tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post2542980689395160767..comments2024-03-18T08:41:35.438-04:00Comments on Lovely Bicycle!: Review of "Lucy 3-Speed": a Raleigh Lady's SportsVelouriahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00359329171411037482noreply@blogger.comBlogger74125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-31356953642548643212016-08-25T11:44:54.061-04:002016-08-25T11:44:54.061-04:00Tune-ups? I've done a few.
I obviously love ...Tune-ups? I've done a few.<br /><br />I obviously love vintage 3-speeds, so I’d like to talk about that tune-up process. For example, what does a general tune-up at your local bike shop entail? Is it sufficient? Can you do some of it yourself?<br /><br />In my experience, to properly restore any bike over 10 years old requires taking apart the main-sprocket bearings, cleaning and re-lubing them, because the original lube usually turns to dirty wax, as shown here when I restored this 1987 Puch last year:<br /><br />Dirty: http://i.imgur.com/h69nsyb.jpg<br /><br />Cleaned: http://i.imgur.com/60EtVrB.jpg<br /><br />New lube: http://i.imgur.com/j68LZbF.jpg<br /><br />The finished Puch:<br /><br />http://i.imgur.com/DqXrPpK.jpg<br /><br />I went to look at a bike I saw on Craig’s List, but didn’t like the advertised bike, and the guy had that Puch sitting out in the weather, and he offered it to me for $40 – DEAL!<br /><br />With vintage European bikes they use loose ball-bearing, so you need to put a sheet down below to catch all the loose ball-bearings as you take it apart. The new grease holds the ball-bearings in place as you put it back together, so not as hard as it may seem.<br /><br />Does your local bike shop’s general tune-up involve cleaning and re-lubing the main sprocket's bearings? Be sure to ask, and ask for pictures of the job, such as I take.<br /><br />American-made vintage bikes (Huffy, Murray, etc) generally use one-piece caged bearings, which makes the re-lube job easier to do since you don’t need to deal with loose ball bearings. If the foot-cranks are one piece, then they likely use caged bearings. However, put down a sheet to catch any loose bearings just in case.<br /><br />I have two Raleigh bikes, but I like American 3-speeds too, and American bikes can also be a nice practical bike, and usually at a cheaper price.<br /><br />For example, here’s a 1985 Sears Free Spirit 3-speed that I bought on Craig’s List for $30:<br /><br />http://i.imgur.com/FhtPDdk.png<br /><br />It was in excellent condition, and that Sears bike was actually constructed by Raleigh, as you can tell by its 3-piece crank and it says “Sheffield” on it. I have another Sears Free Spirit 3-speed of a similar era that was probably made by Huffy or Murray, and both are nice bikes. <br /><br />Sears didn’t make their own bikes and they contracted with many companies to actually construct their bikes for them, including Raleigh, and Austria’s Puch-Steyr, as well as all the American companies.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13823023806473089705noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-83435566915627901252016-08-25T11:04:19.485-04:002016-08-25T11:04:19.485-04:00As for the advantages of a 3-speed in a practical ...As for the advantages of a 3-speed in a practical sense, when you do need to stop for a red light on a 3-speed, then you can brake and then shift down to a lower gear while stopped waiting for the light, which is more convenient than with a 10 (thru 21) speed bike using a derailer which requires forward movement to shift gears. <br /><br />3-speeds also have quieter shifting, and less seems to go wrong and they tend to stay in adjustment without a fuss, and their shifting is easy to adjust when they do require some tweaking. <br /><br />This guy has a good page titled “Why Buy a 3-Speed?” which covers the topic well:<br /><br />https://rideblog.wordpress.com/2013/11/24/vintage-bike-buying-guide-3-speeds-2/<br /><br />GEARING - as already discussed here, while most people won’t need to do it, it’s very easy to adjust your gearing to get the best use out of your 3-speed for your local terrain by merely changing the rear sprocket from the usual 18T to more or less teeth. <br /><br />On my work-out bike I wanted more speed, so I swapped in a 16T rear sprocket. Most of the posters here seemed to go the other way and added more teeth to climb hills better. I live in Los Angeles (the SFV) which is fairly flat, so even with a 16T rear sprocket, I still never need to use my lowest (1st) gear, so I essentially remain in high (3rd), and occasionally downshift to 2nd, which is also called “neutral” since while in #2 the rear hub acts without gearing up of down.<br /><br />With my 3-speed I mainly use #2 and #3 (2 gears). While on my daily rides with my 21-speed I mostly had used the top 3 gears. Not a big difference for my daily work-out rides (2 versus 3 gears), but after fixing up my 3-speed to go fast, I rarely use my 21-speed now – the 3-speed Steyr is just more fun to ride.<br />Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13823023806473089705noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-68659522945957186002016-08-24T15:23:04.303-04:002016-08-24T15:23:04.303-04:00No postings here in over 2 years, but since I read...No postings here in over 2 years, but since I read all of the interesting postings, I can belatedly answer some of the questions, which will hopefully help someone.<br /><br />Someone had asked, why buy a vintage 3-speed?<br /><br />In my opinion, 3-speeds are primarily for ladies or kids, but I’m a guy and I ride one daily. Nevertheless, my 3-speed is unusual and very fast (reaching speeds over 20 mph), where most 3-speeds are ridden at a much slower pace (7 mph or less), which is suitable for local errands or pleasure riding.<br /><br />The advantage of 3-speeds is that a lady can sit upright while wearing regular street clothes, as shown here with a model astride a Dutch Puch:<br /><br />http://i.imgur.com/WP1W9kf.png<br /><br />I saw a recent Craig’s List ad where the guy described it as “an old ladies 3-speed” and I had to chuckle since young women look striking astride any 3-speed!<br /><br />The gal who started this blog likewise looks lovely in her street clothes with her <br />restored ‘Raleigh Lady’s Sports’ bike.<br /><br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-31084151375863349262014-05-23T04:11:28.168-04:002014-05-23T04:11:28.168-04:00Interesting comments. I like the old Raleigh Touri...Interesting comments. I like the old Raleigh Tourists including the loop frame step-through versions. At Easter we picked up a black Raleigh loop frame bicycle with rod brakes and a fully enclosed chain guard. It has the longer steering head with the original Sturmey Archer 3 or 4 speed shifter having the little window showing H, N, or L. The rear hub is stamped 1956 - 9 . It`s all original including the red and gold pinstripes. Pedals are the original re-buildable ones with the nuts holding in the pads .The chain guard is also the original oil bath type with the little brass oil cap at the back. The wheels are Dunlop 28 inch rims and the spokes all have the razed Raleigh `R` on the hub end of the spokes. The frame loops are also joined in the middle with the small frame tube. These bikes also had tighter dimension handlebars as measured from one side to the other and this bike has the original black handgrips in great shape. The leather seat is a ladies Lysett ,fully springed and in great shape. We intend to keep it all original as is possible, unmolested. Just a different perspective. ThanksAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-23450456779830332742014-04-24T14:44:39.294-04:002014-04-24T14:44:39.294-04:00Just reading, coming to this a bit late! But as a ...Just reading, coming to this a bit late! But as a big English dork I feel compelled to say some of the earlier Raleighs and variants use special brake cables with bits on the end (there's more in Sheldon) that you can't just replace because they've been obsolete forever. you really want to keep those going unless you replace the brakes and it's a right pain!mitbhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14451166987619315276noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-46604348828329648722013-12-31T21:18:06.777-05:002013-12-31T21:18:06.777-05:00Great article, I am definitely putting your tires ...Great article, I am definitely putting your tires and brakes in a list for parts to get in the future. I am running a '58 Raleigh Sports ladies bike that had been abandoned for 20+ years outside at the University of Michigan. After rescuing it, I attacked it with WD-40 and realized that I only needed new rubber. Even the dynohub worked! <br /><br />P.S. does anyone know how to unfreeze a 3 speed hub? I can currently only access 2nd and 3rd gear but 3rd gear is like neutral for me, so that leaves only one speed, heh. Jay Tyanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16379343653425080261noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-59781647573181860572013-07-24T17:21:52.489-04:002013-07-24T17:21:52.489-04:00The chrome extension is indeed for a portable head...The chrome extension is indeed for a portable head lamp. I found one from a bike restorer and it is chrome plated tin operated by two D batteries and made by Elite c.1970.I had one of these in the early seventies on this same bike but it had long since rusted out. It fits well on my Raleigh 1952 Sports bicycle.I had to put a shim in the lamp socket so it would fit tight to the metal lamp shaft on the stem and I also placed a couple of copper pennies to fit beneath the batteries so they wouldn't shift and flicker on and off when I hit a bump in the road.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-69557049516480782502013-06-14T05:47:26.408-04:002013-06-14T05:47:26.408-04:00I have a 74 men sports just like that one with the...I have a 74 men sports just like that one with the dynohub and the lights are great and super easy. I think these bikes have to be one of the best commuting bikes ever built, I think Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-11755467493392609962013-04-22T13:25:53.972-04:002013-04-22T13:25:53.972-04:00My daughter is a high school senior, and since she...My daughter is a high school senior, and since she is drawn to the aesthetics of old three speeds (and thanks to the advice on this blog), I've purchased a Raleigh Sport for her to use as a campus bike next year at NC State University. (I mention the school to point out that she'll be riding a Raleigh in Raleigh.) The '77 Raleigh Sport I got off of CL already came with cream Schwalbe Delta Cruisers (the previous owner read this blog too), and I plan on lowering the gearing with a 22T cog, since there's a moderately steep hill between NCSU's main campus, where she'll be living, and its centennial campus, where she'll be studying textile design. As for the brakes, the back wheel has a coaster, and the front wheel has a side pull. For safety, I'd like to increase the bike's stopping power, so I'm going to replace the front wheel with a pre-built alloy wheel from Harris Cyclery (and also change the brake pads to Koolstops). My question is: Would it be OK to change the front wheel to alloy but leave the back wheel steel (since it already has a coaster brake)? Rebuilding the back wheel would be much more expensive than simply replacing the front. Would the weight difference between the wheels cause handling problems? I seem to recall that a writer of another blog (I forget which one but she was a woman in the Northwest) mixed wheels in this manner and didn't mention any ensuing problems. (Please excuse the vagueness that comes from middle-aged memory.)<br /><br />P.S. I love this blog. Thanks to Velouria for creating this great resource, and to the many readers that leave informative comments. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-53914213308197146942013-02-16T14:16:32.381-05:002013-02-16T14:16:32.381-05:00The SA hub may be dated to 1954. I don't have ...The SA hub may be dated to 1954. I don't have much experience with these hubs so I may be reading this wrong but a 54 should be just that.Nathaniel Woodhttp://www.facebook.com/Hollywoodcyclesandrepairnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-70495960795913268962013-02-16T14:15:07.658-05:002013-02-16T14:15:07.658-05:00I don't know how to post photos here, I put so...I don't know how to post photos here, I put some up on my Facebook page. The bike has made in England all over the place. Front badge says made in Birmingham, on the seat tube it says Guaranteed Made In England, small printNathaniel Woodhttp://www.facebook.com/Hollywoodcyclesandrepairnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-36974366995094198762013-02-16T08:22:06.542-05:002013-02-16T08:22:06.542-05:00The only Warwick Cycles I know of were an American...The only Warwick Cycles I know of were an American manufacturer, that I am pretty sure was no longer active by 1970. Post pictures of your bike if you can.Velouriahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00359329171411037482noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-41775738225389159312013-02-16T01:19:34.803-05:002013-02-16T01:19:34.803-05:00I recently came into an English 3 speed that defie...I recently came into an English 3 speed that defies all attempts to identify the age. It is a Warwick. It looks exactly like this bike, from the frame down to the fenders. Does anyone here know of any Warwicks from this period, or if they were bought out by Raleigh.Nathaniel Woodhttp://www.facebook.com/Hollywoodcyclesandrepairnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-11424440818979762752013-02-05T22:03:15.389-05:002013-02-05T22:03:15.389-05:00Here's an example of the light that goes on th...Here's an example of the light that goes on that "Heron" bracket: http://www.flickr.com/photos/lovely_bicycle/7197047818/in/photostream/Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-63551812843866540392012-09-27T05:51:43.032-04:002012-09-27T05:51:43.032-04:00I just bought one just like yours, but having foun...I just bought one just like yours, but having found it too flexible (can't make those low speed tight turns), was wondering if other ladies' bikes have the same condition?mikenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-89448200613285279292012-04-30T17:02:19.814-04:002012-04-30T17:02:19.814-04:00This is absolutely beautiful! I recently purchased...This is absolutely beautiful! I recently purchased a Humber 3-speed just like your lovely bike. My good friend is helping me fix her up :-) Fortunately he is an expert on all things cycling, as well as a sweet and patient man, so he will know exactly what to do to get her in good shape. I love the colour, that is what attracted me to this bike in the first pace - there was one awaiting restoration at our local bike co-op www.newarkbikeproject.org and I really wanted it, but they are going to be fixing her up and they hope to get a good bid to help support the shop. I was so lucky to find this one on Ebay!There are also all sorts of Humber memorabilia to collect, posters, etc. I love England and all things English so I was so pleased to get this bike :-)I am thinking of calling her "Lady Louise", after my lovely English friend. I happen to have n English wax jacket that is about the same colour, also, can't wait to take a rainy-day ride, it will be just like in England :-) Thanks so much for sharing this, and I love your site and blogs as well! ~AngelaAngelanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-76051256129235711032012-04-19T19:09:30.010-04:002012-04-19T19:09:30.010-04:00Just found a 73 ladies Sports for $40 here in Wena...Just found a 73 ladies Sports for $40 here in Wenatchee WA. It needs a lot of work but the frame is in good shape (green). I already have a men's coffee coloured 73 Sports. Now should I buy the white men's that is for sale at the same price? Might find it hard to rationalize with the Missus but it would be a good spares bike though I don't like the white colour too much. The green women's Sports will be my first bike project. If it looks half as good as Lucy I will be delighted!Threespeedernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-37512520310317823902012-03-02T07:11:37.273-05:002012-03-02T07:11:37.273-05:00Glad I ran across this site. I purchased a 1968 g...Glad I ran across this site. I purchased a 1968 green Superbe a few years ago and have waxed the paint a few times and steel wooled the chrome. I need to get it to a bike guy to give it a tune up and upgrade the tires and brakes so that I can finally ride it. It's a beautiful bike. I think I've figured out where I can lock it up when I take it to the grocery store. Need a nice basket to sit on the rear. This could be my ticket to becoming fit again...dogvandavehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09436326440202172385noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-53040046558729019732012-02-15T03:42:28.017-05:002012-02-15T03:42:28.017-05:00Yup, this blog has influenced me, the only downsid...Yup, this blog has influenced me, the only downside is that while I could easily and quite happily spend between $200 and $300 on a vintage 3 speed Raleigh right now... I know I shouldn't! I can't wait until I can purchase an awesome bike like this guilt free. My hope is that I will still be able to find a 3 speed Raleigh for a reasonable price in about 6 years...Severinhttp://www.walkeaglerock.wordpress.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-21130883541457775982012-02-08T23:29:07.265-05:002012-02-08T23:29:07.265-05:00Hi Danny, just saw the pic of your 3-speed...reall...Hi Danny, just saw the pic of your 3-speed...really nice. I am working on two 3-speeds myself...lots of fun...and addiction!Marcelonoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-18374757366600365242011-09-11T18:12:27.559-04:002011-09-11T18:12:27.559-04:00Love this blog. I have a 1992 Pashley Princess Sov...Love this blog. I have a 1992 Pashley Princess Sovereign . It looks like new. It has Rod Breaks. Any suggestions where I can buy break pads ?rigmorhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07227390303329916903noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-82011541094865647832011-09-08T23:30:42.440-04:002011-09-08T23:30:42.440-04:00Not sure if this is appropriate to post, but I wan...Not sure if this is appropriate to post, but I wanted to link to a post I did about the Raleigh Ladies Sport that I got a little while ago, and my experience with it, for those that want more info:<br /><br />http://lemondirgopie.blogspot.com/2011/09/review-of-raleigh.htmlLaurenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05996199805746563669noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-56156644211122539452011-09-07T22:30:38.769-04:002011-09-07T22:30:38.769-04:00Awesome post. Read it along with the vintage or mo...Awesome post. Read it along with the vintage or modern post, which convinced me wholeheartedly to go vintage. My question is, is there a reason to go with the 3 speed over the 10 if i can find a 10 speed for a reasonable price? I will be doing city riding, and since I'm used to a 21 speed hybrid, i feel more comfortable with the idea of a 10 over a 3. Though I probably only use 6 of the gears, and 3 does sound lovely... just less used to the idea I guess... Thoughts?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-49267606186384439042011-08-28T04:12:04.807-04:002011-08-28T04:12:04.807-04:00This blog influenced my bike purchasing decision –...This blog influenced my bike purchasing decision – both this thread and the one about Vintage vs Modern.<br /><br />I was after a genuine Dutch bike, a quality brand like a Gazelle or Batavus and of a “city” style. They cost big big money to buy new – more than I could justify spending, but I am well aware that bikes of that quality can last for a century if looked after.<br /><br />I had a look in the FridayAds back in June and I saw a large frame 3 speed Batavus Barcelona for sale. It was basically sound and was certainly in rideable condition, but it needed a little TLC to really bring it to life. I went down to Brighton, bought it, put it onto my roof rack and brought it home to Maidstone.<br /><br />The bike’s previous owner had been living in York for several years, where it is very flat. High gearing is fine there. But having moved to Brighton the steep hills were making it almost unrideable – even 1st gear was set to a long legged 47 Gear Inches with the 44t front crank. I took it into my LBS and they swopped out the 19t rear sprocket for a 22. It only just fits – any bigger and it would have needed a new/longer chain. The work has geared the bike down by about 16% and has transformed it into a practical workhorse for local conditions. Gearing is now 1st 40 GI; 2nd 55 GI, 3rd 75 GI and this will get me around most places I’d ever want to ride.<br /><br />I’ve fitted new pedals, a new gear trigger-shifter for the Sachs Torpedo hub, and a new snelbinder (that’s what the Dutch call those purpose built elastic clip-on rack straps). The original front tyre was far too crumbly for my liking so I’ve put on a Schwalbe Marathon Plus to match the rear. The LBS trued my front wheel whilst fitting the tyre. <br /><br />Whilst the wheels were off I repainted the steel mudguards – I used black Hammerite which isn’t totally original but it will provide protection for years to come. And I removed the chaincase, and gave the chain a good brush down with white spirit then oiled it again – it had become quite stiff with many years accumulation of dirt and the lack of oil. The chaincase got a good scrub inside too.<br /><br />AXA directly supplied two replacement clip-lock keys – the one that came with the bike was slightly bent just below the head and so is best used only as a reserve.<br /><br />The maintenance section of bikeforums.net has been very helpful throughout and the project has given me more understanding of how a bike of this sort really works. My favourite LBS is The Bike Warehouse in Gillingham – they don’t specialise in hub gear bikes but they are reliable and resourceful, and they are prepared to have a go at maintaining non-standard bikes. <br /><br />I doubt I’ve spent over £250 on this purchase and the upgrades. I’ve ended up with a very solid, reliable, nice to ride commuter bike with plenty of character. It will be running well for years after a new £250 bike has fallen apart and gone to the scrapyard. I’m sure it’s the only bike of its kind in Maidstone and there are probably only a few in the whole country. It has a continental chic to it and is full of solid Dutch practicality. It will be my “classic” for summer weekends and also my winter commuter workhorse – the roller brakes and the rugged 3 speed hub will make it ideal for that. <br /><br />Here’s a picture<br />https://picasaweb.google.com/110055669501444994025/DannySBikes#5642663581715757730<br /><br />And I’ve got The Bug… I’m now in danger of buying a succession of old 3 speeds and fixing them up, until there’s no more room in the garage!Danny1962noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-614292346680852222011-08-09T23:29:48.712-04:002011-08-09T23:29:48.712-04:00Great post! Like many, I've been reading your ...Great post! Like many, I've been reading your blog for some time; very inspiring. I took up riding again last year, at age 44, after a 30-year layoff. I bought a modern (Trek) aluminum cruiser and I've been riding it ever since. I love it, but I've read so much about old 3-speeds that I got the bug for one. And I finally have one - an old Schwinn Speedster, complete with working Sturmey-Archer AW hub, that's been abandoned, shackled to the rack in front of my building for the last three years. It needed rescuing; I couldn't stand seeing such a nice old bike waste away to rust any longer. But it was in pretty good shape overall. It's up the road in my local bike shop, getting tuned up and having old, worn parts replaced. It'll be ready this weekend. I'm really looking forward to it!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com