For the love of English 3 speeds...
06-23-18, 10:19 PM
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Don't confuse the 26 x 1 1/4 'Sprints' with proper Sprint rims, which are 700c size and used for track pruposes. The former were a club bike size, almost always for sporting road riding.
England made more 28 inch rims than you think.
I've posted this Dunlop chart often but it's useful to compare the different Canadian sizes with the range of English standards. Just looking at the 'To Fit Rim' column for reference, the 77.0 inch bead is an F13 rim which is the equivalent to a 700c. There are 4 British sizes larger than that, the normal 27 inch (K2) and the 635 mm roadster (F10). That leaves two other larger Endrick narrow rims, the EA2 and EA4, one of which is 647 mm. I have one mounted on a rim from the 1930's. Too bad it's now petrified rubber.
England made more 28 inch rims than you think.
I've posted this Dunlop chart often but it's useful to compare the different Canadian sizes with the range of English standards. Just looking at the 'To Fit Rim' column for reference, the 77.0 inch bead is an F13 rim which is the equivalent to a 700c. There are 4 British sizes larger than that, the normal 27 inch (K2) and the 635 mm roadster (F10). That leaves two other larger Endrick narrow rims, the EA2 and EA4, one of which is 647 mm. I have one mounted on a rim from the 1930's. Too bad it's now petrified rubber.
I understand the logic behind the bigger Ds for roadsters but I can't fathom why a 30-40 mm wide wagon wheel tire on a pencil-stayed, dropped-bar lightweight racing bike. The wide tire simply won't fit as the clearance where the chain-stays and the bottom bracket come together is too narrow (I guess). Obviously they must have made 25 -30 mm (1 - 1 1/4 inch) wide tires at 28 inch (635mm).
06-24-18, 04:46 AM
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Have a new project, though it is on the back burner. Is anyone familiar with Phillips Birmingham serial numbers? I am thinking this is a 1930s-era bike.
This bike has a single speed hub with no date code, and a fat barrel front hub (again with no date code). Serial number is on the top of the bottom bracket and has gothic type numbers. Has no headbadge, but instead has a Phillips Birmingham transfer. Fork has a transfers Phillips "Guaranteed All British Fork". Partially plated, partially black-out parts. "Phillips" spelled-out on the chainring. Heavy-duty, very plain lugs with no embellishment at all (square cut ends). Rear drop stand and rack are a single integral part bolt to the back axle. Gallows seat post; side-mounted rod for rear brakes; missing a pump peg but the one that's left is a spring-loaded thing.
Sorry I don't have complete pictures - project is in pieces in my shed.
I do have one picture from the seller of this bike all together:
Closer pics:
This bike has a single speed hub with no date code, and a fat barrel front hub (again with no date code). Serial number is on the top of the bottom bracket and has gothic type numbers. Has no headbadge, but instead has a Phillips Birmingham transfer. Fork has a transfers Phillips "Guaranteed All British Fork". Partially plated, partially black-out parts. "Phillips" spelled-out on the chainring. Heavy-duty, very plain lugs with no embellishment at all (square cut ends). Rear drop stand and rack are a single integral part bolt to the back axle. Gallows seat post; side-mounted rod for rear brakes; missing a pump peg but the one that's left is a spring-loaded thing.
Sorry I don't have complete pictures - project is in pieces in my shed.
I do have one picture from the seller of this bike all together:
Closer pics:
VCC 1939 Phillips Catalog
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06-24-18, 05:53 AM
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1962 Raleigh Superbe w/ key.
For sale here in Toronto @ $280.
Not for me...
For sale here in Toronto @ $280.
Not for me...
06-24-18, 06:15 AM
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The bolt on seatstay suggests early 1930s rather than later 1930s. The bolt-on was an expensive design and even the top of the range Sunbeam had gone fully braised lugs by the late 1930s owing to the cost and lesser rigidity. The seat and one speed also suggests an older model.
A historical aside was the Phillips was the basic design of the Chicom copy the Viet Mihn /Viet Cong/PAVN deployed as their logistic workhorse.They regularly carried 150 kgs of supplies for months on end from Hanoi to the Delta
They were reinforced with struts on the front forks and across the frame triangle so as to take enormous loads.
.
A historical aside was the Phillips was the basic design of the Chicom copy the Viet Mihn /Viet Cong/PAVN deployed as their logistic workhorse.They regularly carried 150 kgs of supplies for months on end from Hanoi to the Delta
They were reinforced with struts on the front forks and across the frame triangle so as to take enormous loads.
.
06-24-18, 10:03 AM
Bikes are okay, I guess.
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Excessive bearing play can be adjusted out, as with most hubs. That's a coaster brake 3-speed; not my favorite Sturmey hub but that's just my own preference
06-24-18, 10:39 AM
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i went home and pay careful attention to the stem position relative to my knees on my modern road bike.
and this relative position is actually similar to this red Raleigh Sport that I test rode.
so maybe the sizing of this Sport is fine for me. After sleeping on it, i really like the nimble feel.
I had a large Dutch bike, and at low speed, it is like a drunken sailor.
But this Sport felt much better, comparison. i wonder if it is due to the smaller 26 wheel of this Sport.
another thing is the 3speed hub. i detect some looseness. i hold the rim, and wiggle it left and right...there was some freeplay. is this mean the hub needs replacement?
The frame is in great shape...no sign of rust anywhere. the paint is great...but there is no shine, completely dull.
is this normal for paint to loose the shine ?
there was only tiny speckle of brown spot on the chrome bits.
thr seller wants $100. what do you think...worth it? or keep looking?
A lot of inexperienced mechanics tighten them up to the point of causing serious internal damage.
Case in point:
A serious mangled sun gear due to over tightening..
A healthy one below.
$100.00 sounds good and often old paint can be buffed or leave as is.
06-24-18, 11:44 AM
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i went home and pay careful attention to the stem position relative to my knees on my modern road bike.
and this relative position is actually similar to this red Raleigh Sport that I test rode.
so maybe the sizing of this Sport is fine for me. After sleeping on it, i really like the nimble feel.
I had a large Dutch bike, and at low speed, it is like a drunken sailor.
But this Sport felt much better, comparison. i wonder if it is due to the smaller 26 wheel of this Sport.
another thing is the 3speed hub. i detect some looseness. i hold the rim, and wiggle it left and right...there was some freeplay. is this mean the hub needs replacement?
The frame is in great shape...no sign of rust anywhere. the paint is great...but there is no shine, completely dull.
is this normal for paint to loose the shine ?
there was only tiny speckle of brown spot on the chrome bits.
thr seller wants $100. what do you think...worth it? or keep looking?
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06-24-18, 12:15 PM
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That's something different. I like it, but I am safely a long distance and an international border safe from it. Is it a smaller bike, 19 1/2" or something? Looks kind of like a Colt with the key and Dynohub added to make it a Superbe. Truly a Super Bee. Wonder if it was a Canadian market model or for all of N.A.
06-24-18, 12:19 PM
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Well, I'm not an unbiased opinion. The red bike may be perfectly fine, but in my mind only English made roadsters are the real deal. Even then, I prefer them from the mid 60s or earlier. But like I say, this is only opinion, but I would seek out a British model with a Sturmey Archer AW hub (non coaster brake) 3 speed. There's plenty around.
06-24-18, 01:34 PM
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I'm selling two 3-speeds that I've blogged about on the Bike Shed Blog, here in the northern Virginia area: the maroon Schwinn New World 3-speed and a ladies black New World 3-speed. Check the sales forum or message me if you're interested.
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Classic American and British Roadsters, Utility Bikes, and Sporting Bikes (1935-1979):
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Classic American and British Roadsters, Utility Bikes, and Sporting Bikes (1935-1979):
https://bikeshedva.blogspot.com/
Last edited by SirMike1983; 06-24-18 at 01:39 PM.
06-24-18, 04:04 PM
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That's something different. I like it, but I am safely a long distance and an international border safe from it. Is it a smaller bike, 19 1/2" or something? Looks kind of like a Colt with the key and Dynohub added to make it a Superbe. Truly a Super Bee. Wonder if it was a Canadian market model or for all of N.A.
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06-24-18, 06:44 PM
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just wanted to say, i took a trip to minneapolis this weekend and met "johnny spagetti" aka bill and his significant other. 2 very cool people who live in an amazing house in a cool neighborhood. also bill is a wizard with his old bikes. beautiful stuff!
06-25-18, 03:37 AM
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06-25-18, 05:38 AM
Bikes are okay, I guess.
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This one showed up this weekend. Nothing special and it looks like the the fit has been customized.
https://richmond.craigslist.org/bik/...625373685.html
Vintage Bicycle 21" - $90 (Carytown)
condition: good
make / manufacturer: Royal
Vintage English bicycle
Brand: Royal
single speed - 21" frame
Let us know if you are interested.
Thank you and have a nice day!
https://richmond.craigslist.org/bik/...625373685.html
Vintage Bicycle 21" - $90 (Carytown)
condition: good
make / manufacturer: Royal
Vintage English bicycle
Brand: Royal
single speed - 21" frame
Let us know if you are interested.
Thank you and have a nice day!
06-25-18, 09:28 AM
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I bought the red Raliegh Sport home. It can barely make out the label on the frame with the word Taiwan underneath a cable clamp.
The wheel size is 26x1-3/8 (590mm).
The hub is AWC 3 speed with coaster braking.
The AWC hub looks very dirty with grease oozing out. Should I try to take it apart and clean it up?
I have never open up a 3 speed hub before.
So, where do I find NOS AW hubs?
The wheel size is 26x1-3/8 (590mm).
The hub is AWC 3 speed with coaster braking.
The AWC hub looks very dirty with grease oozing out. Should I try to take it apart and clean it up?
I have never open up a 3 speed hub before.
So, where do I find NOS AW hubs?
06-25-18, 11:31 AM
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The hub may not need anything beyond a few drops of oil. These tend to be very reliable hubs. 95% of the time, shifting problems can be corrected with a simple cable adjustment. Before, you mentioned wheel bearing play in the rear wheel. With the wheel tightened in the frame, you do want to feel some play as you shake the rim. If you feel the play is excessive, adjust the cone on the left side.
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Last edited by BigChief; 06-25-18 at 11:34 AM.
06-25-18, 12:31 PM
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I bought the red Raliegh Sport home. I can barely make out the label on the frame with the word Taiwan underneath a cable clamp.
The wheel size is 26x1-3/8 .
The hub is AWC 3 speed with coaster braking.
The AWC hub looks very dirty with grease oozing out. Should I try to take it apart and clean it up?
I have never open up a 3 speed hub before.
So, where do I find NOS AW hubs?
The wheel size is 26x1-3/8 .
The hub is AWC 3 speed with coaster braking.
The AWC hub looks very dirty with grease oozing out. Should I try to take it apart and clean it up?
I have never open up a 3 speed hub before.
So, where do I find NOS AW hubs?
06-25-18, 02:06 PM
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I don't know. This is what SJS says about the AW3 hubs:
"1980's Sturmey Archer AW3 3 speed freewheel hub. NOS = New old stock. Please note that these hubs may feature dents and/or scratches. Although this may affect the product cosmetically, it does not affect the performance, hence the bargain price. "
"1980's Sturmey Archer AW3 3 speed freewheel hub. NOS = New old stock. Please note that these hubs may feature dents and/or scratches. Although this may affect the product cosmetically, it does not affect the performance, hence the bargain price. "
06-25-18, 05:29 PM
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Here's the page in question https://www.sjscycles.co.uk/hubs-int...r-28-hole-nos/
They do look to be genuinely NOS, colour me surprised as they also have brand new ones in stock. They've also a few other NOS bits like 80s rectangular dynohub headlights. Don't buy one of those though, they're crap.
They do look to be genuinely NOS, colour me surprised as they also have brand new ones in stock. They've also a few other NOS bits like 80s rectangular dynohub headlights. Don't buy one of those though, they're crap.
06-25-18, 05:44 PM
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Well the ratios are 0.75, 1, and 1.33 no matter what, so it all depends on your Chainring and rear sprocket. i ballparked 46/18 and got 36, 48, and 64 gear inches. approximately of course, i can't be bothered copy pasting the entire figure. have a play around with sheldon's gear calculator and see what you like.
06-25-18, 06:56 PM
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This hub shifts fine on all 3 speeds. But I hear clicking noise when pedaling.
Chain is bone dry. Not sure if the noise is from the hub or the chain. I will stop by the bike store for a new chain tonight.
I don't see any way to add oil into this hub. Is this hub run on grease instead of oil?
Chain is bone dry. Not sure if the noise is from the hub or the chain. I will stop by the bike store for a new chain tonight.
I don't see any way to add oil into this hub. Is this hub run on grease instead of oil?
06-25-18, 06:58 PM
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Here's the page in question https://www.sjscycles.co.uk/hubs-int...r-28-hole-nos/
They do look to be genuinely NOS, colour me surprised as they also have brand new ones in stock. They've also a few other NOS bits like 80s rectangular dynohub headlights. Don't buy one of those though, they're crap.
They do look to be genuinely NOS, colour me surprised as they also have brand new ones in stock. They've also a few other NOS bits like 80s rectangular dynohub headlights. Don't buy one of those though, they're crap.
NOS 1953
I've got 3 of these....
06-25-18, 08:12 PM
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Wow! What a great find. I came up with a couple early unused 3 or 4 speed shifters and guide wheels a while ago at an estate auction, but no sign of the hubs. In truth, AW hubs are tanks. NOS is great, but most used ones you find are more than serviceable. A good clean up and new bearings is all they need.
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06-25-18, 09:16 PM
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The maroon New World is so nice!
