1950's Girls' BSA Bicycle

[Paulmh]

I have a 1950's girls' bicycle, which is based on the "Airborne Bicycle" of WW2, later renamed the Parabike. It's a scaled-down version of the WW2 twin-tubed, eliptical framed bicycle and has 18" wheels. It's single speed and I'm considering buying a 1950's BSA / Sturmey Archer 3 speed hub and either buying new wheels or having the existing wheels taken apart the rims rechromed and then the rear wheel rebuilt with the 3-speed hub. This is all for my granddaughter, for the day she's big enough for the bike, maybe in a couple of years time. Any thoughts on using a 3-speed hub on a child's bike, which was no doubt originally for an adult sized bicycle? And any thoughts about re-chroming rusted wheels? I'd like to keep the bike as original as reasonably possible, but looking smart.
Best wishes,
Paul

 

[tyred]

No problem at all using an SA hub on a child's bike. I had a few myself when I was a nipper and didn't manage to break them!

Good luck trying to find replacement 18" wheels. This was never a very common size.

 

[stevetailor125]

You should be able to rechrome the wheels as long as the steel is ok, I've had a few 1930's wheels done

 

[Paulmh]

Thanks Steve and Tyred. There always seem to be a few 1950's Sturmey Archer 3 speed hubs and other necessary bits on ebay, but I've only seen 40 hole hubs (20 per side) whereas my kids' bike wheels have 10 spokes per side. I could just put spokes in alternate holes I guess, but it doesn't appeal greatly. Did Sturmey Archer make a 10 hole per side hub or am I expecting too much?
Any recommendations about where to go for preparation and rechroming?
Cheers,
Paul