For the love of English 3 speeds...
aka Tom Reingold
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Location: New York, NY, and High Falls, NY, USA
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Bikes: 1962 Rudge Sports, 1971 Raleigh Super Course, 1971 Raleigh Pro Track, 1974 Raleigh International, 1975 Viscount Fixie, 1982 McLean, 1996 Lemond (Ti), 2002 Burley Zydeco tandem
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I had a thumb shifter on an S3X hub which is a 3-speed fixed gear hub. It was fine. But the regular shifter is not the least bit vague in my opinion. If yours is, maybe some parts in it are worn, or maybe you just need lubrication.
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Tom Reingold, tom@noglider.com
New York City and High Falls, NY
Blogs: The Experienced Cyclist; noglider's ride blog
“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments.” — Elizabeth West, US author
Please email me rather than PM'ing me. Thanks.
Tom Reingold, tom@noglider.com
New York City and High Falls, NY
Blogs: The Experienced Cyclist; noglider's ride blog
“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments.” — Elizabeth West, US author
Please email me rather than PM'ing me. Thanks.
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Abuse Magnet
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has anyone tried using a thumb shifter on a SA three speed?
I find the SA shifter a bit vague and clunky and wondered if there is anything else that works better?
I have a 1969 Sport in the garage stripped down waiting for me to recover from a broken hip so I can touch up the paint and clear coat it. It is going to be a beautiful bike when finished. I will probably leave it all stock except for a 22 tooth cog in back but might do a little customizing just to be different.
I find the SA shifter a bit vague and clunky and wondered if there is anything else that works better?
I have a 1969 Sport in the garage stripped down waiting for me to recover from a broken hip so I can touch up the paint and clear coat it. It is going to be a beautiful bike when finished. I will probably leave it all stock except for a 22 tooth cog in back but might do a little customizing just to be different.
Phyllo-buster
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Nova Scotia
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Bikes: roadsters, club bikes, fixed and classic
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has anyone tried using a thumb shifter on a SA three speed?
I find the SA shifter a bit vague and clunky and wondered if there is anything else that works better?
I have a 1969 Sport in the garage stripped down waiting for me to recover from a broken hip so I can touch up the paint and clear coat it. It is going to be a beautiful bike when finished. I will probably leave it all stock except for a 22 tooth cog in back but might do a little customizing just to be different.
I find the SA shifter a bit vague and clunky and wondered if there is anything else that works better?
I have a 1969 Sport in the garage stripped down waiting for me to recover from a broken hip so I can touch up the paint and clear coat it. It is going to be a beautiful bike when finished. I will probably leave it all stock except for a 22 tooth cog in back but might do a little customizing just to be different.
Full Member
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: Canberra Australia
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Bikes: 30's Speedwell Club Racer, 40's Speedwell 'Z' racer, 50's Unknown Aussie with nice lugs, 50's Speedwell Roadster, 50's Repco Roadster, '63 Raleigh DL-1, 70's Raleigh Sprite, Puch Promenade with Nexus 8
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Full Member
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: Canberra Australia
Posts: 240
Bikes: 30's Speedwell Club Racer, 40's Speedwell 'Z' racer, 50's Unknown Aussie with nice lugs, 50's Speedwell Roadster, 50's Repco Roadster, '63 Raleigh DL-1, 70's Raleigh Sprite, Puch Promenade with Nexus 8
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Yes they are Big thanks BigChief!
That helps me feel more confident on what I'll ask the bike mechanic to do. I'll be taking the forks to him today & I'll print out your 2 images so he gets a better idea of the fork rake.
That helps me feel more confident on what I'll ask the bike mechanic to do. I'll be taking the forks to him today & I'll print out your 2 images so he gets a better idea of the fork rake.
Full Member
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: Canberra Australia
Posts: 240
Bikes: 30's Speedwell Club Racer, 40's Speedwell 'Z' racer, 50's Unknown Aussie with nice lugs, 50's Speedwell Roadster, 50's Repco Roadster, '63 Raleigh DL-1, 70's Raleigh Sprite, Puch Promenade with Nexus 8
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Straightened forks woohoo! Took about 15 mins. He had obviously done it before and had a good eye for the necessary manipulations, plus the tools to check the measurements.
I thought I may as well have a go at the drive side BB cup and it actually came out! I didn't think that would happen because it was painted over, usually meaning stuck. Yesterday I took off the non-drive side BB cup and saw what I thought was PVC tubing in the BB, but had no time to look any further. So today after wiping out the old grease (in OK condition but a little gritty) there is definitely a PVC tubing sleeve in there, with a secondary PVC ring with a notch cut out to fit around the BB grease nipple. The whole thing was completely full and overflowing out into the chaincase and a really tight fit - I could hammer it out but I might just leave it there.
I thought I may as well have a go at the drive side BB cup and it actually came out! I didn't think that would happen because it was painted over, usually meaning stuck. Yesterday I took off the non-drive side BB cup and saw what I thought was PVC tubing in the BB, but had no time to look any further. So today after wiping out the old grease (in OK condition but a little gritty) there is definitely a PVC tubing sleeve in there, with a secondary PVC ring with a notch cut out to fit around the BB grease nipple. The whole thing was completely full and overflowing out into the chaincase and a really tight fit - I could hammer it out but I might just leave it there.
Senior Member
Raleigh still made bikes for the public during the war, they put out special brochures with patriotic stuff in them
Phyllo-buster
Join Date: Jan 2010
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Well then, there you go. it's not a post-war bike. Must have been made between 43 and 45. My mistake.
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Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Toronto
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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
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Senior Member
Update on my Sturmey-Archer trigger spring replacement project. This is for a 3/4-speed trigger from the late 40s/early 50s. Here's a pic of an NOS spring on top of the existing spring:
Note the couple of degrees difference between the bends of the long end. I imagine that 60 years or so of wear and tear will do that. While I plan on installing the two new springs in two of the triggers in my stash, I have a couple of others that I'll just bend these springs back to their original shape.
Note the couple of degrees difference between the bends of the long end. I imagine that 60 years or so of wear and tear will do that. While I plan on installing the two new springs in two of the triggers in my stash, I have a couple of others that I'll just bend these springs back to their original shape.
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I am resurrecting this $20 Schwinn Traveler for the https://www.bikeforums.net/classic-vi...e-100-3-a.html
I have gleaned from the serial number that this bike is a 1955 model. I'm quite sure that most of the parts on it are non original. (The 700c front wheel for instance) I am curious about the rear hub and the shifter. It appears that both are Sturmey Archer clones. Am I correct in this assumption? The hub is marked "JC Higgins 50320 3-speed" and is laced into a 26x1 3/8 EA3 rim.
After several baths in penetrating oil then light lubricating oil and the judicious application of emery cloth to the inside surfaces I was able to bring this "Brampton Speedy Switch" back to life.
Can any of you help me in piecing together my own less-than-scientific history of this bike by providing some idea of the age of these two components?
Thanks,
Brent
I have gleaned from the serial number that this bike is a 1955 model. I'm quite sure that most of the parts on it are non original. (The 700c front wheel for instance) I am curious about the rear hub and the shifter. It appears that both are Sturmey Archer clones. Am I correct in this assumption? The hub is marked "JC Higgins 50320 3-speed" and is laced into a 26x1 3/8 EA3 rim.
After several baths in penetrating oil then light lubricating oil and the judicious application of emery cloth to the inside surfaces I was able to bring this "Brampton Speedy Switch" back to life.
Can any of you help me in piecing together my own less-than-scientific history of this bike by providing some idea of the age of these two components?
Thanks,
Brent
Phyllo-buster
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You know, I'm not sure. I've never had a Styria apart. The case is very different, so it is an assumption. The Birmingham made Brampton has the same style case and interchangeable parts except they kept the older style threaded driver. I assumed that the licensing would be rather specific and require the same case like the Brampton. But maybe not. I suspect that Brampton may have been the actual manufacturer of the Hercules hubs as well.
Last edited by BigChief; 07-29-17 at 06:52 AM.
Senior Member
Update on my Sturmey-Archer trigger spring replacement project. This is for a 3/4-speed trigger from the late 40s/early 50s. Here's a pic of an NOS spring on top of the existing spring:
Note the couple of degrees difference between the bends of the long end. I imagine that 60 years or so of wear and tear will do that. While I plan on installing the two new springs in two of the triggers in my stash, I have a couple of others that I'll just bend these springs back to their original shape.
Note the couple of degrees difference between the bends of the long end. I imagine that 60 years or so of wear and tear will do that. While I plan on installing the two new springs in two of the triggers in my stash, I have a couple of others that I'll just bend these springs back to their original shape.
On a different note: Is there an era or span of years where the SA AW hub is particularly "bomb proof"? I mean, for example, are the ones from the '50's sturdier than the ones from the '70's? Thanks.
Phyllo-buster
Join Date: Jan 2010
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You know, I'm not sure. I've never had a Styria apart. The case is very different, so it is an assumption. The Birmingham made Brampton has the same style case and interchangeable parts except they kept the older style threaded driver. I assumed that the licensing would be rather specific and require the same case like the Brampton. But maybe not. I suspect that Brampton may have been the actual manufacturer of the Hercules hubs as well.
Any idea when these were made? No date code.
Last edited by clubman; 07-29-17 at 07:35 AM.
Senior Member
Would you please explain or show a few photos of how to get the shifter apart? I have some nice older shifters that I would love to use, but they have the same issue - need a new spring (3 speed) & I don't know to to get them apart without ruining them. They're riveted.
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
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Scorchers!
My theme for tomorrow'a bike show here in Toronto is.. Scorchers!
2 three speeds, ('61 Raleigh Superbe and a '67 Glider), 1 Duomatic (modified '72 Glider)and 2 single speed bikes, (Raleigh frame with a Bayliss Wiley hub and an Indian Eastman with rod and lever brakes).
P1190155.jpg
P1190156.jpg
2 three speeds, ('61 Raleigh Superbe and a '67 Glider), 1 Duomatic (modified '72 Glider)and 2 single speed bikes, (Raleigh frame with a Bayliss Wiley hub and an Indian Eastman with rod and lever brakes).
P1190155.jpg
P1190156.jpg
Last edited by gster; 07-29-17 at 09:10 AM.
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Would you please explain or show a few photos of how to get the shifter apart? I have some nice older shifters that I would love to use, but they have the same issue - need a new spring (3 speed) & I don't know to to get them apart without ruining them. They're riveted.
On a different note: Is there an era or span of years where the SA AW hub is particularly "bomb proof"? I mean, for example, are the ones from the '50's sturdier than the ones from the '70's? Thanks.
On a different note: Is there an era or span of years where the SA AW hub is particularly "bomb proof"? I mean, for example, are the ones from the '50's sturdier than the ones from the '70's? Thanks.
One side of the rivet looks like a small nail head, so flip the shifter over and drive it out from that side. Save the pin because they can be reused. When you re-assemble it, pust the pin in from the "nail head side". Lay the shifter down on the nail head side and gently peen the thin end of the pin.
My theme for tomorrow'a bike show here in Toronto is.. Scorchers!
2 three speeds, ('61 Raleigh Superbe and a '67 Glider), 1 Duomatic (modified '72 Glider)and 2 single speed bikes, (Raleigh frame with a Bayliss Wiley hub and an Indian Eastman with rod and lever brakes).
Attachment 574062
Attachment 574063
2 three speeds, ('61 Raleigh Superbe and a '67 Glider), 1 Duomatic (modified '72 Glider)and 2 single speed bikes, (Raleigh frame with a Bayliss Wiley hub and an Indian Eastman with rod and lever brakes).
Attachment 574062
Attachment 574063
I sold it to somebody who came into the bike shop where I worked and always regretted it. Took me years to find an over painted, 50s Rudge that was messed up enough to scorcherize. Wish I could be there with you!
Rudge Scorcher by Billy Bones, on Flickr