For the love of English 3 speeds...
05-17-19, 06:02 AM
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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
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I had an Eatons version (@gster noted) of that Sprite in 1970. The Huret was correct although they later switched to Simplex so maybe your bike is an mishmash. It will take 27" wheels so swapping in a larger, alloy set is fine. The short chainguard is designed to prevent chain rub on a derailleur equipped bike. French bikes often sported these.
I'd ride the herc if it fit me. Alloy wheels are a big bonus.
I'd ride the herc if it fit me. Alloy wheels are a big bonus.
Either a very bad crash or more likely something heavy had fallen on it.
The bars were crushed and twisted and a major dent in the rear stays...
I left it alone.
05-17-19, 07:11 AM
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Riding through an alley here in Parkdale last night, I came across a Glider/Sprite that had been adandoned or put out for trash. I stopped for a look but the bike was severely damaged.
Either a very bad crash or more likely something heavy had fallen on it.
The bars were crushed and twisted and a major dent in the rear stays...
I left it alone.
Either a very bad crash or more likely something heavy had fallen on it.
The bars were crushed and twisted and a major dent in the rear stays...
I left it alone.
05-17-19, 07:05 PM
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Anyone have the contact information for the person who re-covers Brooks saddles?
05-17-19, 07:14 PM
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@rhm
05-18-19, 05:26 AM
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Toronto Vintage Bicycle Show Rides Again!
I dropped the permit application off at City Hall yesterday afternoon
for the show.
July 28, 2019
Trinity Bellwoods park
Toronto
Once approved, I'll post some posters.
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05-18-19, 06:12 AM
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I just brought home a couple more british bikes from the Bike Exchange, another red Hercules and an olive green Raleigh Sprite 5 speed. Both bikes are in decent riding condition with good tires. The Hercules has had new aluminum rims laced on to the original 1962 hubs with heavy galvanized spokes. The Raleigh has the original steel wheels in good condition with little rust.
Can any one give me a little info on the Sprite. I have not seen any with the short chainguard. I measured the seat tube at 59 cm. center of crank to top of tube.
I am considering swapping the wheels from the Herc onto the Raleigh and turning it into a 3 speed. I think the paint will clean up very well and the aluminum wheels will look great.
The Hercules will get the front wheel from the raleigh and a rear wheel from the shop.
Alternatively I can leave everything as is and maybe put a new derailleur and freewheel on the Sprite .
What do you all think?
Can any one give me a little info on the Sprite. I have not seen any with the short chainguard. I measured the seat tube at 59 cm. center of crank to top of tube.
I am considering swapping the wheels from the Herc onto the Raleigh and turning it into a 3 speed. I think the paint will clean up very well and the aluminum wheels will look great.
The Hercules will get the front wheel from the raleigh and a rear wheel from the shop.
Alternatively I can leave everything as is and maybe put a new derailleur and freewheel on the Sprite .
What do you all think?
05-18-19, 06:41 AM
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05-18-19, 06:42 AM
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@rhm
05-18-19, 06:44 AM
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Our local Bike Jumble is today. I'm going over to nose around; last time there was nothing, yes, nothing, for three-speeds. Don't expect this one to be different but there's always hope.
05-18-19, 06:55 AM
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Spent some time cleaning parts for my '56 Hercules "Royal Prince". I used plain ol' white vinegar with some good results!
Still in the need for rubber pedal blocks. Anyone know of a source or have any?
Still in the need for rubber pedal blocks. Anyone know of a source or have any?
05-18-19, 07:48 AM
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Could you not swap out some new rubber blocks from a pair of MKS pedals?
They make a set without reflectors as well.
05-18-19, 08:32 AM
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05-18-19, 03:41 PM
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Went to the Albany OR vintage bike show last Sat. Mostly barn find, balloon tire and BMX with no love for road bikes but got plenty of looks and compliments on the 58 Paramount and my wife's 52? Raleigh Sports that reportedly came from Holland and has the long engraved registration numbers on the seatube.
Had a good time and saw quite few cool bikes.
The 3 speed Society had an annual ride that started and ended at the show, a couple of them showed a lot of appreciation for the Paramount as well.
Had a good time and saw quite few cool bikes.
The 3 speed Society had an annual ride that started and ended at the show, a couple of them showed a lot of appreciation for the Paramount as well.
05-18-19, 04:41 PM
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Took my 3 speed Raleigh Twenty to the Ride of Silence in Greenville, NC. Ken from BF was also there. The folder was perfect for the 10 mile city then country riding the course took us on. Lots of news coverage so I made sure to wear the SOTS button I got from SG.
05-18-19, 08:32 PM
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I made the 15 mile round trip to the gas station today on my 1972 Raleigh Sports, I was a little late getting there I think they closed about the time this bike was made.
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05-19-19, 05:13 AM
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05-19-19, 07:04 AM
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A couple of Teaser posters....
05-19-19, 07:23 AM
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In Praise of a Slack Chain...
I've been bootin' around on my Robin Hood lately and really enjoying it.
It's been cobbled together from the parts bin but is running a very smooth
62 hub.
The chain is somewhat slacker than I usually set them but perhaps
this is the way to go.
It's an old chain as well.
I've been bootin' around on my Robin Hood lately and really enjoying it.
It's been cobbled together from the parts bin but is running a very smooth
62 hub.
The chain is somewhat slacker than I usually set them but perhaps
this is the way to go.
It's an old chain as well.
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05-19-19, 10:49 AM
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05-19-19, 12:47 PM
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Mike and Frank haven’t passed that way yet.
very nice Sport you have for the trip. Next bring some coffee to brew.
very nice Sport you have for the trip. Next bring some coffee to brew.
05-19-19, 03:26 PM
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05-19-19, 10:00 PM
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A lot of bikes of all kinds. Sticker prices high but sellers were definitely open to bargaining. A lot of wheels, derailleurs, pedals. I missed a great deal on a NOS B72 saddle; didn't get back with the cash in time. Bought another one that is used and I probably overpaid a little for it. Found a couple MKS pedal caps I needed. But for SA type stuff: zilch. No hubs, no shifters, no bits and pieces. Fun though. The trouble is, I work Saturdays so I couldn't just relax and take as much time as I wanted. That kind of event, you can't feel rushed and get the most out of it.
05-20-19, 09:34 AM
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Here are some pics of the Raleigh Sprite after a good clean and a clear coat plus some upgrades (6 speed freewheel and a new rear derailleur + new tumbie). I will replace the seat when I take it back to the shop Wednesday. I didn't have the heart to steal the wheels off the red Hercules . It is just too nice the way it is. The pedals are an interesting feature. They are not chrome and don't look like galvanized either. I am curious. They aren't rusty . Some kind or alloy but not sure what. 
Last edited by capnjonny; 05-20-19 at 09:42 AM.
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05-20-19, 10:21 AM
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Free brake caliper and lever
I have an English brake caliper (missing the clamping bolt and nut) and lever for the cost of postage. They are in decent condition - what you see is what you get. I should have put this in "Pay It Forward", but I thought this forum would be best. Forgot to mention that the brake has the long bolt for the front.
05-20-19, 10:22 AM
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My wife and I rode in the 50 mile event of the Santa Fe Century yesterday. (She figures that, with getting to and from the event and going grocery store shopping afterwards, we actually bicycled 75 miles). I'm sad to report that, in the 2000 + riders in the event, I believe I'm the only person riding a three speed. I believe I was the only person bicycling in blue jeans as well. I wasn't the fastest, by any stretch, but we did pass a lot of people. I was surprised at the number we passed while climbing. I thought that would be where the Raleigh would be at a disadvantage. The bike was generally well received, but there was a little bit of indignation from some of the people I passed who were on racing bikes. I got one real loud "Hey!" as I went past one person.
We participated in the Vintage bike show during packet pickup the night before, and I had the only three-speed there as well. I'm afraid I didn't win any prizes, but then, my bike has been restored to daily rider status, not to show status. There were some very lovely vintage bicycles, including some Hetchins that had lovely fancy lugs. I met Classic and Vintage listserv memeber Andy Matipas, who was down with his wife and son from Colorado for the event and was showing vintage bikes as well. It was a great, fun time, but as far as three speeds go, maybe it wasn't quite my tribe.
Last edited by carfreefamily; 05-20-19 at 12:16 PM.