the ride. Words I will never forget.
Pinarello9591 is offline  
Old 03-27-23, 07:01 PM
  #26822  
gster
Senior Member
 
gster's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Toronto
Posts: 2,571

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 439 Times in 287 Posts
Originally Posted by SirMike1983
I've had the axle key break. It's annoying but once you get used to taking apart and reassembling the AW hub, it's not a huge set back.
My experience/lesson learned is NOT to spin the wheel/hub without the indicator in place.
I was adjusting the hub play with the wheel in place and the key came out of its' "nest" and got chewed up.

Last edited by gster; 03-29-23 at 02:50 PM.
gster is offline  
Likes For gster:
Old 03-31-23, 08:27 PM
  #26823  
thumpism 
Bikes are okay, I guess.
 
thumpism's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: Richmond, Virginia
Posts: 9,128

Bikes: Waterford Paramount Touring, Giant CFM-2, Raleigh Sports 3-speeds in M23 & L23, Schwinn Cimarron oddball build, Marin Palisades Trail dropbar conversion, Nishiki Cresta GT

Mentioned: 69 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2647 Post(s)
Liked 2,445 Times in 1,557 Posts
Lenton for $125 in NY.

https://www.facebook.com/marketplace...95774762144947

thumpism is offline  
Likes For thumpism:
Old 04-01-23, 02:21 PM
  #26824  
1989Pre 
Standard Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Brunswick, Maine
Posts: 4,216

Bikes: 1948 P. Barnard & Son, 1962 Rudge Sports, 1963 Freddie Grubb Routier, 1980 Manufrance Hirondelle, 1983 F. Moser Sprint, 1989 Raleigh Technium Pre, 2001 Raleigh M80

Mentioned: 25 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1281 Post(s)
Liked 894 Times in 471 Posts
I was just thinking it might be a nice idea to ask members who have already posted to this string to give us an update on a bike they may have posted photos of years ago. I am also wondering who, among us, has owned their complete 3-speed the longest.
__________________
Pay attention. Take names. Act.
1989Pre is offline  
Likes For 1989Pre:
Old 04-02-23, 03:18 PM
  #26825  
gster
Senior Member
 
gster's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Toronto
Posts: 2,571

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 439 Times in 287 Posts
OT but still interesting...

A Bitsa that I put together a few years back.
A 23" Glider/Raleigh frame w/ a 60's Sachs Torpedo 2 speed kickback (Duomatic) hub and
some French handle bars.
Back peddle rear brakes and a Raleigh caliper up front.
Brooks saddle.
Fun to ride but I prefer a 3 speed over this.
For those old enough to remember.
you can lock it up and really lay a patch.......
gster is offline  
Likes For gster:

Thread Tools
Search this Thread

Contact Us - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service -

Copyright © 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.