Jem
Viscount
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Posts: 3,390 
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Post by Jem on May 10, 2014 15:43:09 GMT
I went to pick this one up today, and very glad that I did. It is very clean, well looked after and in very good condition. Three SA gears - I haven't had those since I was about 12 years old. The folding mechanism is incredibly practical and simple. It literally takes seconds, and then 10 seconds to twist the bars and drop the seat and hey presto! The chap who was selling it was a really nice bloke and a real 'bike guy'. He is going to keep his eye out for Lambert/Viscount for me now. This bike is mainly going to be stowed away in the camper van for use when we go away on trips and need to nip and get a few provisions. Check the bottom photo.It's reassuring to know the tyres are designed to run on a 'Standard Britisch Hub'  20" white wall tyres are readily available?  photo 1 by Sooper 8, on Flickr  photo 2 by Sooper 8, on Flickr  photo 3 by Sooper 8, on Flickr  photo 4 by Sooper 8, on Flickr  photo 5 by Sooper 8, on Flickr  photo 5 by Sooper 8, on Flickr |
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Post by Stella on May 10, 2014 16:06:15 GMT
Cute little one and inn great shape. As you're mentioning it: I'm building (customer's restoration project) a wheel set with a 3-speed SA at the moment. Most folders are 3-speed SA, and I absolutely LOVE the grips shifters on some of them. A pain to work on if you haven't come across them before. lol As for tyres: Raleigh does them as they've got 20" folders. Or fleabay. www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Raleigh-Cycle-White-Wall-Bike-Tyre-20-x-1-3-8-37-451-NEW-/231148772294What's the date on the SA hub? That'll tell you what year the bike's from. |
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Jem
Viscount
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Posts: 3,390
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Post by Jem on May 10, 2014 17:00:22 GMT
What's the date on the SA hub? That'll tell you what year the bike's from. Thanks for that link. They look good and not a bad price.(when you factor in free p&p) The SA hub has 'AW' on it, is that what you refer to? EDIT - I see that it has '74 on hub now. So 1974 made hub |
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Post by cusqueno on May 10, 2014 17:38:24 GMT
AW is the model. It was the most common type in the 70s (if not the only one SA made then). The W means wide ratio. I can't remember if the A signified anything. As is often the case, Sheldon Brown's site has probably all you could want to know about SA gears. He is also very good on small wheeled folders like the Raleigh 20. Incidentally, there are two different sizes of wheel called 20". Most Raleigh 20s in the UK have 451mm wheels, for which the tyres are measured in fractions of inches, like 20x1 3/8". Others, including most BMX bikes, have 406mm wheels, for which the tyre sizes are given in decimals, such as 20x2.25". Just to be aware. Sheldon Brown also explains tyre sizing in detail!
I have most of the bits of a Delta at the back of the shed. Seems well made - the chrome is very good. Must put it together. Perhaps for DFR3?
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Jem
Viscount
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Posts: 3,390
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Post by Jem on May 10, 2014 18:25:47 GMT
AW is the model. It was the most common type in the 70s (if not the only one SA made then). The W means wide ratio. I can't remember if the A signified anything. As is often the case, Sheldon Brown's site has probably all you could want to know about SA gears. He is also very good on small wheeled folders like the Raleigh 20. Incidentally, there are two different sizes of wheel called 20". Most Raleigh 20s in the UK have 451mm wheels, for which the tyres are measured in fractions of inches, like 20x1 3/8". Others, including most BMX bikes, have 406mm wheels, for which the tyre sizes are given in decimals, such as 20x2.25". Just to be aware. Sheldon Brown also explains tyre sizing in detail! I have most of the bits of a Delta at the back of the shed. Seems well made - the chrome is very good. Must put it together. Perhaps for DFR3? Thanks for that information. So, will that eBay link for tyres that Stella posted be ok for it? I like the look of them, and these don't look like they're long for this world. |
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Post by whippet on May 10, 2014 18:47:07 GMT
Great looking bike Jem and just the job for the motorhome.
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Post by velocipete on May 10, 2014 18:53:20 GMT
Jem they're fine.Schwalbe do a Durano that fits fine,I use them on my soap box racer!
If you want to keep up with the bunch,I'd recommend them.
I'll enjoy seeing that at DFR2.
Cheers,
Pete.
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Post by sprockit on May 11, 2014 23:28:01 GMT
Great find Jem, and bike looks mint in the pictures.
Sturmey Archer AW (Series A, i.e. 3-speed, Wide ratio) shell will also have another figure stamped on it giving the month of manufacture.
Mrs Sprockit's La Scala is stamped 5/81 for May 1981, but as Stella points out, the date is for the manufacture of the hub shell.
My BSA commute/hack bike has a 3-speed Sturmey Archer gear hub (March 1964) and is great for the awkward uphill right turn across traffic that I have to make to turn into work. If I need to stop going uphill, I can change down into 1st gear whilst stationary, making for an easy resumption of pedalling.
Compared to derailleurs, the gear ratios will seem miles apart at first, but you'll find the bike ideal for nipping here and there.
Different sizes of rear sprocket are available should you want to alter the overall gearing, and only take 10 to 15 minutes to change.
Don't over fill the gear hub with oil like I did - and ended up with an oil slick on the floor!! About 6 to 10 drops of 3-in-1 will suffice.
It's the gear of choice for me, and I love to be out riding on a nice sunny day with the only sound being the tick, tick, tick of the gear pawls. It's the sound of summer for me!
Regards,
Sprockit
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Jem
Viscount
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Posts: 3,390
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Post by Jem on May 12, 2014 5:34:21 GMT
Great find Jem, and bike looks mint in the pictures. Sturmey Archer AW (Series A, i.e. 3-speed, Wide ratio) shell will also have another figure stamped on it giving the month of manufacture. Mrs Sprockit's La Scala is stamped 5/81 for May 1981, but as Stella points out, the date is for the manufacture of the hub shell. My BSA commute/hack bike has a 3-speed Sturmey Archer gear hub (March 1964) and is great for the awkward uphill right turn across traffic that I have to make to turn into work. If I need to stop going uphill, I can change down into 1st gear whilst stationary, making for an easy resumption of pedalling. Compared to derailleurs, the gear ratios will seem miles apart at first, but you'll find the bike ideal for nipping here and there. Different sizes of rear sprocket are available should you want to alter the overall gearing, and only take 10 to 15 minutes to change. Don't over fill the gear hub with oil like I did - and ended up with an oil slick on the floor!! About 6 to 10 drops of 3-in-1 will suffice. It's the gear of choice for me, and I love to be out riding on a nice sunny day with the only sound being the tick, tick, tick of the gear pawls. It's the sound of summer for me! Regards, Sprockit The guy who I bought it off was a classic bike guy (aged 58) and he had a Bob Jackson and an SA? Gallet (Gallut?)1950's which he'd made a superb job of. It had the most amazing cut out through the top of the fork. He also sprayed it himself and done a great job.I wish I'd taken a photo now. Anyway, he had obviously looked after this bike and maintained it but his wife wasn't interested. When I got it home, I brought it straight in the house, and sure enough next morning a tiny oil slick on the floor (luckily, laminate floor, so easy wipe off), so I hear what you say about going steady on the oil fill. I like your poetic phrase regarding the tick tick tick being the sound of summer. My uncle was the bike guy in our family (he'd be nearly 100 now if he were still alive) and was the one who introduced me to cycling. We used to go off in the summer to fetes and summer fares on our bikes. Before that I had a home made seat on the cross bar of his big old vintage Humber from the age of about 4. The was very patient, teaching me how to mend punctures and explaining why my deliberate skidding on the gravel path was wearing the tyre away into bold patches. So the sound has many deep and fond memories for me too. |
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Jem
Viscount
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Posts: 3,390
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Post by Jem on May 14, 2014 15:06:45 GMT
I ventured out today, taking the Delta into it's natural habitat- side streets and to the local mini CoOp store. I only did just over 2 miles but I can safely say this - if there weren't many hills, I could spend all day on it. The saddle is so comfy it's like sitting in a leather bound, sprung vintage motorbike seat. I don't actually have the full lycra racing gear but when I jumped on it I did think what a lark it would be to get in the Team Sky Wiggo style lycra gear plus helmet for a trip to the shops- I reckon it would provoke a few looks? Bag on the back detaches and has handles! Pure joy!  photo by Sooper 8, on Flickr |
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Post by velocipete on May 14, 2014 15:50:33 GMT
Team Delta pelloton at DFR2?
Cheers,
Pete.
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Jem
Viscount
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Posts: 3,390
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Post by Jem on May 14, 2014 16:05:29 GMT
Team Delta pelloton at DFR2? Cheers, Pete. I will have it with me for sure. I was planning to ride my Deore 18AX as I don't think there will be another one at the Rally and feel that a good spread of models is always a good think. But, who knows, I might be able to persuade my wife to ride it... |
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Post by velocipete on May 14, 2014 17:24:29 GMT
You're a braver man than I am Gunga Dinn!!!
Cheers,
Pete.
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Post by sprockit on May 14, 2014 19:14:48 GMT
Jem,
Here's a plan: the day after DFR2 we should have DFR3 - for Viscount folding bikes!!!!
Sprockit
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Jem
Viscount
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Posts: 3,390
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Post by Jem on May 14, 2014 21:23:50 GMT
Jem, Here's a plan: the day after DFR2 we should have DFR3 - for Viscount folding bikes!!!! Sprockit Would it just be the pair of us? Any other 'folders' out there? |
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bendo
Viscount
Posts: 538
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Post by bendo on May 14, 2014 21:37:30 GMT
Aaargh! Another DFR that I would miss! Or should that be a VFR? I can see the custom team jersey bearing the proud motto... "oil lightly - often."  b |
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Post by Stella on May 14, 2014 22:50:07 GMT
Jem, if you or your wife rides the folder, you can put sandwiches and beer into the bags. Just in case we get dry throats on the first 9 miles :-)
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b