Originally Posted by
mizizzle
Hi, I really enjoyed reading this thread last summer and finally decided to chime in since I am just now trying to fix up a ladies Raleigh Sports '73 I found on Craigslist a few months ago. I don't have any experience working on bikes, but would love to get her in better working condition. Please pardon my newbie questions.
I've sprayed WD40 on the cable ends and added WD40 and ATF to the rear hub, but not so much that the fluid was pouring out of the ends. I drained it, but then wondered if i was supposed to leave it in. When I spin the peddle the ticks sound bright to me, so not sure if I need to do more.
The real issue is that I am having some trouble with the SA gear shifter. It seems to click into place when pressing through the gears in a downward motion, but not so when pressing the lever up. I sort of have to press the lever in towards the handlebar to get it to move up if it's in the middle gear. Anything I can do about that?
Thanks!!
The way you describe the shifter working is how they work in many cases. This is partially dependent on the shifter though, at least generally speaking, the ones that have the plastic faces need to be pressed inward as you shift up through the gears. Downshifting doesn't need the little inward push.