1954 English 3-speed

[donnambr]

Thank you for sharing this. I love bikes like these, and while I have no advanced mechanical skills to speak of, it's thrilling to read about your progress. (Yes, I am pretty nerdy...)

[DebW]

The 3-speed is going back together. The frame has been rust-treated for a month now, so I started putting parts back on. First the bottom bracket. The cups and spindle are slightly pitted, so it's not the smoothest bb in the world, but not too bad. I did have a problem screwing the adjustable cup in far enough and had to force it the last 2 revolutions. Maybe it's never been screwed that far before (was a bit loose when I got it).

I pressed the headset cups back into the headtube, then discovered that the fork didn't align properly with the cups because of how much it's bent. So I did a little cold bending of the steerer tube with a vise, pipe, and mallet. It's now straighter and aligns with the cups well enough to assemble, but binds at one point. Maybe someday I'll want to invest in a new fork for this bike, but for now I'm going to reassemble it and see how it rides. Felt like the frame gained 10 lb when I put the fork back on.

Also reattached the chaincase and did some de-rusting on that. Next task: cotterpins. Will they fit or will I be filing them down? You never know until you try.

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

That bike and I were born the same year (1954). I hope if I get all bent out of shape someday, I can get you to put ME back together too!

[DebW]

That bike and I were born the same year (1954). I hope if I get all bent out of shape someday, I can get you to put ME back together too!

It's one year older than me. And I don't think you'd want me to do to you what I did to that fork. Would you like to be clamped in a vise and beaten with a mallet?

[Trek420]

..... I don't think you'd want me to do to you what I did to that fork. Would you like to be clamped in a vise and beaten with a mallet?

Now Deb, this is a family forum.

It's a beautiful bike, and 2 years older than me 8-)

[SouthernBelle]

It's one year older than me. And I don't think you'd want me to do to you what I did to that fork. Would you like to be clamped in a vise and beaten with a mallet?

Actually, Lisa likes that sort of thing.

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Actually, Lisa likes that sort of thing.

[SouthernBelle]

[mimitabby]

looking good Deb!

[KnottedYet]

Deb, that bike is just so cool! Thank you for keeping us informed, I love reading this.

You've got a lovely picture of the chainring, are those duck or goose heads decorating it, or just a figment of my computer? Seems a shame to cover that with the chain guard, eh?

There is a guy collecting pictures of chainrings, and having them tattooed on his arm. He might be interested in this one. I'll see if I can find the link.

Edit: here it is. This guy also has the Gazelle chainring that Amici Veloci uses. http://www.blackbirdsf.org/chainwheels/

[DebW]

You've got a lovely picture of the chainring, are those duck or goose heads decorating it, or just a figment of my computer? Seems a shame to cover that with the chain guard, eh?

I hadn't noticed that, but you're right. Actually, they look more like mergansers or grebes to me since the back of the head has that extension. But maybe they are herons given the long neck and bill. Guess I should be looking at English birds, but I only have North American bird books.

[DebW]

There is a guy collecting pictures of chainrings, and having them tattooed on his arm. He might be interested in this one. I'll see if I can find the link.

Edit: here it is. This guy also has the Gazelle chainring that Amici Veloci uses. http://www.blackbirdsf.org/chainwheels/

He's already got this one, listed as a 1960s Raleigh under "the remaining chainwheels to choose from:"