vintage bicycle genealogy and archive
vintage bicycle genealogy and archive
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archived: english roadsters
misc: aw hub maintenance
posted by: phil deaves
on 5/19/2004 at 9:22:13 am
well, there i was, walking through a park, when what caught my eye? some old, beat up bike in the hedges. i mean, beat up. the frame was bent. most spokes were broken. the rims had been folded up! it was so rusty it was almost impossible to tell what it's supposed to be. but wait, the hub looks reasonable. rush home for tools and rush back.i managed to remove the hub (a 1979 aw) and get it home. it was locked solid and smothered in muck. a perfect "training" example that i could pull apart without fear of ruining my own bikes!well, cleaned it up, started bulling bits off, managed to get parts turning. stopped while the going's good and reassembled (i never did manage to get right into the inner, inner workings). pulled the chain to get the innards shifting. i'm pleased with what i've got. so far.now, i've never held a sturmey archer hub before, that's not attached to a bike, so i have no idea how freely the parts should turn. as it is, i can get the the parts turn with just fingers, though they feel stiff (the parts, not the fingers!). is this the correct, fit to ride, state? or do i need to disassemble the whole thing further to try and loosen it up more?thanks for your thoughts. there's no cure for the bike bug, is there? (hopes not...)phild
re:misc: aw hub maintenance
posted by james on 5/19/2004 at 5:40:12 pm
if the bike was in such poor condition the hub might have some damage, i found a nice looking aw hub the other day, took it apart and found a quite a bit of internal damage, eaten up clutch, lots of bits of metal in the sludge. i say take it apart, it's quite fun actually and everyone should know how to overhaul an aw. the hard part is opening it up, it's even more difficult when it isn't in a wheel. i use two oil filter wrenches - the rubber strap type - hold onto the hub with those, while another person uses hammer and punch to move the right hand ball cap counter clockwise. if you just want to loosen things up, try fiddling with the cones, but that isn't going to make a worn out hub any less worn out.
re:re:misc: aw hub maintenance
posted by edward in vancouver on 5/22/2004 at 2:42:00 am
here i find myself encouraging someone to take apart a free, un-spoken-for, plain-jane aw 3 speed hub. it's like encouraging a 15 yr old to take the family car out for a spin. what are you waiting for?!!! even if you do screw up, you'll still have some salvageable parts to use for other aw hubs. then again, some of the hard-core bike freaks make jewlery out of bike chains or tiny 13 tooth cogs. me, i make rolling pastry crimpers from the sun pinion of the aw, and my 5 yr old son uses the pawls for ballast for his "projects" that invariably include rubber bands and dental floss.
re:re:misc: aw hub maintenance
posted by edward in vancouver on 5/22/2004 at 2:42:56 am
here i find myself encouraging someone to take apart a free, un-spoken-for, plain-jane aw 3 speed hub. it's like encouraging a 15 yr old to take the family car out for a spin. what are you waiting for?!!! even if you do screw up, you'll still have some salvageable parts to use for other aw hubs. then again, some of the hard-core bike freaks make jewlery out of bike chains or tiny 13 tooth cogs. me, i make rolling pastry crimpers from the sun pinion of the aw, and my 5 yr old son uses the pawls for ballast for his "projects" that invariably include rubber bands and dental floss.
re:re:re:misc: aw hub maintenance
posted by james on 5/22/2004 at 5:45:24 am
it's really not that difficult, get a copy of an older bicycle repair manual with a chapter on sa hubs, read sheldon brown's stuff, the only hard part is opening it up.
english roadsters: raleigh lenton sports
posted by: john
on 5/18/2004 at 10:13:47 am
hi, my dad wants to sell his lenton sports(he's now 73) that he purchased in 1952. he's restored it and its now in good order with all the bits as per photo in the web link:http://retroraleighs.com/catalogs/1951-england/pages/04-lenton-sports.htmlany idea what its worth?
re:english roadsters: raleigh lenton sports
posted by paul raley on 5/18/2004 at 11:51:09 pm
hi john,i have owned a clubman and an rra (all sold) but i have always wanted a green lenton sports. could you email me with details? thanks!!paul raleyleonardtown md
re:english roadsters: raleigh lenton sports
posted by paul r. on 5/20/2004 at 11:11:48 am
hi john,thanks for the picture..it looks very nice. unfortunately for me it appears to be 21" and i would need the larger 23" model.i would estimate the value from $250 to $450 in usd depending on who is looking for a lenton when you want to sell. i think they are perhaps worth a bit less in the uk?my emails get bounced when i try to reply to you directly, hence my reply using oldroads!
misc: moustache bars & pedal blocks
posted by: jim
on 5/18/2004 at 3:41:54 am
didn't someone find a source for chrome moustache handlebars ? also for replacement pedal blocks for rebuidable brit pedals ? i also have more pairs in need of rebuilding than i will ever use if anyone wants a pair $5 + postage or trade for an sa taillight in serviceable condition - even a late cheesey plastic one would be fine. thanks, jim
re:misc: moustache bars & pedal blocks
posted by james on 5/18/2004 at 5:18:13 am
a north road turned upside down makes a decent moustache bar, isn't that what they used one some clubbikes back in the 30s?
re:misc: moustache bars & pedal blocks
posted by sam on 5/19/2004 at 3:53:17 pm
http://www.bikecult.com/works/parts.html or http://sheldonbrown.com/harris/handlebars.html
english roadsters: indian made roadster?
posted by: jeff bikeguy
on 5/18/2004 at 2:42:58 am
i know you guys don't care much for these but would this be a good buy? maybe just for the parts and accessories?http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/ebayisapi.dll?viewitem&category=420&item=3677979712&rd=1
re:english roadsters: indian made roadster?
posted by larry "boneman" bone on 5/18/2004 at 9:24:32 am
hmmm... for $110 delivered, i don't think that's bad at all. whether for parts, tyres... or just to have for fun? can't be any worse than what you can get at wal*mart for that price and certainly classier!regards,larry "boneman" bone
re:english roadsters: indian made roadster?
posted by gms on 5/18/2004 at 10:02:35 am
good deal indeed! you guys should get some of those bikes...they are new in perfect shape and you can ride them without worring about damaging a vintage bike! the only thing i would do is get a internal hub laced into the back rim!
re:english roadsters: indian made roadster?
posted by mike on 5/18/2004 at 4:05:59 pm
i've gotten eastman handlebars to replace damaged raleigh bars, they're of decent quality and at only $45 for the whole thing (shipping included) it's a good buy. the indian bicycles and parts aren't bad, this one is well worth the price.
re:re:english roadsters: indian made roadster?
posted by james on 5/19/2004 at 12:32:33 am
i ordered three, i prefer the flying pigeon but hey at that price i couldn't resist and they come assembled unlike the eastman roadster. at such a low price i can make some modifications, and still sell them at a profit, maybe use japanese bb cups, repack the hubs with phil wood grease, add better brake pads and a retro light and sell them as "urban run-about bikes" in portland.
re:re:english roadsters: indian made roadster?
posted by david poston on 5/19/2004 at 4:28:41 am
mike,where did you get the eastman 'bars? i am needing a pair of replacement bars for my dl-1 myself. are they the type that are "square," meaning that they go straight back without the forward bend (unlike the ones on the 70's dl-1 model)?thanks,david.
re:re:re:english roadsters: indian made roadster?
posted by mike on 5/20/2004 at 9:31:51 pm
yellow jersey bicycle shop sells spare parts by mail.www.yellowjersey.orggo to the roadsters page and then the spares page.
english roadsters: raleigh locking fork
posted by: john r.
on 5/18/2004 at 1:55:40 am
what a great day! acquired a green 1969 raleigh superbe in very good condition. it has a locking fork, but no key. does anyone know where and/or if replacement keys are available. the letters ngv are over the key slot and the number 35 is under it. i assume that is the key code. would any ole locksmith work or? any info is greatly appreciated. thanks!
re:english roadsters: raleigh locking fork
posted by gms on 5/18/2004 at 9:59:54 am
this topic has come up before, and yes i do believe that a locksmith can cut you a key, but i don't remember which key exactly it is that has to be cut, only that it is commonly available. probally should just go see the locksmith with it!
re:english roadsters: raleigh locking fork
posted by ed on 5/18/2004 at 2:36:33 pm
we've talked about this a lot in the past,however i don't recall anyone actually saying that they have succesfully had a new key made for a superbe.if any of you has truly had this done please advise us and i'll haul my 1966 superbe across town to our local locksmith. thanks, ed.
re:english roadsters: raleigh locking fork
posted by john r on 5/18/2004 at 4:12:41 pm
thanks for the quick info. i noticed a new raleigh locking fork that includes the keys on ebay, item number: 2244960438. the narrative sounds like they might have more than one. there are a couple of other projects ahead of the superbe but i'll let you know the outcome when i take it to the locksmith.thanks,john r.
re:english roadsters: raleigh locking fork
posted by steve ringlee on 5/18/2004 at 5:36:04 pm
your lock takes an ilco lf-5 or lf-19 key blank. any locksmith can cut the pattern using the code (are you sure it isn't ngn-35?). the computer programs they use do not include old bike forks: the smith will have to refer to an older paper manual.
re:re:english roadsters: raleigh locking fork
posted by marc on 5/18/2004 at 6:07:37 pm
i would find an old dusty locksmith shop. i had this done with a schwinn ballooner. a good old smith should have no trouble.
re:re:re:english roadsters: raleigh locking fork
posted by jeff bikeguy on 5/20/2004 at 1:39:35 am
i had a key cut for a schwinn ballooner at a local locksmith and they were able to find a new style blank that worked with the fork.
re:english roadsters: raleigh locking fork
posted by john r on 5/20/2004 at 4:03:26 pm
thanks for all the info guys! steve, on closer examination the code is ngn, not ngv. looks like my eyes are the second thing to go!! i plan on lugging the fork to my local locksmith as soon as i disassemble the headset for repacking. thanks again!
re:re:english roadsters: raleigh locking fork
posted by edward in vancouver on 5/22/2004 at 2:23:08 am
on this site they have exploded views of all raleigh bikes, including the locking forks and, most importantly, the locks themselves, which include important detail like the wafers that make up the locks. download and print, and give a copy to any locksmith, along with the bike. i've done this twice with absolutely no problems, and a key within 10 minutes. as logic would deem it, the same lock is used for the door lock of an english car, can't remember which one, austin, i think...oh, by the way, the lock is great for authenticity, and even better to keep the front wheel from flopping around when the bike is in a workstand, but as a theft deterrent? nope.
re:re:english roadsters: raleigh locking fork
posted by edward in vancouver on 5/22/2004 at 2:23:51 am
on this site they have exploded views of all raleigh bikes, including the locking forks and, most importantly, the locks themselves, which include important detail like the wafers that make up the locks. download and print, and give a copy to any locksmith, along with the bike. i've done this twice with absolutely no problems, and a key within 10 minutes. as logic would deem it, the same lock is used for the door lock of an english car, can't remember which one, austin, i think...oh, by the way, the lock is great for authenticity, and even better to keep the front wheel from flopping around when the bike is in a workstand, but as a theft deterrent? nope.
english roadsters: silver clored raleigh?
posted by nick on 5/29/2004 at 4:04:45 am
i am looking for an older raliegh, with enclosed chaincase, similar to one i owned about tewty years ago. i recall a classmate of mine had one that was silver--was this a raleigh, or some other make???
age / value: bluemels
posted by: sam
on 5/17/2004 at 10:54:56 pm
not too much in the way of roadesters to report lately.robert did tell me he found a girls raleigh with a 36 hole dino hub. and today i got a set of white bluemels.the schwinn letour they were on didn't make it outa the parking lot--had to buy the bike to get them ($14) but didn't want to bring home another useless frame--sam
for sale: 2- raliegh sport bikes
posted by: tony silva
on 5/17/2004 at 5:52:59 am
@ bikes for sale raliegh 80 dollarsph. 559-5847512ca.
for sale: 2- raliegh sport bikes
posted by: tony silva
on 5/17/2004 at 5:52:59 am
@ bikes for sale raliegh s 0dollarsph. 559-5847512ca.
age / value: a pair of raleigh sports...
posted by: fred a
on 5/16/2004 at 12:56:34 pm
hi all...if any of you live on (or near) long island, ny and are interested in purchasing a pair of 1973 raleigh sports bikes in green with the original brooks saddles, let me know. both bikes were purchased from the original husband & wife owners. it's all there, including the rear reflectors that usually wind up getting lost. they need a good detailing, which i usually do, and there is some rust on the paint and chrome.i bought them yesterday to add to my list of bike projects, but my collection has gotten way out of control (you know!). besides, my wife doesn't understand my bike craziness, etc. etc.so, let me know if you're interested. i took pics and will email them to you. oh, there is also a saddlebag that contained the tools that apparently came with (bought seperately ) the bike. these are for pick up only. email at:fappel@optonline.netthanks,fred a
english roadsters: cracked gripshift on 1971 raleigh sports
posted by: kurt
on 5/16/2004 at 2:25:26 am
pardon my ignorance if i may have missed this item on one of your pages, but i simply could not locate any information about this particular part anywhere. i am looking for a replacement shifting assembly for my 1971 raleigh. this particular example was fitted with a gripshift, that is, a complete, rotating 3 speed handlegrip that mounts over the standard north road handlebar. not that it may make any difference, but i would like to note that the rotating grip is on the chain side of the bike.the top section is cracked, and when shifting, it takes some doing to align the grip into second gear. the main problem is, however, due to this, when shifting between second and third gears, there is a chance the crank will begin to freewheel. i have considered that the gear pawls in the aw sturmey might be worn out, or the pawl springs may need replacing, but after some testing, i don't find it likely.i'll try to post a photo of the shifting mecanisim as soon as possible.take care,kurt
re:english roadsters: cracked gripshift on 1971 raleigh sports
posted by stacey on 5/16/2004 at 11:11:30 am
kurt, have a look at this ebay auction. i believe it's what you need. good luck!http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/ebayisapi.dll?viewitem&category=420&item=2244544105&rd=1
re:english roadsters: cracked gripshift on 1971 raleigh sports
posted by kurt on 5/16/2004 at 2:19:10 pm
precisely what i am looking for!thank you very much for pointing it out to me.
re:re:english roadsters: cracked gripshift on 1971 raleigh sports
posted by stacey on 5/18/2004 at 4:06:21 pm
you're welcome... hope all goes well.
re:re:re:english roadsters: cracked gripshift on 1971 raleigh sports
posted by kurt k. on 5/19/2004 at 2:09:45 am
wish i could say that, i lost the auction. had an appointment at the time, and couldn't stick around for the bidding war :-( was willing to go to $22 us....
re:re:re:re:english roadsters: cracked gripshift on 1971 raleigh sports
posted by warren on 5/19/2004 at 3:10:22 am
i've got a used one you can have cheap. write me.
misc: so i'm on the way home......
posted by: ralph
on 5/14/2004 at 7:26:07 pm
i spot this 3 speed locked to a sign post. i see it from about 50 yards away while at a light. i have to say it gets me curious. as i pull up i notice the front brake hanging by the cable. it's fallen off and gotten tangled in the front wheel. no real damage except missing mounting hardware. but the rider has clearly locked it up and will be back with a car.now, i've been a bike mechanic full & part time for more than half my life. this is less than a mile from my house. i have kind of a wierd sense of humor.the only solution to this situation is to go home, retrieve the parts & tools i need and fix the bike. i left it there without so much as a note. i found it the perfect opportunity to do a good deed and baffle a perfect stranger all at the same time. i figure there's no way this guy will ever really accept the fact that a stranger came by with the tools and parts on hand to fix his bike. i guess he will always view it as one of life's un-answered questions.
re:misc: so i'm on the way home......
posted by larry "boneman" bone on 5/15/2004 at 12:09:27 am
roll "twilight zone" music here: ....good onya man. a good deed... and (if you've a sense of humour like mine) a very well executed practical joke all rolled into one!of course, being "not right" as i am, i would have fixed the brake and then let the air out of the tyres.nah, i wouldn't. just thinking about doing it is fun enough.it would be fun to hang around just to see the person's reaction too. this is like a classic "candid camera" prank, for sure!regards!larry "boneman" bone
re:misc: so i'm on the way home......
posted by sam on 5/15/2004 at 1:44:42 am
and just think what the guy's girlfriend that just had to drive him 10 miles to pick up the bike will say!
age / value: looking for accesories
posted by: marc
on 5/14/2004 at 11:17:06 am
i have an old j.c. higgins 3 speed bicycle built in austria. i've looked at similar higgins models and mine is definately from at least the 50's. i'm looking for accessories for it. it has a bracket on the front right fork for a light. normally on these roadsters with fork mounted lights, is the generator also mounted with the light? all of the generator/light units meant for the front wheel mount on the left side. does anyone have a source for a right side mounted generator/light if that is correct? it also has pump pegs on the backside of the seat tube between the tube and the rear fender. the problem is, i haven't seen a pump long enough to fit into the pegs. has anyone else had a similar problem and where did you find the pump?thanksmarc
re:age / value: looking for accesories
posted by james on 5/14/2004 at 4:42:45 pm
the union universal mounts on the left side, it is an old design, one piece generator and light unit, was probably in production in the 50s. the new german dynotech generators are available as left or right side units, they look more modern but you could use the dynotech to power vintage lights.
re:re:age / value: looking for accesories
posted by james on 5/15/2004 at 7:56:21 am
i was mistaken, union sells generators that mount on the right side including the "universal" the all in one unit, this model looks vintage, it probably i the same design made since the 1950s.
re:re:re:age / value: looking for accesories
posted by marc on 5/18/2004 at 5:09:36 am
thanks for the info. do you know where i can pick up one of the union units?
wanted: wanted sa wingnuts
posted by: ron
on 5/13/2004 at 11:18:16 am
wanted sa wingnuts, front and rear.thanks.
misc: identifying the model year on a raleigh sports
posted by: joe
on 5/13/2004 at 7:24:47 am
i recently picked up what are most likely a pair of late 60's vintage raleigh sports bikes.one is pretty rough, at least as far as paint and decals, but has a nice wheelset, and the hub is dated 2/67. the other has no wheels, chrome fenders, and other than the fact that it's missing both wheels and chainguard, is in real nice shape, neither has any sign of any serial numbers, both have nottingham headbadges, and both have two small tabs on which the chainguard mounts. the one i can see is most likely a 1967 going by the rear hub date code, but the other is up in the air. my main question is when did raleigh start to use the two little braze on tabs to mount the chainguard?i have a 50's model with the a clamp on chainguard, much like those on the lesser raleigh brands. both of these bikes are dark brown metalic, have the later style white plastic rear fender reflectors, both have the shifter with the clear plastic cover, and both use the black ribbed hand grips and black padded brooks vinyl saddles. (most of the raleigh sports' i've seen have had b-66 leather saddles). these bikes came from different locations, but were probably nearly identical when new. does anyone have a good brown chainguard for sale?
re:misc: identifying the model year on a raleigh sports
posted by gms on 5/13/2004 at 10:22:31 pm
if both bikes are identical then they might me the same age +/- a year of course.
re:re:misc: identifying the model year on a raleigh sports
posted by joe on 5/15/2004 at 3:06:04 am
i was thinking the same thing, but since they were found separately, and the the fact that i have another one that, sans the self adjusting brake levers, looks identical as well. the one with self adjusters is a '74 going by it's rear hub and looks quite original. i have several older frames here that do not have the chain guard mounting tabs either, one is made in holland and looks newer, at least by it's condition. the oldest still has the "all steel..." logo. i have several generic raleigh brand chainguards, but no raleigh guards to mount on the tabs.how long did the sports model go basically unchanged? i know there was a spoke count and brake lever change in the early '70's but how about decals, saddles, and chainguards?
english roadsters: '50's hercules
posted by: jack
on 5/13/2004 at 12:36:27 am
i'm currently in the midst of refurbishing a late-50's hercules tourist. while cleaning the stem and bars i found the bars marked "wald".i thought wald was an american make? has anyone else found wald bars on vintage english roadsters? the rest of the bike appears original and the stem is definitely english. could the wald bars be original too?
re:english roadsters: '50's hercules
posted by chris on 5/13/2004 at 1:10:38 am
i doubt that this part of the bike is original.
re:re:english roadsters: '50's hercules
posted by jack on 5/13/2004 at 7:50:42 am
thanks chris, i'm afraid your're probably right.
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