Oil Lubrication on old Raleigh BB ???
08-18-16, 01:15 PM
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Oil Lubrication on old Raleigh BB ???
My wife dragged home a nice big old 3-speed Raleigh a few days ago, possibly from the 1960s. Possibly earlier. The 3-speed Sturmy Archer hub has 50-11 stamped on it and there are patent numbers on it for Great Britain and Switzerland. Mechanical oil port with spring and ball instead of a plastic or metal flip-top plug.
No model name because someone painted it over but it did have a nice Mini-Sportshift 70-B mounted on the top tube.
It has an external lubrication port on the top of the bottom bracket on the left side, and what looks like a drain plug on the right chain stay right behind the bottom bracket. The plug is easily accessed through the holes stamped in the chain ring. The chain ring is the usual Raleigh heron pattern except that the herons all have an eye stamped.
Is this an old oil bath bottom bracket ??
Binky
No model name because someone painted it over but it did have a nice Mini-Sportshift 70-B mounted on the top tube.
It has an external lubrication port on the top of the bottom bracket on the left side, and what looks like a drain plug on the right chain stay right behind the bottom bracket. The plug is easily accessed through the holes stamped in the chain ring. The chain ring is the usual Raleigh heron pattern except that the herons all have an eye stamped.
Is this an old oil bath bottom bracket ??
Binky
08-18-16, 03:08 PM
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I have old low-flange Camagnolo hub on an old wheelset, and they have oil ports as well. I've been told that you CAN force grease into them under pressure with an old-fashioned hand-pump grease gun. The idea is that the cruddy old grease will force itself out along the axle, making 'regreasing' of the bearings a 30-second job. Messy, though. I've actually tried this, and it does work. Also, you can always add oil to grease to "thin it down".
08-18-16, 03:55 PM
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From the code stamp I would imagine it is from the end of 1950.
08-18-16, 05:01 PM
#4
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This would do better posted in the C&V section. Those guys know more about the old stuff.
Maybe a mod can move it.
-SP
Maybe a mod can move it.
-SP
08-18-16, 07:04 PM
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Greetings, it has basic cup and cone bearings, that can be easily repacked with grease, or as we did back in the day, 90 wt gear oil can be injected into the bottom bracket through the oil port. I don't recall any drain plugs on my Raleigh or Phillips.
Regards
Regards
08-19-16, 12:06 AM
#6
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Oil cup with a cap, on top of the BB shell ?
British. you add Oil and it leaks out then you add some More.
Park the Bike over a Drip pan..
British. you add Oil and it leaks out then you add some More.
Park the Bike over a Drip pan..
08-19-16, 07:33 AM
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Since the bike is old(vintage), you may also before riding, need to overhaul(fresh grease).. the hubs, headset, and pedals.You Tube is your friend!
Regards
Regards
Last edited by skoda2; 08-19-16 at 07:40 AM.
08-19-16, 12:35 PM
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Just take apart and regrease the bottom bracket bearings and races with a waterproof grease and forget about the oil point. I
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