Hey, all. I'm starting to figure out what to do with the 1951 Raleigh Clubman I just acquired (pictures in the "Catch of the Day" thread). I'm sure I'll have more questions, but here are the first ones that come up:
1. Dynohub. When I got the bike, the front tire (probably original) was melted into a flat, rock-hard shell that wouldn't clear the fork, immobilizing the front wheel. I hacked it off last night so I could test the Dynohub. An AC voltmeter shows no output.
Googling around, I see that most of these old hubs got demagnetized; I also see some vague references to a process for re-magnetizing them. Does anyone know anything about this?
2. Headlight: this is embarrassing, but I can't figure out how to get it open so as to test/clean/replace the bulb. I removed the small screw on the bottom of the shell, and tried turning the lens counter-clockwise, but it only goes about a turn and then stops. I turned the large screw on the rear of the shell, too; no effect. I don't want to force it and break it. Does anyone know whether the lens is to be screwed off, or pried/popped off? Also, what's the little switch on the bottom for? Sheldon (peace be upon him!) says there's no way to turn the light off, so I'm wondering why it has a switch.
3. The bottom bracket doesn't feel good at all. I have yet to take it apart and see what's going on. I know Raleigh had its own proprietary threading, but my question is whether there were different kinds of Raleigh BB cups. If it turns out to be pitted up in there, can I use a donor BB from a Sports, Record, Sprite, etc.? Were they all the same?
4. Same for the headset: were they the same on all Nottingham Raleighs? And what bearing size -- 5/32"?
5. The cable housings look gray, but really they could've been any color 58 years ago. Does anyone know what the original color would have been?
6. What do you call the sheath that covers the Sturmey-Archer shift cable, and where can you get one? I'm not talking about the housing, but the very thin sheath that covers the cable between the housing stop and the indicator chain.
7. I'm looking for white Bluemels fenders (or convincing imitations) for less than the frightening prices I'm seeing on eBay. Any tips?
Thanks in advance,
Brian