Here it is, my latest project. I need a bit of help in choosing a direction, and I'm sure I'll need plenty of advice. The first photo set was taken right when I got it home. Pretty sad, but looks like the rust is only on the parts that are going in the bin anyway. It's got a sticker from the original dealer in Queensland, celebrating 50 years! 1926-1976. I guess that puts the bike at around 30 years old. Some parts of Queensland are pretty dry, which would exlpain the mud wasp nest in the seat post. Since it seems to be in pretty good shape, with the exception of the rust, I'm not sure how much I want to change. Someone please tell me that it has no collector value, to just make it something I can enjoy on a regular basis.

The wheels are pretty crappy, but they're getting replaced anyway. Oddly, the front is a 36h, while the rear is a 28h. Do I have the hub laced to a new hoop, or look for another hub, possibly a 5 speed/derailleur combo. See next post for a follow question to go with this one.

I've read the bottom bracket nightmare stories. My cotter pins came out with a lot of coercing, but they weren't happy about it. Into the bin with them. I was able to unthread the BB by hand. The bearings were all there, and dry and dusty. I cleaned them and the inside of the frame, then greased them up and whacked them back in. It's a hack job, but until I figure out what to do with the bike, I figured it's best not to start replacing stuff.

So here's my question, which is related to the one in the previous post: Is there any reason to try to keep the bike original? Do I modernize the drivetrain, or try to keep it intact as it came from the factory? Suggestions?

Cheers.

It's a nice colour. Those frames are so solid even with a bit of rust it can't be much worth worrying about.

That's about the same age as my one...

Eek! Were they still in there?

Not sure about in Oz but here in London UK they are still pretty common - so not really any collector value I would say. I think if you looked in about 10% of UK garages you'd find one sitting in the corner sulking. So no - not here; i guess with time they'll increase in value (see the other post about scarcity and rising ebay/craigslist costs) - so I guess it is a consideration but they are hardly rare - yet. Personally I think if you are unsure the thing to do is go halfway and replace enough components to make it safe, fun and efficient but be as faithful to the original (unlike my own haha ) to keep it in the spirit of things.

This one by Lenny Taylor is a very good example - lovely new S7 drive and light wheels but with bright chrome and original paint:
https://lennytaylor.freeyellow.com/Twenty.htm

I think that's a given looking at the pictures..

Depends on how well the stock Sturmey Archer 3 speed is working. They are pretty bombproof - you may need a new cable and shifter lever but the hub probably just needs a clean and a service. In my experience they have a pretty useable gear range and if you wanted something quicker and were prepared to put on a modern front crank / bb combo you could increase the chainring size for a bit more speed (and/or put on a smaller sprocket - I think 14 tooth would be your minimum size on that hub)

From what I've seen - I think putting a derailleur on would be quite a job - you'd probably need some sort of chain guide over the chainwheel to avoid losing the chain all the time and would still have to cold set (bend) the rear triangle to accept the cartridge hub. Cheg had problems using the lowest gear on his too - the chain rubbed against the chainstays. If you wanted more gears than three I'd recommend a SRAM Spectro 5 or 7 or a Shimano Nexus system. Some come with coaster brakes or back-pedal brakes which are probably better than the crappy calliper brakes too. I had v-brake bosses brazed onto my frame (which led to having it resprayed) to upgrade the braking system which I think was well worth the cost

I don't think so unless you want to have a nightmare finding replacement parts. I think it's possible to upgrade it sympathetically with lighter alloy components (rims, bars, seatpost, cranks) and still have something in the sprit of the original but more usable and less sluggish. I'm sure most people on here would agree. Or if 'halfway' isn't enough you could just hang caution to the wind (and expense haha) and go the hot-rod way and not worry so much about historical integrity - looking instead for performance. I harbour ideas of carbon forks, disc brakes (to keep black rims nice and black, Rolf rims et al in my next project - possibly a non-folding twenty painted ferrari red with black parts everywhere else.

Keep us posted on any news!
Huw

Is is hilly where you live? You have a lot of choices for gearing.
Are you planning to take the bike with you on trips? If so, packing size is important.
Do you expect to ride it in the rain?

One way or another, PLEASE share with us your progress. Can't wait to see that bike in decent riding conditions.

Rafael

I'll answer the short one first. I'm moving back to the US in a few months, so I can't answer about hills. We have a perfectly good titanium tandem MTB with S&S couplers if we want to travel with a bike, so this one will probably stay at home. I doubt my Twenty will be out in the rain, although that wouldn't stop me from doing something crazy like disc brakes.

Thanks.

I'll keep you guys updated as I continue to get my hands dirty.

You can date the bike by looking at the date stamped on the outer shell of the SA 3-spd. hub. Here's a link to older SA hub service manuals, it's probably an AW hub, I've been through mine, they're really not that complicated, just make sure you keep careful track of and properly reinstalling the pawls and pawl springs:
https://www.users.globalnet.co.uk/~ha...samaintind.htm

I'd also recommend spraying some WD 40 or other light-med weight rust inhibitor into all the drain/vent holes in the small frame members, e.g. the chain and seat stays and lower braces.

Those look like they might be 451 rims. My 20 has the 406s. More tire choices are available for the 406 rims.

I geared mine down, from a 15T rear sprocket to a 19T, for better hill climbing performance.

Some links:
https://www.gaerlan.com/others1/ralei/ralei.htm
https://lennytaylor.freeyellow.com/Twenty.htm
https://www.users.globalnet.co.uk/~hadland/twenty.htm
https://www.sheldonbrown.com/raleigh-twenty.html
https://drumbent.com/folders.html

Thanks for the tips. Even though the chrome is bad, the frame is pretty much rust-free.

Anyone want to offer rim suggestions? I'm thinking of just going budget on this right now, and getting some cheap BMX wheels. Should be easy to locate a front one, but the rear hoop will have to be a 28h to match the hub. I've already got some brakes, so once the wheels are sorted, I just need to mount a seat, sort out the bars, and hopefully it will be rideable.

The 28H hub limits your choices on rims, my hub is a 36H. Here's a couple of Sun rims from bikepartsusa, it says they are M-13 rims, 20 x 1-1/8, sounds like 451 rims to me. Perhaps Raleigh put 28H hubs and rims on the 451 bikes and 36H hubs and rims on the 406 bikes?

https://www.bikepartsusa.com/product_...ml?p=01-124371
https://www.bikepartsusa.com/product_...ml?p=01-124369

20-inch rim page:
https://www.bikepartsusa.com/view.pht...m&f_c2=20+inch

Wheel sizing chart:
https://www.bikecult.com/works/wheelsizes.html

I'm hoping to sort out the wheels while I'm still over here. I did read somewhere that Raleigh Dragsters got the 28h, and the others got 36h. More research to be done. I'll start with the LBS and see what they can order. I have to decide if I want all black components, or silver.

Silver.

One of my first bikes was a Raleigh Commando, which looked like a non-folding version of that bike that came in fluoro orange and had 3 speed 'grip shifters' (I think).

Kinda explains my lifelong obsession with orange.

And irony. (An orange bike called 'Commando'?)

*edit* Thank you Google ->

Beats having one with a brown stripe called "Commando". I thought the orange was to match your hair? Explains why so many of my rides have no paint...

Isn't black the new silver?

Naw, pink is the new black which means silver is the new pink. Trust me on this Actually, 3D Violet could make a comeback which would make fools of us all.

I wonder what those grip shifters were that were on the Commando?

Sturmey made 3-speed grip shifts in the 60s, I've got one on my 1966 16" RSW.

So you want me to build it up pink?

We ALL KNOW that the fastest folders are the White ones. That is a scientific fact.

Rafael

Red is always fastest. White folders were fast when the earth was flat.

[edit] If I repaint it, I've got to choose a color. Damn non-titanium tubing!

Expatriate,

If I had to repaint your bike, I would paint it blue again. I think this is the first blue 20 I've seen and somehow, it is the most good looking one. I really want to see in which direction you are going to take it.

Rafael

PS: you might be right, red ones may be the faster ones. My giant 1/2way is just the exception to make the rule...you know...a rule.

Metamerism. Google it. The frame is actually more blue/green than blue. I'd really like to salvage the paint. The front mudguard has some damage on the lower edge. Maybe replace them with some chrome ones? Who knows, I've only had it a day.

Offhand, anyone know how many teeth on the chain ring?

I think this is beyond 'restoration' but a very good project bike.
I read Sheldons site extensively before starting and this is what I have done so far;
Metal polish and wax the frame.
Replace stem with 'aluminum comfort bike' swivel threaded type stem. used
Aluminum risers bars meant for same.used
Aluminum seatpost and sprung saddle (mountain bike size). used
New break pads and tires.

I bought a garage sale mtb for the deore bb cranks and pedals. (instructions per Sheldon). obviously used
Next (and most expensive) will be a set of sun-ringle ici-something 451 rims in 28 hole.
These will effectivley double my investment to date.

Have fun with your project.

ici - photos! We want photos!

Ici,

Newspaper on hands, a saturday morning looking for garage sales and US$300.00 will make any bike enthusiast in the USA a happy soul.

It's amazing what you can get from a divorced wife, upset girlfriend, rich fella or just the average "got this bike to get in shape and used it once" kind of thing. Good places for upgrades too (just like Ici did)

I've seen some nice stuff out there. If I had the space...

Rafael

Rafael, if you were in SoCal, I'd give you my brother's address. The last bike I bought from him was a custom Cannondale that he spent about $3500 on. It was 2-3 months old, and I gave him $750 for it.

He has BADD. Bicycle Attention Deficit Disorder.

Wait. My Twenty is bike number 10 at my house. [inserts foot into mouth ]

If everything goes right 2006 will be a year long remembered. My federal grants will go up (I am a researcher) and I will be able to move from the apartment I am currently residing. priority #1 will be getting a second bike. May even get one of these twenties to work and learn about bikes. Or an european folding tandem. Or a road bike. Another Dowtube maybe...ok, let's just change subjects.

Rafael