I've been rebuilding my Grandad's old three speed in my spare time over the winter. Here are some pics if anyone is interested.
This is what I started with. Had been stored in damp conditions for a very long time.
My dog didn't seemed impressed.
Chromework was in very poor condition. The frame had a lot of surface rust and pitting in places. The front mudguard fell apart but the rear was okay. I re-inforced the weak spots with glassfibre matting underneath. Mechanically, it was okay apart from the Sturmey AG hub which sounded very gritty. This turned out to be rust on the dynamo magnets rather than a problem with the gear part.
Looks a lot better now I think. A friend has a spare front mudguard for me but he lives a long way away and I haven't got round to picking it up yet.
Fully enclosed chain case. 'Tis the devil's own invention. I was tempted to bin it and replace with a hockey stick guard.
Dunlop rubber saddle cleaned up very nicely with some car upholstery cleaner. I wish it was a Brooks but it's comfortable in a springy sort of way. It's like riding to the shop on an old sofa.
Original pump brought back to life with a new washer took out of a pump from the pound shop which had a similar diameter.
Dynohub works despite me taking it to pieces. It's pathetic compared to modern lamps. It would be better mounted lower down, I think.
I decided not to paint the tip of the mudguard in brilliant white as it was originally. I prefer it in black.
Handlebars cleaned up not so bad after all. Brake levers have very little chrome left. I had to paint the wheel rims in silver as the chrome had completely flaked off them.
Total expenditure was about £35 including new tyres and tubes, paint, brakes and loose bearings in various sizes. It rides nice if you're not in a hurry. Brakes are pitiful, even compared to long reach calipers on chrome rims. There is something majestic about riding down the road due to the high, upright riding position. It's such a quality, well made product, I was putting it back together thinking that it will still be going when I'm dead and buried, all 42lb of it.
This is what I started with. Had been stored in damp conditions for a very long time.
My dog didn't seemed impressed.
Chromework was in very poor condition. The frame had a lot of surface rust and pitting in places. The front mudguard fell apart but the rear was okay. I re-inforced the weak spots with glassfibre matting underneath. Mechanically, it was okay apart from the Sturmey AG hub which sounded very gritty. This turned out to be rust on the dynamo magnets rather than a problem with the gear part.
Looks a lot better now I think. A friend has a spare front mudguard for me but he lives a long way away and I haven't got round to picking it up yet.
Fully enclosed chain case. 'Tis the devil's own invention. I was tempted to bin it and replace with a hockey stick guard.
Dunlop rubber saddle cleaned up very nicely with some car upholstery cleaner. I wish it was a Brooks but it's comfortable in a springy sort of way. It's like riding to the shop on an old sofa.
Original pump brought back to life with a new washer took out of a pump from the pound shop which had a similar diameter.
Dynohub works despite me taking it to pieces. It's pathetic compared to modern lamps. It would be better mounted lower down, I think.
I decided not to paint the tip of the mudguard in brilliant white as it was originally. I prefer it in black.
Handlebars cleaned up not so bad after all. Brake levers have very little chrome left. I had to paint the wheel rims in silver as the chrome had completely flaked off them.
Total expenditure was about £35 including new tyres and tubes, paint, brakes and loose bearings in various sizes. It rides nice if you're not in a hurry. Brakes are pitiful, even compared to long reach calipers on chrome rims. There is something majestic about riding down the road due to the high, upright riding position. It's such a quality, well made product, I was putting it back together thinking that it will still be going when I'm dead and buried, all 42lb of it.
