jorglueke

I found an English 3 speed today.

BigChief 

Yup, a Raleigh made bike. From well back in the 60s from the look of it. Interesting that the front fender and brake levers aren't what you usually see on Nottingham Raleighs, but it sure looks all original to me.

jorglueke

It's a 1962, it even came with a (expired) Minneapolis bicycle license. I didn't know they had such things




It's pretty crusty, but I think it can be made rideable if not super pretty again

DQRider 

Ah yes, the ubiquitous Minneapolis Bicycle License; I've encountered these on many CL bikes I've looked at. I'm not sure of the history: Were these required in order to ride on public roads? Something I might look into when I get bored this winter.

Current thinking (going back for about a decade now, applies to all vehicles) seems to be that it is better to preserve the patina of a well-used bicycle, to illustrate its history. However, the patina of neglect can be wiped away and the bike restored to like-or-better-than new condition.

And I learned all of that on this very forum, when I was trying to decide what to do with my DL1. It had rust on everything, the fenders were well-nigh unusable; but it was the rust of sitting outside leaning against a shed, not being ridden in bad weather. I ended up replacing them with new KW pieces from Yellow Jersey, and then restoring the rest of the bike as best I could. It didn't turn out too bad:


And of course this calls for a reposting of a photo taken just after I finished it.

This winter I plan to revisit those twisted, rusty fenders - maybe test my restoration skills.

So, for your Western Flyer I would suggest removing any corrosion with naval jelly or whatever that acid is that some folks use, and then rubbing down all painted surfaces with oil, letting that sit for awhile, and then wiping it down. That was the advice given to me, so I'm passing it on...

jorglueke

Yes I think that's best. Get the rust removed, under control, and the remaining surface protected. These rims aren't too bad, light chrome flecks but no deep pitting. I think overhauling the hub is probably in order and then hopefully it will look fairly nice an be rideable.

The biggest question is if the tires are usable still, cause they really help make the look.

dweenk 

I love the "Garanteed English Lightweight" decal.

When I was a kid, the only places to buy a bike retail were Western Auto (8 miles away), or Sears Roebuck and Montgomery Ward (25 miles away). We were not affluent, so my mother went to her uncle who owned a small general store, and had him order a Rollfast Mid-Weight for my Christmas gift when I was 12 (through the Bennet Blue Book).

While we were in the store, President Kennedy came on TV and announced the blockade of Cuba due to Russian missiles that were there. That sapped the euphoria of getting my first new bike.

BigChief 

I think this old Western Flyer would look great with some attention. I like the look of old bikes. The difference between an old bike, even with rusted spots and scars from years of use, is looking cared for and not neglected. I would polish off what rust I could from the chrome and not worry about what was left, clean and polish the painted areas and then use a liquid car wax to seal it all up. Polishing compound really brings back some luster to old enamel paint. Once all the mechanical issues are dealt with, you'll have a classy old bike. Scars, funky old registration sticker and all. I have a bike very similar to yours. It's a Raleigh made custom brand for a major retailer , Wheel Goods Corporation , in Minneapolis. The photo makes it look cleaner than it is in person. It has rust scars on the fenders like yours. The difference is that it's cared for. I left the seat on for the photo. I have to swap seats to ride this bike. They are useless for anybody over 80 pounds.

scale

I have been on a 3 speed kick lately....just got myself a Raleigh Sport '64 for 30 bucks. It is in decent shape. I have started pulling it apart for a full clean and go over.

It will need tires for sure. Others i have worked on i have gone with the schwable tires but on this one i might try to get by a bit cheaper. Has anyone used the Sunlite tires? They appear to have the same or very simular tread to the original tires


https://www.amazon.com/Sunlite-Stree...008ZTKS1Y?th=1


Looks like they run about 15 or so each after shipping and I have had great experiences with Niagara Cycle.

Is anyone running these and what are your thoughts on them having used them?

My rear rim has a dent/flat spot that you can feel on the brake surface. I tend to get carried away a bit. The last one that had this i ended up getting all new alloy CR-18s, spokes, washers and taught myself how to build up wheels. It was a bit spendy but a fun hobby. Around here cycling on 3 speeds isnt the norm but it should be. Heck they are rugged and ride great IMO. This one is over 50 years old and is still 100% fine. I will probably swap out the rear cog for a 22t to give it gearing that makes more sense. The brooks on it is hard and has a tiny tear starting at the rear where the frame of the saddle ends on one side. I think i can bring it back to life though. That will likely be the last piece to the puzzle once i get the rest of it done. First order of business is getting it torn down and cleaned, lubed and put back together. Then tires.......

DQRider 

Hey, @jorgleuke was looking for whitewalls for his Western Flyer, right? These Sunlite tires you linked to come in black/black or black/white - whitewalls! And for fifteen bucks apiece - I think we found your tires, jorgleuke.

BigChief 

I like Niagara Cycle too. Good outfit. I haven't tried the Sunlites, but I can vouch for the black wall Kenda 590s. They're about the same price.

Salubrious

I picked up a 1937 Raleigh Sports recently. Its equipped with a type K hub.

Right now the big concern is the condition of the frame's finish is deplorable. Someone gave it a spray can finish. I'm wondering if anyone has come up with means to get that stuff off without damaging what's underneath. I can see bits of some of the decals- enough to know that I won't be finding them on ebay.

jorglueke

Can you see bits of the original color?

rhm

Yes, you can get it off, with the right solvent, but you're going to have to figure that out for yourself. Sorry!

Spray paints vary. Basically you need to make an ordered list of solvents, going from the most innocuous to the nastiest, and start with something innocuous like denatured alcohol, then proceed to naphtha, and so on. Start with what you have on your garage shelf. Put some on a paper towel, rub the paint, and look at the paper towel. If it starts turning the color of the rattlecan paint, you've found your solvent. Sooner or later you will find something that works.

Salubrious

Thanks!

adventurepdx

Y'know, these tires were just talked about by @SirMike1983 in the previous page on this here thread!

DQRider 

So Shawn wins the Gold Star for Reading Retention! (Darn it, where's that Gold Star .gif?)

That was a whole page ago; some of us have age-related memory issues, Sonny.

Are you making fun of our handicap?

adventurepdx

Watch it, or I'll make you ride a couple extra rides to qualify for the Three Speed Challenge prize!

agmetal

I totally forgot about the 3-speed challenge I ride mine a lot, but I have 7-8 rideable bikes to choose between, and of those, 3-4 are 3-speeds, but only one sees regular usage.

clubman 

Not sure one of these has been posted yet. A Robin Hood 531 plain gauge 3 speed. Didn't get a date on the hub but I'm pretty sure it's circa 1960. Similar to Lenton Sports and Clubmans of the late 50's but metal mudguards and maybe upright bars if they're original. EA1 wheels, 3 pin chainset.

nlerner

Here's one I built up and sold off recently: an 80s somewhat low-end Univega frameset with 27" wheels and a Sturmey Archer AW rear hub, steel stem and bars. So kind of inspired by English 3-speeds:

Univega3Speed_1 by neal_lerner

Univega3Speed_3 by neal_lerner

Univega3Speed_8 by neal_lerner

DQRider 

What a cool bike! I didn't even know they did a 531 Lenton-style frame with the other brands/badges. I have been seriously thinking about learning to build frames, just so I can duplicate this geometry in some nice, exotic tubing - and then build the ultimate roadster. Dreaming, of course... to do that, I would have to quit my day job. But if I win the lottery...

BigChief 

Nice Bike! This is news to me. I've always thought Raleigh treated the Robin Hood mark as an economy line.

agmetal

Is that an AG hub?

clubman 

yup

scale

What do you think of them after riding them a bit? I am thinking about ordering a set for my '64 sports. They look the part for sure. The price seems more than good. Would you recommend them after riding/owning them?