1971 Robin Hood 3 Speed "Sports Model" Time Capsule
 

I recently posted this bike in the "love of English 3 speeds" but felt it warranted its own thread. I acquired it at the Canadian Vintage Bike Show last week for $165 CDN. Closer examination has shown it to be a true survivor with little or no changes since new. I found it interesting to find a "Sports Model" with drop bars. The Robin Hood models were sold cheaper than their Raleigh cousins, and it shows in some of the components and paint finishes. It has original cables and perhaps even tires. I did change the saddle to the white one shown in some of the photos. My biggest question is where did previous owner(s) store this thing?

http://www.bikeforums.net/attachment...6&d=1436712734


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Some more photos of the 3speed racer I never had as a kid!

http://www.bikeforums.net/attachment...6&d=1436712734

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That is cool :thumb:
Roy

Man he must of slept with that thing cause it looks spotless! I used to have a early 70s BSA and Hercules that I would love to have back. They had the exact same frames but didnt headbadge and assuming the same as this Robin Hood.

Hey, 2nd chance to see the bike. Still great looking!

is the saddle there till you find a Brooks ? What is the ride like ?

My luck improved, got a 61-62 Rudge (Raleigh built ) bike dropped in my lap. Nice maroon paint and decent components. Handle bat tape not as nice as yours but intact and decent ! Finally got some but on the wrong bike. Oh well...

Enjoy your summer with the Robin

Thanks 3sppeedslow. The saddle will be replaced when and if I ever find what style it would have had originally. The black plastic made in Taiwan that was on it did not seem original. Anybody out there know? I'm pretty sure it would have been low cost.

The bike rides nice for tooling around but it is a little flexy compared to my modern rides. It feels quicker than I thought. The new saddle gave me a little extra reach and it is now comfortable without changing that very short stem. I like the narrow bars. Feels compact and fast. No squeaks, rattles or rubs, just the click,click,click of the AW. 1st gear did not work when I bought it but a quick adjustment fixed that. I feel like one lucky kid riding it.

I'm starting to understand the lure of the three speed!

Looking at the bike, where is the shifter ? Just noticed, must be blind. I thought they put the shifter on the handle bar behind the right brake.

Saddle, might be a B17 or similar style. Mine did not seem high end but it came with a B15.

Another , maybe 2 question.

endcaps or end plugs. Do they have "made in England" written on thee edge ?

What are the hubs ? Mine are Raleigh stamped steel with oil ports and clips.

there out there . Rich people have good junk in there heated garage . i pulled this 28 mile 74 sports out of a dumpster . the original owner was cleaning out his garage . it had a horn, basket , baby seat , speedo ( schwinn ) , headlight .. the speedometer had 28 miles on it . i asked and he said " thats it " ..http://i255.photobucket.com/albums/h...ps0o96zzjm.jpg
http://i255.photobucket.com/albums/h...pskveyr7i8.jpg

No words on the front hub at all, and no oil port. The rim is stamped Sturmey Archer made in England. The AW hub has a plastic oil cap.
The bars have white plugs and do have made in England printed on the edge.

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@michaelz28 That's a really nice find. What brand and model saddle is on that bike?

B72 brooks . it has some light cracks , bit i weigh 220 and have ridden it some and the cracking got no worse . the plastic shifter cover isn't even cracked ...http://i255.photobucket.com/albums/h...psg44ucm7h.jpg
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This is an awesome bike.

Groves Cycle operated on College St near Kensington up until around 2004 (in Toronto). Two sweet Japanese Canadian brothers had owned it for over 30 years and still had NOS Dunelts and Robin Hood 3 speeds hanging on the walls for about $150. One possible source for your bike. Raleigh always provided club style "racers" to the commonwealth partners in NA.

The 1971 Robin Hood "Sports Model" is now sporting its new honey Brooks B67 and is looking and riding better than ever!

http://www.bikeforums.net/attachment...6&d=1446146314

That is such a beautiful bike! The color is just great - very unique. Enjoy.

That is an especially good looking Sports. Love the colors. And the 23" frame!

Wonderful choice of saddle to go with that wonder of a bike.

I hope you get to show it off on a tweed ride soon. Thanks for bringing it out here again.

Robin Hood is now seeing a few more miles and working very smoothly with a new chain, 21T cog, soft bar tape, bottle holder, French pump!!!! and canvas seat bag.

i want a frame like that to build around an old aluminum alloy aw hub i have. if you see a sports frame from any of the old raliegh brands that needs some love let me know.

I just bought a rough one recently, a '72 "Supercycle". Keep your eyes open for English built bikes that were sold at Sears (JC Higgins) (Free Spirit), Eatons (Glider) and I'm sure there are others. The Supercycle brand was for Canadian Tire and the brand still exists with mostly BSOs.
As long as you have an English threaded BB and horizontal or angled dropouts a 3 speed is a fun project.

Can you tell me if the angle of the stem is different from the Raleigh Sports? It appears to have a bit of a rise in the photos.

Thanks great to read! I hope you saved the bartape. I just spent a lot of time cleaning mine up. Looks quite nice for installing on the Gran Sport.

I don't think it is different. It appears to be 0 deg and very short.

Tossed it in the bin I'm afraid. Don't care for the look or feel of it even if it is authentic!

nice bike