Raleigh Sports

I had a nice young lady contact me about a 3 speed she had.  She always wanted one, so on Mothers Day, she purchased a 1971 Raleigh Sports off eBay from someone in Michigan.  She realized the bike needed several new parts and she did a very good job securing what was needed.  She just needed it brought back to life.  So, over the weekend, her and her husband brought me a bike and boxes of parts.  This is what I got:

So I worked on it most of the day Saturday and a little today.  So now this is what it looks like:

This is after going through 2 cans of WD 40, a dozen Dremel wire wheel brushed, several bronze and copper pads, a can of citrus de-greaser, re-packed bearings, new cables and brake pads, chrome polish and the other things I forgot about! Still have a way to go, but am having fun!

Cheers!

Brass Bell

Got my Crane brass bell today, really neat, and looks great too.  Now for those lights!!!!

Odometer

I have had this NOS AMF odometer laying around for awhile on the bench.  I got it off eBay a year ago, think I paid 5 bucks for it, still in its package.  Thought it would be easy to install, pretty simple, right?  I was mistaken!  The clicker striker piece on the spoke would either hit the fork or be too far away to strike the counter wheel, or the counter would strike a spoke.  There are like three adjustments needed to make the thing work.  Got frustrated with it a few nights ago and left it on the bench.  I thought about it some more, and reviewed the very minimal installation instructions.  I figured out that the mounting bracket for the odometer body was shown on the instructions installed backwards, which made everything really close.  I flipped the bracket, used the spacers and got it to work!  I put it on the Royal Scot.  The thing is mostly plastic, so will see how it holds up.

Foremost

Found a Foremost 3 speed on Craigslist.  The guy had it on his farm in north Texas, and has been in his family for awhile. He thought it was from the late 70's/early 80's.  When I check it out, the SA AW hub is stamped 9-65!  The guy was even shocked that it was that old.  It has the twist shifter instead of the trigger shifter.  The previous owner touched up the mudguards and chain guard, and did a good job matching up the color, but how hard is it to match up black! 

Doing a little research, this is a JC Penney brand sold in the stores.  This model was made by Raleigh, as is evident by the sprocket, stem and mudguard shape.  Looks just like a Sport.  Here are a few "before" pics.

Royal Scot Finishing Up

Finished cleaning up the parts on the Scot and put things back together.  Soaked original cables in oil and cleaned up the cable housings.  Cleaned up the clips and adjusted things.  Shifts nice and rides great!  Now just want to add some vintage style lights and a saddlebag.

Managed to take it around the local park trails for around 8 miles. 

Royal Scot-Pieces/Parts

Got some parts in today, so put some time into the Royal Scot this evening.  Had to get the tires from Niagara Cycles as Bike Tires Direct were out of gumwalls.  Get the steel shifter pulley and fulcrum from Jon at Gentleman Cyclist.  Glad I replaced the fulcrum because is just feel to pieces when I loosened the fulcrum clip.  Next in line is a brass bell, canvas saddle bag and vintage light set.

Hercules

Well, found the handle grips I wanted, received yesterday.  All that I need is a fulcrum clip and it will officially be done.  Found some NOS fender clips on eBay, a box of 6 for 6 bucks, so I have some spares.  Put one on the Hercules, now the mudguard stays put!  Holds the shape better too.  Went by a English Pub (kinda) in town, they had a English style phone booth in front, so got some pics.  Have new tires on the way for the Royal Scot.