BigChief 

It's nice that you can still repair a flat on a bicycle on the road with nothing more than a pump, patch kit, adjustable wrench and those little irons.
Used to be that way with motorcycles. Not anymore with modern tires. They have much stronger side walls and are a real bear to work. Even with foot long shop irons.
Been thinking about a pump for my Rudge. I wonder if you can still get pumps to fit on those 14" brazed on studs.

Salubrious

^^ Yes is the short answer. There are fairly decent reproductions on ebay for less than $20.00.

dweenk

Mike,

I've got a Raleigh Sports with a Sunlite retro-looking pump as well. They fill the gap, but couldn't fill a balloon at a 5-year old's birthday party. I would buy a decent seat bag and a compact pump that works. Leave the dud on the braze-ons, and ride in style.

clubman 

Ever seen the likes of this? Definitely Raleigh style but no marque on the guard and a serial number to boot. Odd little data point.

Velocivixen

Hi BigChief- no particular plan right now. I'm trying to figure out what vintage of shifter would go with this hub since the exact date is unknown. Seems like late '60's to early '80's. Been looking at Sturmey Archer Heritage site to get an idea of shifters of that time. Seems like fulcrum clip & roller were plastic by then. I like metal, but would like to at least be in the ball park.

I've got another, non 3-speed, conversion going on in which I will build my second ever set of wheels using Sansin mid '80's hubs that I've unlaced from 27" rims.

Why? Have suggestions? I think it would be fun to make a derailleur bike a 3 speed.

sykerocker 

Now, to put things is order for inflation, 1972 prices at A.R. Adams Cycle in Erie, PA were:

Raleigh Sports was $100.00
Dunelt or Triumph "B-line" bike was $85.00
Raleigh Superbe was $110.00, although I don't remember any being sold
Raleigh Tourist was $110.00, and we sold one or two
Raleigh Record or 10-speed Sprite was $100.00 (5-speed Sprite was $90 or 95.00, I think)
Raleigh Gran Prix was $125.00
Raleigh Super Course was $150.00

No higher priced Raleigh road bikes were available, because Merle Adams (the owner) didn't want to be bothered. And yes, I still remember those DL-numbers. That's how we did orders. A Japanese copy of the Dunelt and Triumph with a Shimano 333 hub sold for $60.00. I seem to remember it was a Kent

DaytonaMike

noglider: for the reasons you and other point out I think I will be looking for a better pump to carry. I will just have to keep it hidden

deweenk: I knew the pump was useless when I bought it, the LBS owner even warned me but it was 99% about looking good vs. function. Most of my riding is around the neighborhood and I have been lucky. I have tried a few drops of oil but it did not help much. Thanks to all for the replies.

nlerner

A few more Raleigh price list data points:

gmouchawar

Bad news.
Box arrived damaged and fender is bent over itself. Hole is box probably let any loose parts out of the box.
This was an ebay deal. Is my recourse with UPS or the ebay seller?
It will be too expensive to ship it back.

Velocivixen

I don't know the answer, but wanted to say sorry. What a disappointment. Hope it gets sorted out painlessly..

gster

As time went on the SA triggers got cheaper and crappier....
I prefer the all metal versions used up until the mid 1960's.
Mid 60's to the mid 70's they used the metal trigger with the fragile plastic face that cracks as you tighten the clamp.
They finally went to the black plastic version, The plastic face on this one usually falls off....


A detailed history of SA triggers can be found here:
https://threespeedmania.wordpress.co...r-triggers-by/

gster

When you use an inflation calculator on these prices they're quite consistent.
For example the price of the Superbe in 1973 @104.00 calculates to $572.00 today (Canadian dollars).
The 1976 list with the Superbe @ $155.00 (inflation) comes out at $635.00 today
$500.00-$700.00 is a reasonable price for a new bike today.
My Linus Gaston Path Racer was that amount. I actually got a discount because i bought two (his and hers).
This price did not include the leather saddle which was added.
The 1975 Raleigh Professional @ $725 comes out to a whopping $2,975.00 today!
95 Brown's Line, Toronto is this industrial unit below...

BigChief 

Isn't this a great hobby? Always a new puzzle, a new obstacle to overcome and when you're done, You get to ride it.
A 10 to 3 speed conversion?...Ooooh yes! Been planning one for a long time. I even have some parts set aside. Just waiting
to finish my hot rod Rudge project and for the right frame. I'd like to hear your thoughts on a conversion project if you're in the planning stage because I am too.
There's bound to be a few bumps in that road. Luv it!

Velocivixen

My conversion is not to a 3 speed. I have an '87 Miyata One Twelve Mixte. It had a double chainring front & has 6 in rear with brazed on down tube shifters (Shimano SIS indexing) & 27" wheels. I changed it to a triple with same cranks as original only triple (off an '87 Miyata MTB). Now unlaced hubs (Sansin) and relacing to Velocity Dyad rims. Fun times.

noglider 

That three speed mania site is a scream. Mania indeed!

arex

Shooting blind here, but would replacing the cup with a good-quality rubber or leather one (the right size, of course) help matters any? I would think that'd be the main point-of-failure on a pump, simple as they are.

PalmettoUpstate 

Put some more pics up and I'd be happy to give my 2 cents on the compromise you should demand. Does the seller have a decent track record at ebay?

michaelz28

i guess i'm lucky keep clicking on it , it gets bigger ..

DaytonaMike

I will have to look at that, that might help. When I was a kid my dad bought an early 70's Raleigh Sports that was, except for color, almost identical to the one I have (1973). It became my bike and I remember the original aluminum pump was never that great either but did work better then the re-pop I have. I was looking on e bay for an original pump a few years ago and may go back and start looking again. I think that would look even better and might work better also. I remember getting a lot more flats as a kid, most likely because I ran the tires down to nothing, but I distinctly remember patching/replacing tubes and using the Raleigh pump to fill the tire. But it did take a lot more effort than my floor pump.

gster

That's what she said.

michaelz28

then the bed broke !

BigChief 

My old BMW motorcycle came with a pump exactly like the old bicycle pumps. It had a small air volume, but I remember using it to repair flats on the road on 2 occasions. That was many years ago, but I don't remember being unhappy with it at all. It worked well enough to get me rolling again. So, this style pump can work if it's well built. Too bad the repros are so useless. They shouldn't be.

gmouchawar

Seller has 100% with 240 feedbacks. He/She has been responding by asking for more pictures. I am not opening the box just in case UPS wants to have it inspected.
I am dying to look at the content, but have to hold back for now.
Can I take it to MBox etc.. to have it inspected?
Box has about 4 holes and is flattened on one side.

arex

Raleigh 16" Steel Silver Bicycle Bike Pump Fits Schrader and Presta Valves | eBay

Sixty Fiver

I am teaching my first three speed workshop of the season tomorrow night, a second class is getting booked because of overwhelming demand and we are already looking at scheduling a third class.

These are very popular bicycles here as if you don't need to go in and out of the valley it is pretty flat and three speeds is pretty much all you need.