Been there ... done that, back in the 1970s. I rebuilt my low-end 1962 Bianchi Corsa, which had come with 26" wheels, with a Sturmey-Archer ASC (AW with a coaster brake) hub. I used the right side Huret shift lever and kept the OEM drop bars and leather Ideale saddle. It was kind of a fun home-to-university commuter. Shifting was easy -- all the way back for first, just above first for second, then all the way forward for third, with a very handy freewheeling neutral in between.
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"Far and away the best prize that life offers is the chance to work hard at work worth doing." --Theodore Roosevelt
Capo: 1959 Modell Campagnolo, S/N 40324; 1960 Sieger (2), S/N 42624, 42597
Carlton: 1962 Franco Suisse, S/N K7911
Peugeot: 1970 UO-8, S/N 0010468
Bianchi: 1982 Campione d'Italia, S/N 1.M9914
Schwinn: 1988 Project KOM-10, S/N F804069