For the love of English 3 speeds...
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Good to know you like the Kool Stops and I'm thrilled that FINALLY someone is taking a scientific approach to brake pads! I'll make do with the Fibrax units for the time being. The old pads are so worn I'm afraid they'll disintegrate at any moment and it will be metal on metal. Mind sharing your source for the correct pad holders?
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I believe it's definitely a British made bike. The UK superbe in the 1980s got a luggage rack and mudguard mounted tail light, although I've never seen one with a white safety patch. The late 70s was when they introduced the loop frame version too.
What has me curious is that it's black. Superbes are green, not black... Except I've come across one in perfect condition that was black. That was cable braked, rack and mudguard mounted light too. Usually the other coloured versions were called "Royal Roadster" at that time, not that you'll ever find it in a catalogue...
Does the front mudguard have any sign there was a flap attached? Two rivets near the bottom? Is there a fork lock? The superbe decal on the gearcase isn't right for the time. Could be a lower model tarted up a bit?
What has me curious is that it's black. Superbes are green, not black... Except I've come across one in perfect condition that was black. That was cable braked, rack and mudguard mounted light too. Usually the other coloured versions were called "Royal Roadster" at that time, not that you'll ever find it in a catalogue...
Does the front mudguard have any sign there was a flap attached? Two rivets near the bottom? Is there a fork lock? The superbe decal on the gearcase isn't right for the time. Could be a lower model tarted up a bit?
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Not English and not cheap, but a nice example of the Speedster breed in a tall size, despite what he measured. That's pretty unusual, but I know of a rougher one at the local co-op for about a tenth of the price.
https://richmond.craigslist.org/bik/...652627865.html
bicycle type: other
condition: excellent
frame size: 17.5"
make / manufacturer: Schwinn
model name / number: Speedster
serial number: DK612159
wheel size: 26 in
This 1970s Schwinn is in excellent condition and is all original. It has been completely cleaned and lubed. All bearings are in very good condition and the wheels are true. It rides and shifts smoothly. I have more photos and videos if you would like to see them.
call or text 5%4$0-9(0)8-0)7&0)4
https://richmond.craigslist.org/bik/...652627865.html
Schwinn Speedster ~1972 3-speed men - $299 (Glen Allen)
bicycle type: other
condition: excellent
frame size: 17.5"
make / manufacturer: Schwinn
model name / number: Speedster
serial number: DK612159
wheel size: 26 in
This 1970s Schwinn is in excellent condition and is all original. It has been completely cleaned and lubed. All bearings are in very good condition and the wheels are true. It rides and shifts smoothly. I have more photos and videos if you would like to see them.
call or text 5%4$0-9(0)8-0)7&0)4
and just to stay on topic, my 1966 DL-1
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When the new alternator hubs first came out, they were very expensive, while Dynohubs could still be found cheaply. So I got 2 Dynohubs for $30, built 1 into a new wheel & used it to power a modern Halogen bulbed, Lumotec headlight and SA tail light. It worked well on my commute but I also had 10 and 15 watt battery powered headlights on my bar plus cheap Nashbar red blinkies on the rear to supplement multiple reflective devices.
The DH was more for insurance against no headlight if battery or bulb failed. My hub was still working fine when I sold the bike in 2007 and I had traded the 2nd hub to a co-worker for the French bar and stem now on my Grand Jubile.
Further Dynohub info courtesy of Jobst Brandt after he added a voltage stabilizer to his Halogen light:
Speed (mph) Volts Watts Lumens
8 4.0 0.8 7.4
10 4.8 1.1 15.3
12 5.2 1.3 21.1
14 5.5 1.5 26.4
16 5.8 1.7 32.6
18 6.0 1.8 37.3
The DH was more for insurance against no headlight if battery or bulb failed. My hub was still working fine when I sold the bike in 2007 and I had traded the 2nd hub to a co-worker for the French bar and stem now on my Grand Jubile.
Further Dynohub info courtesy of Jobst Brandt after he added a voltage stabilizer to his Halogen light:
Speed (mph) Volts Watts Lumens
8 4.0 0.8 7.4
10 4.8 1.1 15.3
12 5.2 1.3 21.1
14 5.5 1.5 26.4
16 5.8 1.7 32.6
18 6.0 1.8 37.3
Last edited by ollo_ollo; 07-26-18 at 09:05 AM. Reason: Tried to fix chart spacing lost in BF posting. Oh Well!
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OK, so from the nicelite website, they claim it's essential to run the wires in parallel straight from the hub terminals. That would mean no switch. Which they claim is fine because the bulbs last for so many thousands of hours. Nobody here has mentioned totally rewiring their system this way when using LED bulbs. I have a feeling this isn't actually necessary, but like most things Dynohub related, I don't know.
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OK, so from the nicelite website, they claim it's essential to run the wires in parallel straight from the hub terminals. That would mean no switch. Which they claim is fine because the bulbs last for so many thousands of hours. Nobody here has mentioned totally rewiring their system this way when using LED bulbs. I have a feeling this isn't actually necessary, but like most things Dynohub related, I don't know.
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I was totally unaware of the loop frame light roadster until now. Nice looking bike. It's a shame they're so rare. The rear carrier is the same design as the Danish use and the chevron transfer on the seat tube is similar also. The Superbe was eliminated from the US catalog after 1975 and even the Sports lost the leather saddle. Raleigh was cost cutting like crazy by the later 70s and like you mentioned, even the white blaze on the rear mudguard was eliminated. This is a very unusual bike.
Erring on the side of this black bike being made in the UK for the European market. Why they had to customize them for each country I can't figure out, considering human beings are roughly the same shape everywhere you go.
OK, so from the nicelite website, they claim it's essential to run the wires in parallel straight from the hub terminals. That would mean no switch. Which they claim is fine because the bulbs last for so many thousands of hours. Nobody here has mentioned totally rewiring their system this way when using LED bulbs. I have a feeling this isn't actually necessary, but like most things Dynohub related, I don't know.
What they really don't want you doing is, if you're rectifying it to DC, that you try and use the frame as a ground wire, cos then you've got AC and DC banging back into each other. But if you're not doing that then they don't need wiring up any differently to an ordinary bulb. We've got the advantage with dynohubs because they don't use the frame for the circuit.
The principle of operation is that the D in LED will block the current when it's gone the other direction. Doesn't damage anything, but does throw half the power away, and so flashes. An incandescent light bulb stays hot and so still glows for the short time that AC power takes to drop and switch direction, but a LED has a very strict operating voltage and a very fast reaction time. So Flash Flash Flash Flash.
That's why the ones rated for bike bulbs have to be special, they've got a fancy miniaturized regulator in there so it can go down to 2.5V. Still flashes, but not so much. So then its a matter of making sure the power never drops below 2.5V, and for that sturmey archer accidentally solved it for us in ninteen forty whenever with those battery tubes. Little rectifier circuit in there converts the Dynohub's AC power to DC, so that it can't damage the batteries. Then the batteries are hooked to that in parallel. The magic of electrics is that if you offer a load (a light bulb, motor, etc) two sources of power, it always picks the higher voltage one. So the bulb uses the battery until the dynamo voltage is more, and then switches over automatically. (there is also a separate diode there to make sure the 6V of Dynamo power doesn't defeat the battery's 4.5V and result in 1.5V going backwards and blowing them up, but details, details...)
The practical result is you now have bike lights powered by 3 D Cells, but they last for a couple of years because 90% of the time the dynamo is doing it. You can also do one with rechargables, Raleigh used to advertise that as "Car-Type Lighting". The LED beam is very bright but doesn't extend out more than about 3 meters when aiming at the ground, just a limitation of the old headlight reflectors.
It's a little bit of a project, if you don't want your headlight flashing. The other solution is to leave the wiring alone and just ride faster.
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This a quote from this page. "Nicelite bulbs should always be wired in parallel - where each bulb is connected directly to the bicycle generator. Do not connect in series."
Starting to get a headache from this nicelite site. I think I need to leave it alone for a while.
NICELITE SUPER LED LIGHT BULBS
Starting to get a headache from this nicelite site. I think I need to leave it alone for a while.
NICELITE SUPER LED LIGHT BULBS
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Last edited by BigChief; 07-26-18 at 02:17 PM.
You gonna eat that?
I Sturmey-ized a Raleigh Marathon... the derailleur hanger got honked up and couldn't accept a derailleur any longer, so I put a wheel with a S-A 2-speed kickback hub on it. It's a bit more of a Racer than the Varsity I suppose. It's the bike in the foreground.
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The only UK superbe I've ever seen with the white bit on the mudguard was a very early one (before 1950), also had a white mudflap on the back. That one is also a mystery. In the UK market lost proper leather saddles some point in the 70s, for vinyl mattress saddles, still branded brooks. Although it was always a "while stocks last" feature anyway.
Erring on the side of this black bike being made in the UK for the European market. Why they had to customize them for each country I can't figure out, considering human beings are roughly the same shape everywhere you go.
Erring on the side of this black bike being made in the UK for the European market. Why they had to customize them for each country I can't figure out, considering human beings are roughly the same shape everywhere you go.
Advertised as a "Ladies raleigh superb [sic], 1980's." Other than being a rod brake frame, there are a number of similarities to my Superbe. Virtually identical decal layout, brazed seat stays, full chain case with stylized Superbe decal. Rolled welded mudguard stays. Looks like this one may have the modern version of a rear dynohub? And black paint but no white flash on the rear mudguard (on closer inspection perhaps a dark green?)
I wonder if mine was just the top-tier loop frame from this period? Perhaps someone got enthusiastic with the white rattle can on that mudguard? Oh, and no evidence of ever having mudflaps on my bike and the generator wire to the rear tailight is routed through the lower down tube.
Here's the photo from the auction listing:
Last edited by Lawrence_S; 07-26-18 at 06:14 PM. Reason: Additions.
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From Yesterday's Ride
It was a beautiful day down by the Saint Paul waterfront.
I rode my Super Course Sturmey-Archer conversion about 40 miles through the parks along the river. This bike draws a lot of attention whenever I stop to photograph it. Kind of like dating a super-model.
.
I rode my Super Course Sturmey-Archer conversion about 40 miles through the parks along the river. This bike draws a lot of attention whenever I stop to photograph it. Kind of like dating a super-model.
.
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From fleabay.uk: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/232859614350
Advertised as a "Ladies raleigh superb [sic], 1980's." Other than being a rod brake frame, there are a number of similarities to my Superbe. Virtually identical decal layout, brazed seat stays, full chain case with stylized Superbe decal. Rolled welded mudguard stays. Looks like this one may have the modern version of a rear dynohub? And black paint but no white flash on the rear mudguard (on closer inspection perhaps a dark green?)
I wonder if mine was just the top-tier loop frame from this period? Perhaps someone got enthusiastic with the white rattle can on that mudguard? Oh, and no evidence of ever having mudflaps on my bike and the generator wire to the rear tailight is routed through the lower down tube.
Here's the photo from the auction listing:
Advertised as a "Ladies raleigh superb [sic], 1980's." Other than being a rod brake frame, there are a number of similarities to my Superbe. Virtually identical decal layout, brazed seat stays, full chain case with stylized Superbe decal. Rolled welded mudguard stays. Looks like this one may have the modern version of a rear dynohub? And black paint but no white flash on the rear mudguard (on closer inspection perhaps a dark green?)
I wonder if mine was just the top-tier loop frame from this period? Perhaps someone got enthusiastic with the white rattle can on that mudguard? Oh, and no evidence of ever having mudflaps on my bike and the generator wire to the rear tailight is routed through the lower down tube.
Here's the photo from the auction listing:
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I've seen many pics of Danish and Dutch bikes with the rear wheel slide lock, which mine has. My downtube/seat tube decals (or I should say what's left of them) are identical to the fleabay bike. Too many coincidences to be ignored? I am finding more of these loop frames by perusing fleabay.uk. Most are identified as 1980's vintage.
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Visiting old friends...
Lost my storage space last year. Haven’t seen these for awhile. The missing brooks seats are back at my shop being “restored”.
Too many road bike projects started to do these, but I do need to get my rider Superb home. I’ll slot these in as time allows, or I get scorcher fever!
My first tourists, too! New tires and tubes are back at the shop.
These things are not easy to move!
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What a nice collection of British steel you got there! Personally, I'd get to one of the DL-1s pretty quick. Life is better when you have one of those big bad boy roadsters ready to roll when the mood strikes. Nothing else like em.
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This a quote from this page. "Nicelite bulbs should always be wired in parallel - where each bulb is connected directly to the bicycle generator. Do not connect in series."
Starting to get a headache from this nicelite site. I think I need to leave it alone for a while.
NICELITE SUPER LED LIGHT BULBS
Starting to get a headache from this nicelite site. I think I need to leave it alone for a while.
NICELITE SUPER LED LIGHT BULBS
From fleabay.uk: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/232859614350
Advertised as a "Ladies raleigh superb [sic], 1980's." Other than being a rod brake frame, there are a number of similarities to my Superbe. Virtually identical decal layout, brazed seat stays, full chain case with stylized Superbe decal. Rolled welded mudguard stays. Looks like this one may have the modern version of a rear dynohub? And black paint but no white flash on the rear mudguard (on closer inspection perhaps a dark green?)
I wonder if mine was just the top-tier loop frame from this period? Perhaps someone got enthusiastic with the white rattle can on that mudguard? Oh, and no evidence of ever having mudflaps on my bike and the generator wire to the rear tailight is routed through the lower down tube.
Here's the photo from the auction listing:
Advertised as a "Ladies raleigh superb [sic], 1980's." Other than being a rod brake frame, there are a number of similarities to my Superbe. Virtually identical decal layout, brazed seat stays, full chain case with stylized Superbe decal. Rolled welded mudguard stays. Looks like this one may have the modern version of a rear dynohub? And black paint but no white flash on the rear mudguard (on closer inspection perhaps a dark green?)
I wonder if mine was just the top-tier loop frame from this period? Perhaps someone got enthusiastic with the white rattle can on that mudguard? Oh, and no evidence of ever having mudflaps on my bike and the generator wire to the rear tailight is routed through the lower down tube.
Here's the photo from the auction listing:
The UK market bikes went through very very few changes over the decades and most of the ones that did were temporary and reverted. With the exception of the lug pattern being a bit fancier (changed early 60s), the useless rectangular headlight (1979), the decals (once a decade), and the looped crossbar, it is exactly the same as they were at the beginning.
Fixed stays don't mean anything. All 26" Raleighs after WWII have them. Conversely all 28" Raleigh stays are bolted because they were only kept on to market for the police, who only recruited very tall people, so it's still with the ancient 100+ year old design.
Totally run of the mill thing this. Only interesting part is it's still got the saddlebag. Those always vanish.
The connection is they're both made in England but one is changed with a tyre dynamo and worse paint for export Probably there is some regulations in Holland, denmark or wherever that says you must have 3W lighting power and a white flash on it's arse. I know germany was like that.
Last edited by Cute Boy Horse; 07-26-18 at 08:43 PM.
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This loop frame light roadster is super rare on this side of the pond. In all my years of fixing old 3 speeds, I have never seen one. Loop frames here are always either ancient pre war bikes or the ladies DL-1L usually from the 70s.
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Just can't get over how stunning this super mode....uhm....Sturmeyfied Super Course is! Something to aspire to.
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I guess I'll have to connect the brakeshoes to the old plate, or do you (or somebody else) have a better idea?
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I always thought that if both bulbs share poles on the switch it would be considered series from the switch onward and that parallel would be two separate wires through the whole system. Perhaps I'm wrong. I have a learning curve to go through here.
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Last edited by BigChief; 07-27-18 at 05:32 AM.
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Interesting Raleigh Built Glider
Seller says 1967, located in Hamilton. Asking price $168.00 (CDN)
Seller says 1967, located in Hamilton. Asking price $168.00 (CDN)
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Another Interesting Bike On Kijiji
This one popped up today in Hamilton and I'm 99.9% sure it's my old Supercycle CCM 3 Speed that I sold to a guy I worked with 5/6 years ago.
Originally, it had a very nice 3 stage green paint with a silver undercoat.
I rode this one quite hard for a couple of years. A good work/city bike but decided to sell as I wanted to focus on British built bikes.
The transformation from green to red found here:
https://threespeedmania.wordpress.co...an-old-friend/
This one popped up today in Hamilton and I'm 99.9% sure it's my old Supercycle CCM 3 Speed that I sold to a guy I worked with 5/6 years ago.
Originally, it had a very nice 3 stage green paint with a silver undercoat.
I rode this one quite hard for a couple of years. A good work/city bike but decided to sell as I wanted to focus on British built bikes.
The transformation from green to red found here:
https://threespeedmania.wordpress.co...an-old-friend/
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Short ride this morning. Diddn't last long.Already getting hot and humid out there. Happy to report that I like these scientific Fibrax brake pads. I don't notice a difference between these and the Kool Stops. Nice looking, higher quality plating on the steel parts too. I'd say these are a very credible alternative to Kool Stops if you want a more traditional look. They're stamped "STEEL" on the side. I assume they're meant for steel rims. Glad I tried them.
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