For the love of English 3 speeds...
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Hey guys-
Saw this on CL. Looks pretty grungy but intact. You think it's worth saving? Would be my first real major restoration project.
https://buffalo.craigslist.org/bik/6112128852.html
Saw this on CL. Looks pretty grungy but intact. You think it's worth saving? Would be my first real major restoration project.
https://buffalo.craigslist.org/bik/6112128852.html
Here's my 35 dollar roadster before and after


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Hey guys-
Saw this on CL. Looks pretty grungy but intact. You think it's worth saving? Would be my first real major restoration project.
https://buffalo.craigslist.org/bik/6112128852.html
Saw this on CL. Looks pretty grungy but intact. You think it's worth saving? Would be my first real major restoration project.
https://buffalo.craigslist.org/bik/6112128852.html
ATTACH]561456[/ATTACH]

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If the rims were usable, it was a good deal. Thing is, you never really know till you pull off the tires. The expense of replacing Westwoods will quickly outpace the value of a DL-1 with rust issues.
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The tool industry made stuff for straightening crank arms. I found such a thing at a swap meet for $35.00. Its certainly paid for itself!
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I wish they were all like that one - that's the best one near me. Most are getting pretty ragged looking... lots of pot holes to dodge the past couple of years.
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Classic American and British Roadsters, Utility Bikes, and Sporting Bikes (1935-1979):
https://bikeshedva.blogspot.com/
Classic American and British Roadsters, Utility Bikes, and Sporting Bikes (1935-1979):
https://bikeshedva.blogspot.com/
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Cleaver to use that spot. A dream bike on a dream road surface makes a beautiful photo. Really works well. It makes you picture yourself riding that bike on that road. I suppose us cyclists tend to notice road surfaces more than most. Especially after riding rough roads in the early springtime.
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It is true that if your cotters have mismatched facets, the crank arms will not align with one another; if you feel this at all, while riding, it will present as an odd pedaling rhythm, one foot following the other a little too closely.
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Robin in the 'Hood
The 1971 Robin Hood Sports is ready for another season. It has not been ridden much in the last couple of years. I was being a bit of a slave to originality as the bike was largely untouched since new. This winter I made a commitment to ride it more next season or part with it. To that end, the first modification was to replace the 46T to18T gearing with a new 21T found at my LBS. The original chain, although not stretched, was also replaced and is much smoother and quieter.
The original white plastic bar tape was replaced with a modern white "cork" type tape which looks a little thick but feels great. The lack of a bottle cage was bugging me so I resorted to the old method of the twin metal straps.
Last week I did a 30km ride on mixed surfaces (limestone, pavement) and found the gearing much improved. It was able to climb my local hill easily and motor along in third in easy going. Saddle and bars were comfortable and my water bottle was handy. The newer Schwalbe Delta Cruisers felt solid and easy rolling. Perhaps "Robin in the 'Hood" will become a regular site in Port Dover this summer.
The original white plastic bar tape was replaced with a modern white "cork" type tape which looks a little thick but feels great. The lack of a bottle cage was bugging me so I resorted to the old method of the twin metal straps.
Last week I did a 30km ride on mixed surfaces (limestone, pavement) and found the gearing much improved. It was able to climb my local hill easily and motor along in third in easy going. Saddle and bars were comfortable and my water bottle was handy. The newer Schwalbe Delta Cruisers felt solid and easy rolling. Perhaps "Robin in the 'Hood" will become a regular site in Port Dover this summer.
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We are what we reflect. We are the changes that we bring to this world. Ride often. -Geo.-
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Lovely bicycle! Last year on Ebay a fellow had a very clean example for sale at a decent price but he wanted more than $200 to ship it within the states, and I couldn't bite that bullet. Pity, that. Feel free to share more photos of yours! It's really nice looking. 
-Gregory

-Gregory
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That is a beautiful Robin Hood.
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OT: is that a spitfire or a TR6 behind the lovely Robin Hood?
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The 1971 Robin Hood Sports is ready for another season. It has not been ridden much in the last couple of years. I was being a bit of a slave to originality as the bike was largely untouched since new. This winter I made a commitment to ride it more next season or part with it. To that end, the first modification was to replace the 46T to18T gearing with a new 21T found at my LBS...Last week I did a 30km ride on mixed surfaces (limestone, pavement) and found the gearing much improved. It was able to climb my local hill easily and motor along in third in easy going.
I'm a firm believer that bicycles should be ridden and enjoyed, and not remain a museum piece. 60's/70's Sports three speeds are too common to be rare, so I don't feel there's any harm in altering it in a way to make it more practical for the rider. And switching to a bigger rear cog is one of the cheapest, easiest, and most effective ways to make a three speed more enjoyable.
One question: Are those Delta Cruisers whitewall or "gumwall"? I can't tell in the pic.
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The Good:
-Complete bike
-Paint is good and will clean up
-Tall frame
-Original ribbed cables (all work well
-Plastic trigger face not cracked
-Period saddle bag attached
-Chain OK
-Brooks vinyl saddle OK
The Bad:
-Tires
-Brake pads
-Incorrect pedals
-Rims have surface rust but may polish out
-Rear hub is missing the oil port (Bolt in it's place)
My plan is to strip the bike and re-assemble. More than likely I'll pass it on to someone at cost (Bike + parts). Someone contacted me last week looking for a bike so it may go to him. He's a little put off by the colour, but I like it.
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The 1971 Robin Hood Sports is ready for another season. It has not been ridden much in the last couple of years. I was being a bit of a slave to originality as the bike was largely untouched since new. This winter I made a commitment to ride it more next season or part with it. To that end, the first modification was to replace the 46T to18T gearing with a new 21T found at my LBS. The original chain, although not stretched, was also replaced and is much smoother and quieter.
The original white plastic bar tape was replaced with a modern white "cork" type tape which looks a little thick but feels great. The lack of a bottle cage was bugging me so I resorted to the old method of the twin metal straps.
Last week I did a 30km ride on mixed surfaces (limestone, pavement) and found the gearing much improved. It was able to climb my local hill easily and motor along in third in easy going. Saddle and bars were comfortable and my water bottle was handy. The newer Schwalbe Delta Cruisers felt solid and easy rolling. Perhaps "Robin in the 'Hood" will become a regular site in Port Dover this summer.
The original white plastic bar tape was replaced with a modern white "cork" type tape which looks a little thick but feels great. The lack of a bottle cage was bugging me so I resorted to the old method of the twin metal straps.
Last week I did a 30km ride on mixed surfaces (limestone, pavement) and found the gearing much improved. It was able to climb my local hill easily and motor along in third in easy going. Saddle and bars were comfortable and my water bottle was handy. The newer Schwalbe Delta Cruisers felt solid and easy rolling. Perhaps "Robin in the 'Hood" will become a regular site in Port Dover this summer.
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A very nice Robin Hood indeed!
I'm a firm believer that bicycles should be ridden and enjoyed, and not remain a museum piece. 60's/70's Sports three speeds are too common to be rare, so I don't feel there's any harm in altering it in a way to make it more practical for the rider. And switching to a bigger rear cog is one of the cheapest, easiest, and most effective ways to make a three speed more enjoyable.
One question: Are those Delta Cruisers whitewall or "gumwall"? I can't tell in the pic.
I'm a firm believer that bicycles should be ridden and enjoyed, and not remain a museum piece. 60's/70's Sports three speeds are too common to be rare, so I don't feel there's any harm in altering it in a way to make it more practical for the rider. And switching to a bigger rear cog is one of the cheapest, easiest, and most effective ways to make a three speed more enjoyable.
One question: Are those Delta Cruisers whitewall or "gumwall"? I can't tell in the pic.
The Delta Cruisers are white walls, but it is a creamy white.
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We are what we reflect. We are the changes that we bring to this world. Ride often. -Geo.-
We are what we reflect. We are the changes that we bring to this world. Ride often. -Geo.-
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Lake Pepin 3-speed Tour coming up at the end of next week!
I don't think I'll have my 1935 Roadster quite ready by then, so its going to be the his and hers matching Humber Sports...
I don't think I'll have my 1935 Roadster quite ready by then, so its going to be the his and hers matching Humber Sports...
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-Mike
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Ours will be the black early 50s roadsters (enclosed chain).
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I still can't get over that fork... I'd love to read the design brief for that one.
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That's the one. As I understand it, the fork was designed for the Beeston-Humber trike about 1880 or slightly earlier.
1901 Beeston Humber No 27 Convertible Tricycle | The Online Bicycle Museum
1901 Beeston Humber No 27 Convertible Tricycle | The Online Bicycle Museum
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The 1971 Robin Hood Sports is ready for another season. It has not been ridden much in the last couple of years. I was being a bit of a slave to originality as the bike was largely untouched since new. This winter I made a commitment to ride it more next season or part with it. To that end, the first modification was to replace the 46T to18T gearing with a new 21T found at my LBS. The original chain, although not stretched, was also replaced and is much smoother and quieter.
The original white plastic bar tape was replaced with a modern white "cork" type tape which looks a little thick but feels great. The lack of a bottle cage was bugging me so I resorted to the old method of the twin metal straps.
Last week I did a 30km ride on mixed surfaces (limestone, pavement) and found the gearing much improved. It was able to climb my local hill easily and motor along in third in easy going. Saddle and bars were comfortable and my water bottle was handy. The newer Schwalbe Delta Cruisers felt solid and easy rolling. Perhaps "Robin in the 'Hood" will become a regular site in Port Dover this summer.
The original white plastic bar tape was replaced with a modern white "cork" type tape which looks a little thick but feels great. The lack of a bottle cage was bugging me so I resorted to the old method of the twin metal straps.
Last week I did a 30km ride on mixed surfaces (limestone, pavement) and found the gearing much improved. It was able to climb my local hill easily and motor along in third in easy going. Saddle and bars were comfortable and my water bottle was handy. The newer Schwalbe Delta Cruisers felt solid and easy rolling. Perhaps "Robin in the 'Hood" will become a regular site in Port Dover this summer.
VINTAGE ROBIN HOOD 26 INCH FENDERS SET FRONT REAR TRIUMPH RALEIGH ENGLAND NOS | eBay
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@browngw I've been scanning ebay for the right fenders for my DL-1 when I saw these. I like the look of the white fenders, but I don't remember if they are original or not. You may be interested in these.
VINTAGE ROBIN HOOD 26 INCH FENDERS SET FRONT REAR TRIUMPH RALEIGH ENGLAND NOS | eBay
VINTAGE ROBIN HOOD 26 INCH FENDERS SET FRONT REAR TRIUMPH RALEIGH ENGLAND NOS | eBay
Nice looking fenders, thanks for pointing them out to me. Although I had not seen white fenders on a RH Sports before, they appear to be original including a very well preserved decal. As a matter of fact, tires, cable,s bar tape etc. were original. Screws and fasteners on the mudguards looked liked they had never been touched since assembly. The black plastic saddle from Taiwan was likely a replacement for a better British saddle that was poached for a different bike. There was conjecture when I first got the bike that a shop in Toronto had a large number of Dunelts and Robin Hoods that were sold well into the '80s.
I've attached some pictures from a few years ago when I purchased the bike in Brantford at the Canadian Vintage Bike Show. The bike was a little dusty and the inevitable oil seepage but did not look like it had seen much use.
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We are what we reflect. We are the changes that we bring to this world. Ride often. -Geo.-
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Great to see the Robin again! Port Dover should use it as part of their advertising...