Picked this up over the summer as a bike to tool around on when I visit my folks. I freaking love this thing. It has a Sturmey Archer SW hub dated 1958, not sure if the frame is actually that old. The SW hub is a little finicky–they didn’t make them for very long and they had a reputation for sucking, but after I got this one dialed in it feels so great.
by pottyguy
5 Comments
Very nice. And I like your non-traditional way of mounting a frame bag on the seat tube rather than the top tube.
It all looks correct for a 1958. That frame bag is where it belongs. That’s in nice shape for a 65 year old bike.
I have a 1957 Rudge brochure. That looks to be a model 111 Super Safety.
Cable tension is key to having the 3 speed work correctly. Shift into 3rd then tighten cable to where it’s just barely got tension on it.
Have you serviced the hub? I’m curious what’s the difference between SW vs AW. I recently serviced one of there TCW III hubs, lot of fun cracking those old hubs open.
Also if your interested in using that dynamo on the front I highly recommend replacing the old bulbs with modern LED replacement. They are brighter and start working at walking pace. https://www.ebay.com/itm/323978519250?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-127632-2357-0&ssspo=WpFTroKSSPy&sssrc=4429486&ssuid=LXqRFbDyS4q&var=&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY
Love the look of this bike! 👍