1958 Raleigh Sports

[user 15387]

Refurbishing a 1958 Raleigh Sports 3 speed. Here it is as bought:

http://bikeshedva.blogspot.com/2014/01/blog-post.html

Cleaning up fenders and wheels earlier this month:

http://bikeshedva.blogspot.com/2014/01/bicycle-wheels-and-fender-touch-up-1958.html

More clean up and driving out old, damaged headbadge rivets:

http://bikeshedva.blogspot.com/2014/01/polishing-and-cleaning-bicycle-paint.html

 

[The Renaissance Man]

Those old lugged frames are cool.

 

[oldgreaser]

Watching with interest, nice job on the blog too.

 

[user 15387]

I've been hedging my bets with the SW hub. I bought an excellent condition 1956 FW (four speed) recently, with 1950s era 3-4 brass face shifter. I'll do an entry on it when I get some pictures. They just arrived today.

 

[user 15387]

I may swap the SW for an FW four speed. I recently picked up this 1956 Sturmey Archer FW.

http://bikeshedva.blogspot.com/2014/01/1958-raleigh-sports-hedging-bets-with.html

 

[user 15387]

Cleaning up the chain ring and cranks:

http://bikeshedva.blogspot.com/2014/01/raleigh-chain-ring-cleaning.html

 

[user 15387]

Some work touching up the black paint on the Raleigh's fenders:

http://bikeshedva.blogspot.com/2014/02/bicycle-paint-touch-up-1958-raleigh.html

 

[powerwagon63]

Inspiring work as always.

Marc

 

[user 15387]

Snow day here in Virginia. That means I can finally update the Bike Shed Blog with what I did this past weekend.

http://bikeshedva.blogspot.com/2014/02/restoring-raleigh-3-speed-1958-raleigh.html

 

[user 15387]

Brief sound comparison of the SW (floating crescent pawls) and the FW/AW type (spring pawls).

http://bikeshedva.blogspot.com/2014/02/sturmey-archer-sw-hub-versus-awfw.html

1958 SW:

[video=youtube;XKymt6y9x7A]

1956 FW:

[video=youtube;Ye8LXPpvEXg]

 

[user 15387]

Servicing and cleaning the Raleigh Sports bottom bracket and bearings:

http://bikeshedva.blogspot.com/2014/02/servicing-and-cleaning-raleigh-sports.html

 

[user 15387]

The bike is assembled but road testing showed that the SW hub will need to be replaced. The transmission cams out in third gear under any sort of load at all. Second runs reasonably well and first runs a little rough. It likely needs new pawls, but I'm not putting any money or time into fixing it, as the SW is a known faulty design. The plan is to replace the SW with an FW four speed. I'll have to make up the spoke difference using some spoke and nipple washers, which are often a good idea anyway.

 

[LukeTheJoker]

Great looking bike!

Luke.

 

[user 15387]

The wheel is re-built but I blew a spoke while tensioning. I haven't done that in awhile, and it really makes you jump when it happens. Am working on replacing the spoke and getting the 4 speed wheel built. I have a nice brass faced SA shifter from the 1950s I can use. I will probably finish the wheel early next week if I get a chance.

In other news- I thought I'd make a little post about bottom bracket cotter pins:

http://bikeshedva.blogspot.com/2014/03/bicycle-cotter-pins.html

 

[user 15387]

The bicycle is coming together. I am now down to setting up the shifter with a fresh cable, rebuilding the pedals, and test riding. The plan at this point is to have it be a four speed with the 1956 FW hub and a 2:1 sprocket to cog ratio. It should climb like a chimp and be a good bike for hilly terrain as well as runs on the bike trail and around town.

http://bikeshedva.blogspot.com/2014/03/1958-raleigh-sports-bicycle-progress.html

 

[JimMendel]

Nice bike! Don't see many in that frame size. Raleigh chrome is some of the best.

 

[user 15387]

It's done. Lots of pictures are up on my blog, and here are just a few:

http://bikeshedva.blogspot.com/2014/03/1958-raleigh-sports-four-speed.html

 

[LukeTheJoker]

Really nice! That is a special bike.

Luke.

 

[user 15387]

1959 English Miller headlight converted to a 1200 Lumen LED with removable/rechargeable battery. Strap the battery on when you need it, disconnect it and put it in the saddle bag when you don't.

 

[LukeTheJoker]

Great execution on that light led integration, very cool, love the little leather battery pouch too!

Luke.