seans_potato_business

I have a 'Primeus Gazelle' bike. It's old and Dutch and I don't think Primeus still exists or at least no longer operates under that name. The rear hub was made by Sturmey Archer and is a '3-speed brake hub'. It says

Made in
95-12
England

I'm not sure if 95-12 is a model number or the date of manufacture. The gear shifter works by a tiny (rusty) chain (like a miniature bike chain) which appears to be held under tension by the hub innards, such that I can control how far into the hub the chain goes, by moving the gear lever. The gears switch down to the lower gears pretty quickly and easily, but switch back up to a high gear takes several minutes. Perhaps someone has advice or knows where information on this sort of hub can be found?

Also, there appears to be a mysterious piece of flat string/cord (like a flat wick) wedged between the rear sprocket and the hub. Any ideas what that's about?

Sixty Fiver

The chain thingy is called an indicator spindle and when the shifter is in it's third (high) position the cable should not be tight but rather, have just enough slack to allow the spindle to move to it's most inward position in the hub.

When you shift from third to second that slack should be such that it is taken up immediately.

95-12 could be a date code for December 1995 which means that the bike isn't that old or that the hub was a replacement.

As always, you can get all the info you need at Sheldon "we're really missing you" Brown's site.

https://www.sheldonbrown.com/sturmey-archer.html

raleighrider75

Something is slowing down how quick the indicator chain goes into the hub.You have to determine whether it's the cable/shifter or the hub itself that's sticking.
As for the "wick thing",being as it's a Dutch bike,I'm guessing it has(or had)an enclosed chaincase.Probably cloth(or leatherette).The string keeps the elements from getting in there.Like a gasket,sealing the hub to the chaincase.

Sixty Fiver

The shift cable may need to be replaced..if the indicator is spindle is rusted it too should be cleaned up and oiled or replaced.

seans_potato_business

Okay thanks, I think I have enough info now.

It's really sad about Sheldon Brown. I'm hardly ever here and I'm only a "utility cyclist" but his work has helped me, and he even helped me in a thread I started just a month or so ago. My condolences to all those who are missing him.