My 1952 Rudge drop-bar bike (Rudge Aero Spcial, clone to the 1952 Raleigh Super Lenton, has nutted front wheels. The nuts have a cast-in "spigot" that fits into a circular groove in the dropout. The result is similar to that of out modern hated "lawyer lips," that the wheel does not just fall off or start flopping out of control is one of the nuts is a little loose. The result is much like our hated modern lawyer lips, but a much more aesthetic solution. My problem is to get some replacement parts, and hoping for a set of early wingnuts to fit the wheel. The thread size of the axle is odd. The OD of the axle is 0.3 inches across the threads. The thread count is 15 threads per 0.58 inches, or 25.86 threads per inch - actually 26 threads per inch?

So the ID of the nut is 0.278", the thread count seems to be 25.86 per inch.

In the exploded drawings that are in the articles in Peter Kohler's On the Drops blogspot, it was said that the nutted attachment was sold for the US market, and the QR wingnuts sold in nearly all other markets. I have the original nuts, but just for racy looks I'd like to get the front wingnuts.

Is this familiar to anyone here? Anybody have a spare set?

Road Fan

Not sure if I'm picturing them correctly in my head. On Friday I saw a box of "many" old wing nuts, some of which were quite ornate and even made of brass. Naturally I passed them them by as they weren't on my mind at the time.

If you could post a photo of what you need I'd appreciate it.

If you don't have a response on here I can try and follow up but catch is my contact isn't back for two weeks.

A year or two ago I sold most of my collection of bikes and parts, keeping only three bikes and the components needed for one I was building. I have collected some wing nuts and have a few in a box somewhere at the lake cottage. I will look for them next time I go out there (probably on Wednesday of this week).

I am in the final throws of building up an entry level Torpado at the moment. I am determined to stick with the wing nuts on this one...

First off, sounds very much like 26 TPI; by 1952 Rudge were Raleigh (or the other way around, if you like). Second, it sounds like to have a number error - an axle of OD .3 and a nut of ID .278 only leaves .022 for threads - which is bugger all. Check again, bet you have a 5/16" 26tpi axle, .3125 nominal OD.

The other issue is fitment with the fork ends. An outside relieved keyhole wants a lipped wing nut. Inside keyhole has a lipped cone.
I may have what you'd like, pm?

Just reread...you need the wingnuts with flange.

I'm sure I have not fully communicated the design of the wheel-to-fork interface. Dimensions of the groove in the fork end, hex nut, and the existing fender washer. I might need a flange, but not too big of one. Here's the textual version:

For my rear wheel I have a steel wingnut with the "wings" on the standard drive side long nut with the holes in it to see if the indicator is aligned properly. It's obviously made for or by Sturmey Archer, though there is not branding stamped or cast into it. It's patinated but mechanically perfect (the threads work).

For the other side I have what should be the rear wheel match - it has the same wings but the barrel is much shorter since it's only a wheel retainer, not a guide for an indicator. The hub is an AW so there are no complicated do-hickeys needed on the left side of the frame. This one looks like it should work, but it will not thread onto the Sturmey-Archer non-drive axle stub. For this one I need to get inside the bore and try to assess the thread. I also need to measure the ID and see if it matches the existing hex nut, which seems original. If I can size the thread I can see if I can get a tap with a gradual diameter. I have a handfull of wingnuts branded "Verma," which do not thread onto the front or rear stubs.

I have another pair of smooth-winged fasteners which look a lot like the Sturmey ones, but which have a smaller ID. They seem llike they should fit my front axle, but they will not engage their threads.

More later, this was really just all about threading, not the front clamp interface.

Sorry Road Fan, I thought I had an extra set but I don't. I'm keeping a pair for my 52 Humber Sports. BTW, both the Raleigh wing nuts and the standard lipped hex nuts are designed specifically to fit your fork drops.
Good luck.

Is it possible to share a picture of what is needed? For me, quick release wing nuts draws a visual blank.