Thread Drift

[DebW]

We're picking up a 1971 Raleigh Sports for my SO tonight, lugged frame, beautiful detailing, just needs some serious TLC. Really looking forward to working on it with my bike buddy.

5-speed, upright bars, Huret Alvit derailleur?

I wish my short-term memory was as good as my memory for 40 year old bike parts.

[Pax]

5-speed, upright bars, Huret Alvit derailleur?

I wish my short-term memory was as good as my memory for 40 year old bike parts.

Three speed, not sure of maker yet, upright bars. It's been banged up a bit but other than tires and seat it is 100% original.

[Crankin]

Lisa, I'd love to see that "moderne" lunch box!

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Lisa, I'd love to see that "moderne" lunch box!

Sorry, but patent illustrators have to sign confidentiality agreements. I'd be out of a career pretty fast if I showed people designs for things that were in the process of getting patented! lol! You'll have to wait til it's in the stores.

[DebW]

We're picking up a 1971 Raleigh Sports for my SO tonight, lugged frame, beautiful detailing, just needs some serious TLC. Really looking forward to working on it with my bike buddy.

Three speed, not sure of maker yet, upright bars. It's been banged up a bit but other than tires and seat it is 100% original.

OK, then. Sturmey Archer 3-speed hub, probably the AW. Those things last forever. Just put some oil in the hub (there should be a rubber cap over the oil hole) every few weeks.

[Pax]

OK, then. Sturmey Archer 3-speed hub, probably the AW. Those things last forever. Just put some oil in the hub (there should be a rubber cap over the oil hole) every few weeks.

Just got it home and it going to need some work. The previous owners mom bought it new in 1971 and they NEVER put oil in the hub, now they say it won't stay in gear. They paid a guy to fix it but it still does the same thing... I'm thinking WD40 in the hole to loosen up the old grease???

[Kitsune06]

oh, that could be a bad idea if it dissolves the old grease. It'd be better to just open it up and clean it thoroughly to see if there was significant damage from running unlubricated.

[snapdragen]

Busted Chloe dog out in back, eating lemons that have fallen off the tree. My dog is weird.

[Kitsune06]

She has good taste. Ach, I still can't think about drinking Lemon Drops though...

[Pax]

oh, that could be a bad idea if it dissolves the old grease. It'd be better to just open it up and clean it thoroughly to see if there was significant damage from running unlubricated.

It was suggested by some internet Raleigh guru, wd40 to loosen it all up then add some oil. I'll have to wait to see my buddy to open it up though, not a clue how to do that. Well, more truthfully, I can get anything apart... just not necessarily back together again.

[Kitsune06]

Oh! Well, I won't supercede a guru. Carry on!


Happy Wednesday! It's an easy downhill coast from here to the weekend!

[maillotpois]

Got my work email down from 178 to 97. That's progress...

Happy hump day.

[DebW]

Just got it home and it going to need some work. The previous owners mom bought it new in 1971 and they NEVER put oil in the hub, now they say it won't stay in gear. They paid a guy to fix it but it still does the same thing... I'm thinking WD40 in the hole to loosen up the old grease???

If it won't stay in gear, it probably just needs an adjustment of the cable tension. It also could be that if it was ridden alot without oil that parts really are worn inside. First, I'd just oil it and play with the cable tension and see if you can get it working. Pull on the cable by hand and see if you can find 3 distinct gears. I have disassembled Sturmey Archer 3-speeds, but it's a big job. There is a thread on here somewhere with pics of all the innards. You can find adjustment directions on the web.

[Crankin]

Deb, your comment about the Sturmey Archer 3 speed brought back memories of my first real bike (I had Schwinn before that), a Raleigh. It was black, with a generator light, a bell, and the curved bars, with a Brooks saddle and saddle bag. I rode that bike up huge hills in Newton. It really irks me that I don't have it, because apparently, it was stored in my aunt's basement until 1977 or so, after I left it at her house. I think I actually may have had 2 of these bikes, because I grew after getting the first one...

[Pax]

If it won't stay in gear, it probably just needs an adjustment of the cable tension. It also could be that if it was ridden alot without oil that parts really are worn inside. First, I'd just oil it and play with the cable tension and see if you can get it working. Pull on the cable by hand and see if you can find 3 distinct gears. I have disassembled Sturmey Archer 3-speeds, but it's a big job. There is a thread on here somewhere with pics of all the innards. You can find adjustment directions on the web.

Thanks Deb, I'll oil and play with the adjustments, shouldn't be able to do much damage with that.

Most fun thing about this is my SO; when we met she was a cyclist, rode centuries all the time and was really into the sport. Since I wasn't (I was into scuba back then and she doesn't "do" water) we both drifted away from those passions. This Raleigh seems to be rekindling her passion for bikes, she's really excited about researching it and helping work on it... very fun time.