Originally Posted by Chicago Al

Congrats. If you feel the bike was a job well done and it went to a happy new owner, that's a profitable sale, whatever the dollars. Sure you spent the time on it but you got to learn about how English 3 speeds work.

I had a similar experience with the Raleigh I flipped--the only one I've had--which went to a young lady from the U of Chicago. Yard sale purchase + lots of time + nice parts (Schwalbe Delta Cruiser tires, Koolstop pads) = less than $100 net, but a happy outcome nonetheless. I may never open another S-A hub, but I'm glad I did that one. The only thing I missed doing and do kind of regret was replacing the rims with alloys.

btw: 3 speeds may be a tough sale, Ladies especially, but a classic Raleigh is a thing of beauty, and at least in a market like Chicago, they seem to sell well. There's a local C&Ver who specializes in them. There's the whole 'tweed ride' phenomenon, with the people who actually do those rides only being the visible part of the fan base. There are lots of them around but most are 'as found' so if yours is fully functional, rust free, with new rubber, it will stand out.