For the love of English 3 speeds...
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2015
Posts: 3,240
Mentioned: 103 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1299 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 98 Times
in
82 Posts
Started the tear down on the '74 Sports today. It shifts through the gears on the stand even without any lube on the cable or shifter. The chain has many stiff links as well so it goes into a mineral spirits bath before I even bother to check for stretch.
The cotters pressed out without a hitch, cranks came off easily. I'll let some penetrating oil work on the cups before I attempt to remove them and see what shape the spindle is in. Feels dry as a bone.
The rear fender appears to have a broken tab or missing hardware, as there was a zip tie holding it to the chain stay bridge, looks like a P-clamp could fix that when I reassemble. One of the screws on the front fender was stuck tight so I put some penetrant on it and called it a night.
This bike has the original tires on it. Raleigh branded with a 74 in a circle molded in the sides. Judging by the tread wear I'd say it's got pretty low miles on it.
The cotters pressed out without a hitch, cranks came off easily. I'll let some penetrating oil work on the cups before I attempt to remove them and see what shape the spindle is in. Feels dry as a bone.
The rear fender appears to have a broken tab or missing hardware, as there was a zip tie holding it to the chain stay bridge, looks like a P-clamp could fix that when I reassemble. One of the screws on the front fender was stuck tight so I put some penetrant on it and called it a night.
This bike has the original tires on it. Raleigh branded with a 74 in a circle molded in the sides. Judging by the tread wear I'd say it's got pretty low miles on it.
__________________
Inflate Hard
Inflate Hard
Last edited by BigChief; 12-15-19 at 06:54 AM.
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Toronto
Posts: 2,562
Bikes: 1971 Hercules, 1978 Raleigh Superbe, 1978 Raleigh Tourist, 1964 Glider 3 Speed, 1967 Raleigh Sprite 5 Speed, 1968 Hercules AMF 3 Speed, 1972 Raleigh Superbe, 1976 Raleigh Superbe, 1957 Flying Pigeon, 1967 Dunelt 3 Speed
Mentioned: 57 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1026 Post(s)
Liked 407 Times
in
279 Posts
Glad to hear that cotter pressed out. I was expecting you to have to go to plan B on that one. The rear mudguard had a small clip that attached it to the bridge. The drive side bottom bracket cup is a bear to remove. It's easy to service without taking it off. I just reach in with a stick and rag soaked in solvent to clean it. On a 70s Sports, you will either find 11 1/4" loose bearings on each side or 7 bearings in plastic cages. Personally, I think it makes more sense to use the greater number of bearings since the BB get so much stress on it, so I use loose bearings. When putting it back together, the grease will hold the 11 bearings in place on the spindle as you thread it through the still in place drive side cup. If you want to remove the DS cup, remember that it is a left hand thread. Bikesmith sells a tool that makes the job much easier. edit: another trouble saving tip is to buy new cotters with the proper Raleigh taper cut from Bikesmith. Bicycle Crank Cotters
I agree on loose, a bit harder to install but well worth the effort.
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Central Indiana
Posts: 2,201
Bikes: Old Stuff
Mentioned: 27 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 911 Post(s)
Liked 509 Times
in
341 Posts
Glad to hear that cotter pressed out. I was expecting you to have to go to plan B on that one. The rear mudguard had a small clip that attached it to the bridge. The drive side bottom bracket cup is a bear to remove. It's easy to service without taking it off. I just reach in with a stick and rag soaked in solvent to clean it. On a 70s Sports, you will either find 11 1/4" loose bearings on each side or 7 bearings in plastic cages. Personally, I think it makes more sense to use the greater number of bearings since the BB get so much stress on it, so I use loose bearings. When putting it back together, the grease will hold the 11 bearings in place on the spindle as you thread it through the still in place drive side cup. If you want to remove the DS cup, remember that it is a left hand thread. Bikesmith sells a tool that makes the job much easier. edit: another trouble saving tip is to buy new cotters with the proper Raleigh taper cut from Bikesmith. Bicycle Crank Cotters

OK I see that fender clip now. Looks like it's designed for quick assembly but very easy to lose after the fact. Here's a pic of one on ebay.

I think I'll use one these P clips readily available at the local hardware.

I have that cup tool as well. It fits on both sides on this particular bike. I'll take this fixed cup out so I can get some proper anti-seize in there since it is possible it has never been removed since leaving the factory and who knows what they used on it if anything. First I'll address the stuck screw on the fork eyelet and let the spindle soak. Normally when I get a new/old bike the first thing I do is totally strip the frame and put all the loose parts in a bucket to deal with later. I'm going to take my time with this one as it has to last all winter. Seems it's going to need little in the way of repair/replace.
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2015
Posts: 3,240
Mentioned: 103 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1299 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 98 Times
in
82 Posts
Oh, that's great. I didn't know you already had all those good tools. Bikesmith has sure made my life with old 3 speeds better. I used to use an awkward clamp on bench vise and wrench socket to press cotters. I also spent hours filing modern cotters trying to get a good fit while getting a proper 180 degree spread of the crank arms at the same time. Even after all that work, I still ended up with cheap, crappy cotters. Now I'm on easy street with Mark's cotters. They press right in, come right out again when I want them to and the crank lines up perfectly every time.
__________________
Inflate Hard
Inflate Hard
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2015
Posts: 3,240
Mentioned: 103 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1299 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 98 Times
in
82 Posts
That looks like a perfect clip for the mudguard. There's one other thing about these bottom brackets. At least it's something I've had to deal with mostly on later models and this can even happen on the adjustable cup. Most of the time, the cups will back out smoothly. The last half inch or so will back out by hand. But sometimes they are crabby and stiff backing out right to the very end. I clean up the threads with a brass brush and oil them, but still, they can be very stiff. Just too tight a fit. This makes it really hard to feel when the threads are properly engaging when you reassemble. The threads are fine and you sure don't want to cross thread them, but at some point you just have to trust to fate and start cranking the cup back in. I think it's a quality control issue. Raleigh seemed to have more of those as time went on.
__________________
Inflate Hard
Inflate Hard
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Ontario
Posts: 2,602
Mentioned: 15 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 451 Post(s)
Liked 566 Times
in
301 Posts
I usually fill the DS cup with grease and put the loose bearings in, then slide the spindle in place. You can get a lot of grease in from the no DS side and smoosh it around through the spindle hole.
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Toronto
Posts: 2,562
Bikes: 1971 Hercules, 1978 Raleigh Superbe, 1978 Raleigh Tourist, 1964 Glider 3 Speed, 1967 Raleigh Sprite 5 Speed, 1968 Hercules AMF 3 Speed, 1972 Raleigh Superbe, 1976 Raleigh Superbe, 1957 Flying Pigeon, 1967 Dunelt 3 Speed
Mentioned: 57 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1026 Post(s)
Liked 407 Times
in
279 Posts
+1 That massive press from Bikesmith shoved that cotter right out without hesitation. It came out the bottom straightened out. Here is the crank after cleaning.

OK I see that fender clip now. Looks like it's designed for quick assembly but very easy to lose after the fact. Here's a pic of one on ebay.

I think I'll use one these P clips readily available at the local hardware.

I have that cup tool as well. It fits on both sides on this particular bike. I'll take this fixed cup out so I can get some proper anti-seize in there since it is possible it has never been removed since leaving the factory and who knows what they used on it if anything. First I'll address the stuck screw on the fork eyelet and let the spindle soak. Normally when I get a new/old bike the first thing I do is totally strip the frame and put all the loose parts in a bucket to deal with later. I'm going to take my time with this one as it has to last all winter. Seems it's going to need little in the way of repair/replace.

OK I see that fender clip now. Looks like it's designed for quick assembly but very easy to lose after the fact. Here's a pic of one on ebay.

I think I'll use one these P clips readily available at the local hardware.

I have that cup tool as well. It fits on both sides on this particular bike. I'll take this fixed cup out so I can get some proper anti-seize in there since it is possible it has never been removed since leaving the factory and who knows what they used on it if anything. First I'll address the stuck screw on the fork eyelet and let the spindle soak. Normally when I get a new/old bike the first thing I do is totally strip the frame and put all the loose parts in a bucket to deal with later. I'm going to take my time with this one as it has to last all winter. Seems it's going to need little in the way of repair/replace.
It's annoying.
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Toronto
Posts: 2,562
Bikes: 1971 Hercules, 1978 Raleigh Superbe, 1978 Raleigh Tourist, 1964 Glider 3 Speed, 1967 Raleigh Sprite 5 Speed, 1968 Hercules AMF 3 Speed, 1972 Raleigh Superbe, 1976 Raleigh Superbe, 1957 Flying Pigeon, 1967 Dunelt 3 Speed
Mentioned: 57 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1026 Post(s)
Liked 407 Times
in
279 Posts
I would leave that to a trained "Smoosher".
Most start off as Apprentice Smooshers and after 4 years (or more) graduate to
Master Smooshers, with all rights and privileges bestowed in a somewhat secret ritual.
I've probably said too much as is.
In Germany they're called "Schmoozers" which is essentially the same position
but the uniform is more ornate.

"My name is Hans, may I schmooz your spindle?"
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Ontario
Posts: 2,602
Mentioned: 15 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 451 Post(s)
Liked 566 Times
in
301 Posts
Shhhhhh - don’t give away all zee secrets...
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Central Indiana
Posts: 2,201
Bikes: Old Stuff
Mentioned: 27 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 911 Post(s)
Liked 509 Times
in
341 Posts
That looks like a perfect clip for the mudguard. There's one other thing about these bottom brackets. At least it's something I've had to deal with mostly on later models and this can even happen on the adjustable cup. Most of the time, the cups will back out smoothly. The last half inch or so will back out by hand. But sometimes they are crabby and stiff backing out right to the very end. I clean up the threads with a brass brush and oil them, but still, they can be very stiff. Just too tight a fit. This makes it really hard to feel when the threads are properly engaging when you reassemble. The threads are fine and you sure don't want to cross thread them, but at some point you just have to trust to fate and start cranking the cup back in. I think it's a quality control issue. Raleigh seemed to have more of those as time went on.

I put it outside. It doesn't need to spend the winter in my basement.
Likes For FBOATSB:
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Toronto
Posts: 2,562
Bikes: 1971 Hercules, 1978 Raleigh Superbe, 1978 Raleigh Tourist, 1964 Glider 3 Speed, 1967 Raleigh Sprite 5 Speed, 1968 Hercules AMF 3 Speed, 1972 Raleigh Superbe, 1976 Raleigh Superbe, 1957 Flying Pigeon, 1967 Dunelt 3 Speed
Mentioned: 57 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1026 Post(s)
Liked 407 Times
in
279 Posts

Phyllo-buster
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Nova Scotia
Posts: 8,783
Bikes: roadsters, club bikes, fixed and classic
Mentioned: 131 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2269 Post(s)
Liked 1,967 Times
in
1,216 Posts
Full Member
39 Elswick
I am working on a ?1939? Elswick 26 inch roadster. It has an undated ab hub with a rod operated drum brake. Anyone have any experience with drum brakes. Can you buy new shoes? How should they be adjusted?
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Toronto
Posts: 2,562
Bikes: 1971 Hercules, 1978 Raleigh Superbe, 1978 Raleigh Tourist, 1964 Glider 3 Speed, 1967 Raleigh Sprite 5 Speed, 1968 Hercules AMF 3 Speed, 1972 Raleigh Superbe, 1976 Raleigh Superbe, 1957 Flying Pigeon, 1967 Dunelt 3 Speed
Mentioned: 57 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1026 Post(s)
Liked 407 Times
in
279 Posts
“As a kid I had a dream – I wanted to own my own bicycle. When I got the bike I must have been the happiest boy in Liverpool, maybe the world. I lived for that bike. Most kids left their bike in the backyard at night. Not me. I insisted on taking mine indoors and the first night I even kept it in my bed.”
-John Lennon
-John Lennon

Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Toronto
Posts: 2,562
Bikes: 1971 Hercules, 1978 Raleigh Superbe, 1978 Raleigh Tourist, 1964 Glider 3 Speed, 1967 Raleigh Sprite 5 Speed, 1968 Hercules AMF 3 Speed, 1972 Raleigh Superbe, 1976 Raleigh Superbe, 1957 Flying Pigeon, 1967 Dunelt 3 Speed
Mentioned: 57 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1026 Post(s)
Liked 407 Times
in
279 Posts
John's first bike was a Raleigh Lenton Mark 11



Likes For gster:
Phyllo-buster
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Nova Scotia
Posts: 8,783
Bikes: roadsters, club bikes, fixed and classic
Mentioned: 131 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2269 Post(s)
Liked 1,967 Times
in
1,216 Posts
You'll find we need no excuses to post photos that even smell of Brit bikes.
gster, great pics, is that his bike restored?
Last edited by clubman; 12-16-19 at 07:08 PM.
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Toronto
Posts: 2,562
Bikes: 1971 Hercules, 1978 Raleigh Superbe, 1978 Raleigh Tourist, 1964 Glider 3 Speed, 1967 Raleigh Sprite 5 Speed, 1968 Hercules AMF 3 Speed, 1972 Raleigh Superbe, 1976 Raleigh Superbe, 1957 Flying Pigeon, 1967 Dunelt 3 Speed
Mentioned: 57 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1026 Post(s)
Liked 407 Times
in
279 Posts
Everything after the original Beetle picture was John.
You'll find we need no excuses to post photos that even smell of Brit bikes.
gster, great pics, is that his bike restored?
You'll find we need no excuses to post photos that even smell of Brit bikes.
gster, great pics, is that his bike restored?
Similar bike at his childhood home in Liverpool.
Part of the museum.
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Toronto
Posts: 2,562
Bikes: 1971 Hercules, 1978 Raleigh Superbe, 1978 Raleigh Tourist, 1964 Glider 3 Speed, 1967 Raleigh Sprite 5 Speed, 1968 Hercules AMF 3 Speed, 1972 Raleigh Superbe, 1976 Raleigh Superbe, 1957 Flying Pigeon, 1967 Dunelt 3 Speed
Mentioned: 57 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1026 Post(s)
Liked 407 Times
in
279 Posts
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2015
Posts: 3,240
Mentioned: 103 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1299 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 98 Times
in
82 Posts
Smooshing sounds like a highly technical and complicated procedure.
I would leave that to a trained "Smoosher".
Most start off as Apprentice Smooshers and after 4 years (or more) graduate to
Master Smooshers, with all rights and privileges bestowed in a somewhat secret ritual.
I've probably said too much as is.
In Germany they're called "Schmoozers" which is essentially the same position
but the uniform is more ornate.

"My name is Hans, may I schmooz your spindle?"
I would leave that to a trained "Smoosher".
Most start off as Apprentice Smooshers and after 4 years (or more) graduate to
Master Smooshers, with all rights and privileges bestowed in a somewhat secret ritual.
I've probably said too much as is.
In Germany they're called "Schmoozers" which is essentially the same position
but the uniform is more ornate.

"My name is Hans, may I schmooz your spindle?"
__________________
Inflate Hard
Inflate Hard
Likes For BigChief:
Full Member
Banned
Hello!
Newbie just found this thread. Glorious! Not sure about the glory of the mustache, but never mind.
I have some posts up about Sturmey 3-speed hubs. I hope to become an expert by the time I've stripped and cleaned and inspected eight or nine of them.
When I was a kid, I hated bikes with Sturmey Archer gearing. The big boys in my area had bikes with Campagnolo deerayllieuers and levers, and I was corrupted. Now, I know better. I can hold Sturmey steel in my hand, and feel it's value.
Merry Christmas!
Newbie just found this thread. Glorious! Not sure about the glory of the mustache, but never mind.
I have some posts up about Sturmey 3-speed hubs. I hope to become an expert by the time I've stripped and cleaned and inspected eight or nine of them.
When I was a kid, I hated bikes with Sturmey Archer gearing. The big boys in my area had bikes with Campagnolo deerayllieuers and levers, and I was corrupted. Now, I know better. I can hold Sturmey steel in my hand, and feel it's value.
Merry Christmas!
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2015
Posts: 3,240
Mentioned: 103 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1299 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 98 Times
in
82 Posts
Hello!
Newbie just found this thread. Glorious! Not sure about the glory of the mustache, but never mind.
I have some posts up about Sturmey 3-speed hubs. I hope to become an expert by the time I've stripped and cleaned and inspected eight or nine of them.
When I was a kid, I hated bikes with Sturmey Archer gearing. The big boys in my area had bikes with Campagnolo deerayllieuers and levers, and I was corrupted. Now, I know better. I can hold Sturmey steel in my hand, and feel it's value.
Merry Christmas!
Newbie just found this thread. Glorious! Not sure about the glory of the mustache, but never mind.
I have some posts up about Sturmey 3-speed hubs. I hope to become an expert by the time I've stripped and cleaned and inspected eight or nine of them.
When I was a kid, I hated bikes with Sturmey Archer gearing. The big boys in my area had bikes with Campagnolo deerayllieuers and levers, and I was corrupted. Now, I know better. I can hold Sturmey steel in my hand, and feel it's value.
Merry Christmas!
__________________
Inflate Hard
Inflate Hard