So I had a couple of minutes today after work to look at the frame and I did the string test and the bottom of the headtube measurement measured in at 25mm and then when I moved the line to the top it was the same. Also the rear spacing is at 114 from what sheldon says that is correct for a 3 speed.

Im hoping that it was pretty correct. I might still take it to the shop to make sure the rear stays are centered.

But this little test made me hopeful.

I don't believe I've ever seen a badge on a mudguard like that. Stickers yes, but a badge never! Very nice looking bike.

I just returned home with this Bronze Green 1968 Sports.

I purchased it from the Original Owner®, who got the bike new for his 11th birthday. It had been sitting in his mother's basement since he went of to college in the mid 70's.

I like the fact that it still had its original Brooks saddle and matching seat bag. It even came with the owners manual.

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-G...2/P1020613.JPG

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-G...2/P1020619.JPG

That is a sweet find, bill! I would think that the owners manual is a real rarity, so this makes the deal even sweeter. I guess the guy wasn't sentimentally attached to it, eh?

Dang Bill, Seriously nice find.

Let me know if you ever come across one in a larger size. Over the winter I'll be building that trashed out 23" sports that I got this summer. I plan to keep it in town, hopefully it's fugly-factor will help it be theft resistant.

Thanks. The seller was kinda sentimental about the bike. He told me he grew up in the Detroit suburbs and used to ride it everywhere. He was pleased when he found out he was selling it to someone who knew what it was, appreciated it, and wasn't going to part it out. It needs a full overhaul and replacement of all consumables. When done it will be my first 3 speed since I was 14 y/o.

Thanks, I'll keep an eye out. Actually, I had hoped this one was going to be a 23" but it is a 21". I don't plan any long rides so I should be fine on it. And, don't think that thieves don't steal ugly bikes. Trust me, they do.

They do steal ugly bikes, but I think 3-speeds have a little more immunity than others. That's how it seems, anyway.

Bill, how are the rims? That's the part on 3-speeds that give me the most trouble. Sometimes they're very trashed.

They seem structurally OK, just a bit cosmetically challenged. Anything in particular that I should look for?

BTW, Up close, she is no bicycle beauty queen. My plan is for this one to replace a 1993 Raleigh C-50 hybrid as my errand runner.

me three.
That's a sweet ride, indeed.

I have a parts question:
I am on the hunt for one or two good steel cotter-pins, two rear reflectors (black or white, don't care) and dust caps for 60's pedals.

The best cotters one can buy are from here:
http://bikesmithdesign.com/CotterPress/cotters.html

$1.25-$4.00 each depending on the grade & trust me you should spring for grade A + $5 shipping

Reflectors try GerdVintage:

These are nice rubber ones with a decent plastic reflective lens and a shiny metal reflective disk on the inside. If you want them to reflect even better, cover the shiny disk inside with Scotchlite tape or SOLAS tape.

$10-12 shipped

Black
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-Refl...item4ab0f2d64c

White
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-Refl...item4ab0f2d660

I'd say that's a good deal as I plunked down $6.00 for a ****ty alloy cotterpin from a vintage bike shop (which will remain unnamed here), because one of the original ones was mysteriously replaced with a french pin after getting a little tuneup from a different vintage bike shop (which will also remain unnamed here). Took a bit of looking around before I found Bike Works on Ridge St in the lower east side http://bikecult.com/welcome.html. Really nice folks, and they were fearless about getting the knackered old AW hub working well again.

Fenway, thank you for the reflector leads!

anybody in for a group buy since they're coming all the way from Thailand?

Wow, those reflectors are nice. Thanks for passing that along!

I too have found Bike Works on Ridge St. to be helpful, and to have the odd vintage part. The owner seems to know best what they have. Recently got a chrome 26" Raleigh chainguard there. It may have been a second long ago (or not), the lettering looks just a little crooked, but it's in nice condition. Also check out their cool chainrings page: http://www.bikecult.com/works/chainring.html

Yes, I'd like two.

I just missed out on this auction a couple days ago. <sigh> (http://www.ebay.com/itm/vintage-bicy...item45fed44c0e) Had I won, I'd have extras to share!

[QUOTE][anybody in for a group buy since they're coming all the way from Thailand?/QUOTE]

Shipping is $5, by the time you split up, repack and mail out your, only going to save a maybe $2-3 each which would be about the same as if an individual like the said ^ noglider above^ were to order 2 and have the shipping combined, or am i missing something?

Nice relflectors though, I mounted one an a Wald Cresent Lightweight (?!?) fenderand it looks just perfect!

Oh, well yes of course they do, but just for the thrill of it. My junker will still get locked inside overnight, but the dents in the frame will make it less likely to draw attention like the big shiny chrome fenders on my Schwinn.

let me know if you'd be interested in going in on a cotter pin order to save shipping. i know it's not very much, but since I'm in town every weekday I could easily pick them up or drop them off.

That occurred to me right after I made the post. I'll do the math again. I think they add jsut £1 per item for combined shipping.

"noglider" is pretty close to me over in NJ, I have friends and family out that way - it wouldn't be a big mess to meet up instead of shipping


[QUOTE=Velognome;13565705]

This thread can always use another photo, right?

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7160/6...11843ca5_b.jpg

Indeed... Is that your Lenton Sports all fixed up? ;)

No, that's my Lambert 'clubman' build. Originally a fifteen speed, but I upgraded it to three. Here's another photo:

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7023/6...d6f49e26_b.jpg

Anyway, the Lenton Sports would be off-topic. It's a four speed!

http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=229628I didn't intend to buy this, but it was in the garage with a road bike i wanted.
After letting it sit for a few weeks, i took it out for a spin, and much to my surprise i loved it.:)
I ended up trading it and another three speed to a forum member for a hybrid.
Too many bikes and not enough room.:cry:

Yes it is an Alvit changer on the '65 chrome Raleigh and it always works fine. My first 3 speed was a Robin Hood with the curved top tube. I had it converted to 9 Speed also, but it was an earlier deraileur with a coiled spring affair. It didn't work as well. That bike was, alas, stolen out of our chicken coop.

You have far too many really nice English bikes... <sigh> I'll get there one of these days, I suppose!

BTW, what's with the concern of going OT? This thread meanders all over the place.