Raleigh Sprite BB Upgrade
 

A while ago converted a rescued Raleigh Sprite 27 to 700C with Shimano Nexus 8 speed IGH and dynamo front hub. After using it to tow a trailer, a couple problems came up.

The original Nervar 52 tooth chainring was just too big. Needed something smaller. I found a new Stronglight single that would do the job. Only issue was that I needed to convert to modern JIS taper.

Photos show facing BB shell down to 68 mm from 71 mm and re-tapping with Raleigh the 26 TPI threads. The bottom bracket was fitted with Phil Wood 26 TPI Raleigh Super Corsa cups, chain line set, and crankset was installed for last time. Works great now.

There have been some posts here discussing the use of Shimano UN-72 BB with the Phil Wood cups. have not tried, but IMO, they should work.

Looks nice. :thumb:

The Phil cartridge is an extravagant upgrade, but what the heck, you'll never need to buy another bottom bracket for that bike. I wouldn't have bothered facing the shell, either, if I knew I'd be using the Phil cartridge. I probably would have just used the original cups and found a square taper spindle to work.

http://www.os2.dhs.org/~john/frankenbike/fixed-cup.jpg

with that BB, bike good for another 45 years or so. One thing about the PW BB and cups on any conversion, you can tweak chanline

Thanks for the visuals. I keep thinking I'm going to do that to one of my Raleigh Twenty's.....Don't have the tools. Don't wanna pay a bike shop.

Did the Stronglight crankset info provide the necessary spindle length? That seems to be the biggest issue with changing the crankset.

That bike will last forever barring some unfortunate circumstance. Love the yellow colour assault.

I had an early Sprite 27 long time ago. Quite the stately ride. Certainly could have used a few upgrades but just kept it as found but cleaned and lubed.

You are taking care of yours!

I had a maroon Raleigh Sprite- I replaced a lot of the heavy steel parts with aluminum. I agree with [MENTION=207730]3speedslow[/MENTION]- a "stately ride." I had trouble with the cottered cranks and a bent steel chainring.

I can only imagine the positive improvement with the internal hub...

Congratulations and enjoy!

Yes, 115mm spindle for 42mm chainline

Yes, 115mm spindle for 42mm chainline

Does your Twenty have 76mm BB? Sheldon Brown talks about them on one of his pages:

Yes, all of them do.