Sears Austrian 3-speed
#1
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Sears Austrian 3-speed
I found this bike for sale on Craigslist. I couldn't see anything in the Craigslist posting, but I was able to find a link to this picture:
What's up with the cranks? Should I stay away?
What's up with the cranks? Should I stay away?
#3
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Those are steel cottered cranks, perfectly normal for that type and vintage bicycle. How much do they want for it? It looks like it's in decent shape and pretty much original.
#4
You gonna eat that?
If it's just a busted cotter pin it should be fine. If you can't find a replacement locally, Google Flying Pigeon LA (as in Los Angeles). They sell those kinds of parts.
I've got one of those Austrian Sears bikes, a ladies model. It has a Shimano Lark 5-speed derailleur, and it also has a centrifugally tripped two-speed built into the rear hub, making it a pseudo 10-speed. Only problem is that the rear axle nut is stripped so the rear axle slides around a little.
I've got one of those Austrian Sears bikes, a ladies model. It has a Shimano Lark 5-speed derailleur, and it also has a centrifugally tripped two-speed built into the rear hub, making it a pseudo 10-speed. Only problem is that the rear axle nut is stripped so the rear axle slides around a little.
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Doubt it. First the bike has a front and rear brake, no reason for a coaster brake. Second you can see a Sturmey Archer shifter, pulley, and cable mounted on the bike. Gonna have to go with Sixty Fiver on this one...
As far as the offset cranks go it could be a broken (compressed) cotter pin, or somebody could have installed one backwards. They have to be installed opposite each other. Either way, as long as the hole in the crank arm is not enlarged it is easy to fix.
As far as the offset cranks go it could be a broken (compressed) cotter pin, or somebody could have installed one backwards. They have to be installed opposite each other. Either way, as long as the hole in the crank arm is not enlarged it is easy to fix.
Last edited by sfclearwater; 10-25-09 at 10:58 PM.
#7
Velocommuter Commando
If it's just a busted cotter pin it should be fine. If you can't find a replacement locally, Google Flying Pigeon LA (as in Los Angeles). They sell those kinds of parts.
I've got one of those Austrian Sears bikes, a ladies model. It has a Shimano Lark 5-speed derailleur, and it also has a centrifugally tripped two-speed built into the rear hub, making it a pseudo 10-speed. Only problem is that the rear axle nut is stripped so the rear axle slides around a little.
I've got one of those Austrian Sears bikes, a ladies model. It has a Shimano Lark 5-speed derailleur, and it also has a centrifugally tripped two-speed built into the rear hub, making it a pseudo 10-speed. Only problem is that the rear axle nut is stripped so the rear axle slides around a little.
#8
Bicycle Repair Man !!!
The repair on the cottered axle might be pretty straightforward and it may just be a loose cotter in causing the offset... they do have to be checked regularly.
If it has a standard bottom bracket it could also be easily upgraded to cotter less which would knock off some weight and make things easier to service.
If it has a standard bottom bracket it could also be easily upgraded to cotter less which would knock off some weight and make things easier to service.
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Possibly, but more likely it's a Sturmey Archer clone. They are marked "SEARS" and "MADE IN AUSTRIA" and, as far as I can tell, are otherwise perfectly identical to the SA, including interchangability of parts.
+1
+1
+1
#11
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Actually, there was also a F&S Torpedo 3-speed Model 415 that did not have a coaster brake, and it had a shifter mechanism that looked very much like the SA unit. The Austrian built Sears bikes did in fact come with F&S Torpedo transmissions, and not English made SA units.
Last edited by TejanoTrackie; 10-26-09 at 11:41 AM.
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Actually, there was also a F&S Torpedo 3-speed Model 415 that did not have a coaster brake, and it had a shifter mechanism that looked very much like the SA unit. The Austrian built Sears bikes did in fact came with F&S Torpedo transmissions, and not English made SA units.
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Early version ^^^
Last edited by Mos6502; 10-26-09 at 07:11 AM.
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Mine has the same hub as Mr Columbia shows there, except it is "Sear" instead of JC Higgins.
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Elsewhere I have read that the Austrian Sears hub was made by Steyer. I don't know anything about that, but it seems more likely than F&S.
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Good morning, I recently built/laced up a wheel using an old made in Austria "Sears" shell similar to one pictured and my Sturmey S5 internals (needed the 36 holes) I did first compare the sears internals to an AW's and everything matched, so went ahead with the assembly. Tim
Last edited by choteau; 10-26-09 at 07:46 AM. Reason: info
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Well it's certainly possible that Steyr could have the hubs themselves, they would have had the ability. But generally they sourced running gear from Sachs. Their mopeds all used Sachs engines and gear boxes - and I know that they did get three speeds for their bicycles from Sachs too (as I have had a couple which did not have sears re-branded hubs).
I'm sure if Steyr did manufacture the hubs themselves, somebody's gotta know about it.
I'm sure if Steyr did manufacture the hubs themselves, somebody's gotta know about it.
#19
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Looks like the rear reflector is broken, too. That and the cotter are not that big a deal, then.
I emailed the seller, and he says it's a 21" frame, 31" standover height. It may be a bit small for me, as I'm 5'11". Any one know if they came in a bigger size, or is this it?
Unfortunately, he is in a distant suburb, and not home until the afternoon. I'll have to work around daycare pickup, etc. I had a couple of hours yesterday; I should have gone then instead of riding my Raleigh.
I emailed the seller, and he says it's a 21" frame, 31" standover height. It may be a bit small for me, as I'm 5'11". Any one know if they came in a bigger size, or is this it?
Unfortunately, he is in a distant suburb, and not home until the afternoon. I'll have to work around daycare pickup, etc. I had a couple of hours yesterday; I should have gone then instead of riding my Raleigh.
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Larger sized frames did and do exist, at least in some brands; but finding one is another matter. I'm 6' and ride a three speed with a 21" frame quite a bit, and it's not too bad. I had to install a longer seat post, and even so, my hands are a little lower than my preference; but it works.
#22
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Larger sized frames did and do exist, at least in some brands; but finding one is another matter. I'm 6' and ride a three speed with a 21" frame quite a bit, and it's not too bad. I had to install a longer seat post, and even so, my hands are a little lower than my preference; but it works.
Or maybe stop the madness...
Gary
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Actually, there was also a F&S Torpedo 3-speed Model 415 that did not have a coaster brake, and it had a shifter mechanism that looked very much like the SA unit. The Austrian built Sears bikes did in fact came with F&S Torpedo transmissions, and not English made SA units.