For the love of English 3 speeds...
10-01-17, 04:16 PM
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Is there some magic concoction that you all use to remove grease / grime off the frame? I don’t mind using elbow grease but my lord simple green isn’t cutting it lol
I assume actuall degreasers are too strong?
I assume actuall degreasers are too strong?
10-01-17, 04:25 PM
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With a little elbow grease, the original finish usually comes through quite well.
10-01-17, 04:56 PM
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I got some time to take the bike out for another spin. Did a few items first. Changed the bag out to the original for a comparison shot. Found some steel platform pedals that suited my knees. Did a bolt check and found some that could stand a little bit more tightening. Did a slight adjust on the shift cable, works great through multiple shifts up and down. Gearing is 46X20. While out on a ride, had a panic stop and passed that! I think I still am going to move the shifter under the bar.
It was a ride worthy of the 3 Speed challenge !
It was a ride worthy of the 3 Speed challenge !
Damn it!
10-01-17, 05:11 PM
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Hot soapy water and a rag.
WD-40 and and clean rags
Polish compounds
In that order generally.
WD-40 and and clean rags
Polish compounds
In that order generally.
10-01-17, 05:42 PM
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10-01-17, 05:44 PM
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I've heard this more and more, kinda makes me worried
10-01-17, 06:39 PM
So it goes.
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10-01-17, 07:09 PM
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I gently use a small drift on exposed edges, alternating until I can get an appropriate spanner underneath for the final rap.
10-01-17, 08:43 PM
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https://bikeshedva.blogspot.com/2017...ports-and.html
Awhile back I mentioned that Raleigh changed its drop-out mounting style over the years on the Sports/Sprite frame. I finally got a couple good pictures while cleaning and comparing two bikes: a 1970-ish Sprite and a 1958 Sports.
The 1958 Sports has round profile drops. The fork blade tubs have a round mouth, and the drop out brazed into place. Interestingly, this was a transitional era: the rear drops are NOT round mount, but are slice-n-braze type.
Above is the "slice and braze" style. This is what we usually see because we see so many 1960s-70s era Raleighs. The tube is sliced such that you have a "tongue" and the drop is brazed into place like a "sandwich" method.
This is just for the Sports/Sprite frame. Perhaps the DL-1 and export models used a different convention over the 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/
10-02-17, 08:11 AM
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Thanks for that link, I'm floored! I had a 58 sports (not a 4 speed) in the early 80's that was arguably just as nice. Also the first example Ive seen of the Sprite shift set-up unmolested.
10-02-17, 08:51 AM
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Found this 71 Sports yesterday on the Neighborhood website $25. Hasn't been out of his garage for 20 yrs. The "Raleigh N.T.L." branded tires hold air. Chrome is excellent after an hour with a toothbrush. & it rides well. Pedal pads indicate its been barely ridden. No nuts have ever had a tool placed on them. 
Last edited by johnnyspaghetti; 10-02-17 at 08:56 AM.
10-02-17, 09:04 AM
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Sirmike. The 49 and 52 drop outs that I have a different than those two. Beautiful bikes.
When restoring don't you guys look for the 26tpi nuts and bolt?
10-02-17, 12:09 PM
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I'm going to get on my soap box and put in my 2 cents about brakes on light roadsters. The extra money spent on salmon Kool Stop pads is worth every cent. They clearly out perform the cheap gray pads and even Fibrax. And if you're replacing a set of John Bulls that have been on the bike since 1974, you'll be entering a new universe of stopping power. Lately, I've been playing around customizing my Rudge scorcher. I installed a pair of Tektro R559 dual pivots mostly for the cool factor. Would I use these on a regular light roadster? NO. The combination of the Raleigh lever and the long cable housing just doesn't have enough travel to operate the Tektro properly. I was very fussy truing the side to side on these rims. They're very close. I had the pads adjusted a mouse whisker away from the rims and still, too much of the lever travel was used up before full brake. Adding the cable stops to the top tube and eliminating 18" of housing did buy me more room than I thought. The rear brake is good now, but all and all, it is a lot of extra trouble to go through for only a marginal improvement. Unless you're a scorcher and don't want all that extra weight of steel calipers slowing you down.
10-02-17, 01:19 PM
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A while back I mentioned that Raleigh changed its drop-out mounting style over the years on the Sports/Sprite frame. I finally got a couple good pictures while cleaning and comparing two bikes: a 1970-ish Sprite and a 1958 Sports.
I am wrong again. The drop out on my 52 is the slice and braze. The 49 is pressed?1002171503-00 (1).jpg
I am wrong again. The drop out on my 52 is the slice and braze. The 49 is pressed?1002171503-00 (1).jpg
10-02-17, 01:34 PM
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My problem was that the greater mechanical advantage of the dual pivot calipers used up too much travel of the rear brake lever. Using cable stops on the top tube and eliminating 18" of cable housing didn't add much, maybe a half inch of travel, but was just enough to make it work for me. The front brake with the shorter cable was OK. That was my clue that housing compression was using up lever travel that was in short supply.
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10-02-17, 01:38 PM
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So i got 3 n 1 oil and marine grease today and added some oil to the 73's hub which was a fiasco to say the least. However i realized that the 73 hub doesn't click at all when coasting, i thought it did but it instead makes that groaning sound...lol. I am gonna pull it apart and see if something is broken. What is the normal clicking on them is it the clutch?
10-02-17, 02:22 PM
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10231.jpg
10236 (1).jpgPicking these two up on Thursday. $30 each. Now with four I hope to make three. A 52 mens, a 52 ladies and A 49 mens.
10236 (1).jpgPicking these two up on Thursday. $30 each. Now with four I hope to make three. A 52 mens, a 52 ladies and A 49 mens.
10-02-17, 02:38 PM
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Attachment 583020
Attachment 583021Picking these two up on Thursday. $30 each. Now with four I hope to make three. A 52 mens, a 52 ladies and A 49 mens.
Attachment 583021Picking these two up on Thursday. $30 each. Now with four I hope to make three. A 52 mens, a 52 ladies and A 49 mens.
I had to pass on a 50's Schwinn today due to it being to expensive...
I hate Massachusetts
In other news, the 73's in now a 2 speed it seems as now i have no first gear and there is resistance when pedaling backward. Thank god i have 4 others i can salvage if need be...lol
10-02-17, 03:13 PM
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I am wrong again. The drop out on my 52 is the slice and braze. The 49 is pressed?Attachment 583012
10-02-17, 03:55 PM
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And the front dropout on my '66 men's Sports:
So that transition happened at some point 1963-66, though I wouldn't bet on consistency when it comes to Raleigh.
Last edited by nlerner; 10-02-17 at 04:07 PM.
10-02-17, 05:09 PM
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I don't know what a key hole is [new to bikes] as you can see, even though I take a lousy picture, the 49 is different from the other examples posted.
10-02-17, 05:33 PM
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And for further info on when that transition might have taken place, here's the front dropout on my '62 lady's Sports:
And the front dropout on my '66 men's Sports:
So that transition happened at some point 1963-66, though I wouldn't bet on consistency when it comes to Raleigh.
And the front dropout on my '66 men's Sports:
So that transition happened at some point 1963-66, though I wouldn't bet on consistency when it comes to Raleigh.
Untitled by David Ashe, on FlickrI was at a weird angle for the pic sorry
Last edited by Scipunk; 10-02-17 at 05:34 PM. Reason: added info
