Classic & Vintage - Removing 3-speed rear wheel

Hello everyone,
I aquired a Columbia Sports III recently. Needs tubes and tires. How do I remove the rear wheel without disturbing the shifter cable? This is a SA-AW hub. I see how the cable can be separated, but how do I keep the hub in adjustment, or do I have to adjust the gears after installing the wheel? I realize this is old hat to most of you, but I would appreciate any advise.
Thanks, Bob

Bob, usually there's a threaded piece that stays on the indicator (the small chain and rod part that screws into the SA hub) when you unscrew the gear cable end. That marks how far to screw that cable on the next time you hook it up. If you don't have one of those, just mark with a piece of masking tape how far the cable end is threaded on to the indicator.

Neal

Just disconnect the the cable. You'd have to readjust it anyway when you put the wheel back on, even if you left it connected (because you're not likely to put the wheel back in exactly the same place in the dropouts as it was before, so it's adjustment will change anyway)

You will have to readjust unless you get lucky and get it back in exactly the same place. Adjustment is pretty straight forward. Use Sheldon Brown's directions (http://sheldonbrown.com/english-3.html#sturmey).

Aaron:)

Hello everyone,
How do I remove the rear wheel on a Columbia Sports III without disturbing the gear adjustment? Could someone walk me through it in simple terms? Just the basics. Bike needs tubes and tires. That part is no problem. I just need help with the hub.
Many thanks, Bob

It isn't very difficult to adjust the shifting after removing the cable from the rear hub. There should be a small turnbuckle right at the end of the cable, just unscrew it to unhook the cable. Then loosen the axle nuts and take the rear wheel off. When you are done, put the wheel back on and reconnect the cable. To adjust, if you have a Sturmey-Archer hub, put the shifter in 2 or N and adjust the cable until the shoulder of the indicator rod is just visible in the cutout in the axle nut. If you have a Shimano, put the shifter in 2 and adust the cable until the N is centered in the window on the end of the axle. In both cases, the cable should have no tension when in high gear, and there should be very little additional travel when in low.