SS to 3 Spd Swap
12-01-21 | 05:53 PM
#1
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2021
Posts: 245
Likes: 105
From: Houston area
Bikes: 1961 Higgins Flightliner
SS to 3 Spd Swap
I have not owned a 3 spd since I was a preteen. It shifted terrible and I eventually broke the steering tube in a tight turn.
-I needed a bike I could keep in the parking garage at work for lunch rides. Crime is prevalent there, so I didn't want to spend much. Bought a single speed Hyper cruiser a few weeks back from Wally World. Its a cheap clone of a Dyno. Comes completely murdered out. Rims, stem, bars; everything was black except the reflectors.
-A few weeks later, I bought a girls 3 spd coaster beach cruiser off craigslist for cheap. I planned to transplant the Shimano 3 spd wheels to my new Hyper. Looked easy.
-the 3 spd rims looked good until I removed the tires. Found lots of pesky rust. Sanding off all that rust and adding metal polish was an unplanned inconvenience. Rear bearings were OK, but the fronts were as dry as an over cooked turkey.
-After too many hours, wheels and shifter was installed and the cable routed and adjusted. Rides and shifts really good. Looks OK for a cheapie cruiser.
-I needed a bike I could keep in the parking garage at work for lunch rides. Crime is prevalent there, so I didn't want to spend much. Bought a single speed Hyper cruiser a few weeks back from Wally World. Its a cheap clone of a Dyno. Comes completely murdered out. Rims, stem, bars; everything was black except the reflectors.
-A few weeks later, I bought a girls 3 spd coaster beach cruiser off craigslist for cheap. I planned to transplant the Shimano 3 spd wheels to my new Hyper. Looked easy.
-the 3 spd rims looked good until I removed the tires. Found lots of pesky rust. Sanding off all that rust and adding metal polish was an unplanned inconvenience. Rear bearings were OK, but the fronts were as dry as an over cooked turkey.
-After too many hours, wheels and shifter was installed and the cable routed and adjusted. Rides and shifts really good. Looks OK for a cheapie cruiser.
12-10-21 | 09:08 PM
#3
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 77
Likes: 27
I have not owned a 3 spd since I was a preteen. It shifted terrible and I eventually broke the steering tube in a tight turn.
-I needed a bike I could keep in the parking garage at work for lunch rides. Crime is prevalent there, so I didn't want to spend much. Bought a single speed Hyper cruiser a few weeks back from Wally World. Its a cheap clone of a Dyno. Comes completely murdered out. Rims, stem, bars; everything was black except the reflectors.
-A few weeks later, I bought a girls 3 spd coaster beach cruiser off craigslist for cheap. I planned to transplant the Shimano 3 spd wheels to my new Hyper. Looked easy.
-the 3 spd rims looked good until I removed the tires. Found lots of pesky rust. Sanding off all that rust and adding metal polish was an unplanned inconvenience. Rear bearings were OK, but the fronts were as dry as an over cooked turkey.
-After too many hours, wheels and shifter was installed and the cable routed and adjusted. Rides and shifts really good. Looks OK for a cheapie cruiser.
-I needed a bike I could keep in the parking garage at work for lunch rides. Crime is prevalent there, so I didn't want to spend much. Bought a single speed Hyper cruiser a few weeks back from Wally World. Its a cheap clone of a Dyno. Comes completely murdered out. Rims, stem, bars; everything was black except the reflectors.
-A few weeks later, I bought a girls 3 spd coaster beach cruiser off craigslist for cheap. I planned to transplant the Shimano 3 spd wheels to my new Hyper. Looked easy.
-the 3 spd rims looked good until I removed the tires. Found lots of pesky rust. Sanding off all that rust and adding metal polish was an unplanned inconvenience. Rear bearings were OK, but the fronts were as dry as an over cooked turkey.
-After too many hours, wheels and shifter was installed and the cable routed and adjusted. Rides and shifts really good. Looks OK for a cheapie cruiser.
12-11-21 | 09:36 AM
#4
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2021
Posts: 245
Likes: 105
From: Houston area
Bikes: 1961 Higgins Flightliner
it’s good bike for the money if you are not trying to keep up with riders on light weight bikes. It’s perfect for my lunch hour rides on the sidewalks and paths.
it was geared a little tall for me in stock trim, (I’m over 60) so The 3 speed wheel was an inexpensive remedy.
it was geared a little tall for me in stock trim, (I’m over 60) so The 3 speed wheel was an inexpensive remedy.
