BearsPaw

I've never worked an a three-speed before. I got a 1965 Cavalier (Raleigh) off CL for $20 last year, and it has just worked.

The other day the indicator spindle (I think that's the name, the chain running into the hub that shifts gears) fell out. I retrieved it, and after some research online, it seemed like I could simply screw it back in. There are threads on the spindle. Unfortunately, this doesn't work. Any suggestions? Did I lose a piece when it fell out of the hub?

cman

Looks like everything is there. have you had it out before? Is the end of the small threads pointed? maybe the end broke off inside. If that happened, the hub will have to be dissassembled

Here is a link with some diagrams for reference.
https://ratrodbikes.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=1162

Dan Burkhart 

Can't really see the condition of the threads in the photo, but the point is still there so I think it just unthreaded. Just lay the bike on it's left side so gravity will help the thread engage and drop it all the way in and turn the chain clockwise until it stops. Back it off a half turn and re-connect and adjust. Might not hurt to lube it a bit first.

BikeManDan

Should be able to just insert it and screw it in clockwise

Seems like maybe you're missing the cable affixing bolt though (but that won't prevent you from screwing the indicator in)

BearsPaw

I had never taken it out before. I think I'll have to try disassembly. Thanks for the diagram links.

This sounded like a promising idea, but I couldn't get it to work. It feels like it is all the way in, but it's just not catching. The threads on the spindle look fine, but who knows what it looks like inside the hub.

I have it on my table. I just took it off when I detached the cable to make it easier to screw in the spindle.

bikingbrit

It looks like your right axle nut is broken also. The cylindrical part shown in your spindle picture should be attached to the hex nut in the other picture.

Has the down-shifting been difficult recently? The broken nut could cause this as the normal shift chain guiding function would be impaired. If it was difficult and you forced it you may have stripped the thread of the internal part that the spindle screws into.

Wil Davis

The rod with the thread finishing at a point should screw into the axle key (see diagrams). The point is there to make it easier to locate. From your picture it looks as though the thread might be stripped… …bummer!

- Wil

jgedwa

Threads might be stripped. Very hard to tell from that picture. If so, they are cheap to replace. An LBS that has been around will have one someplace. Only a couple of bucks.

If it is not (and I would guess it is not), then keep trying. The threads are fine, so go gently. It goes in a lot more deeply than one might guess, so try to make sure you have it going right in the center and at a 90 degree angle to the hub.

Don't give up on it. A 3 spd that runs well is a fun bike.

jim

Sheldon Brown

Actually, that made things _harder_!

The normal procedure is to unscrew the knurled adjuster from the outer end of the indicator spindle. You don't want to disturb the cable anchor bolt.

No, that's the "two piece" right axle nut setup that Raleigh used for a while. It allowed them to make the bike box a skosh thinner, saving them big bucks on shipping.

Sheldon "https://sheldonbrown.com/aw" Brown

BearsPaw

Well, thanks for the encouragement. I just kept trying, and it turns out it went in a lot deeper than it seemed at first. It's in now.

And now I know what I am working on next...