A blog viewer (Rino) has sent in a short story about his vintage bicycle.
The bike was a gift from my brother – as he knew I was looking and looking for an old 3 speed as a go to coffee and grocery store ride. When I got the bike home I looked her over and got to work. It was a slower process than I wanted but they usually are. So her is what I did:
PAINT: The paint was odd as it looked like a wood table when someone put a cold cup on it – with white fogged spots all over it. I wanted to keep a vintage weathered look so I steel wooled (0000) the paint and then used an automotive clear coat from Duplicolor (best in a can paint I have ever used). The bike came out great keeping the look I wanted.
WHEELS: The wheels were pretty thrashed and also mismatched, someone had put a Schwinn rear wheel on her. So after looking and looking I purchase rims from Velo Orange (650b), a totally rebuilt rear SA rear hub (1953). I went vintage Campy on the front hub, could not help that I’m Italian. I purchased the tires also from Velo.
CHROME: All the chrome was rusty, but nothing that hours with steel wool, chrome polish and buffing did not cure.
ACCESSORIES: The Brooks saddle was shot and now is hanging in my office as a wall ornament. But I wanted the bike to make sure that the bike would stand out. So I chose the honey Brooks saddle, hand grips and mud flaps. I was able to find a NOS rear rack which I then put Brooks oiled canvas bags on. Then to top it off I purchase NOS cyclometer, a vintage handle bar flash light and brass bell. I live in SoCal but the vintage bike license is from Hawaii – could not help that one, California had stickers for licenses and the plate is my birth year.
All in all I am really happy with the bike. I am tweaking here and there and a few repairs as just had to rebuild the bottom bracket. But she rides great and I get many compliments on her. I don’t know her age but the closest I found was late 60’s to early 70’s)
Thanks for your site! It is great to see the love and use of these old bikes.
September 6, 2014 | Categories: Uncategorized | Tags: Vintage Sunbeam 3 Speed | 7 Comments
Another 3 speed that popped up on Kijiji Toronto.


August 24, 2014 | Categories: Uncategorized | Tags: CCM, Sturmey Archer, vintage bicycle, Vintage Bikes For Sale, Vintage CCM | Leave a comment
This one popped up on Kijiji Toronto today @ $200.00. The ad claims it’s from 1953 but I think it’s a 70’s bike. Nice Brooks saddle.

June 15, 2013 | Categories: Uncategorized, vintage bicycles | Tags: 3 Speed Hub, Another Vintage Raleigh, Brooks Saddle, Raleigh, Sturmey Archer, Toronto Vintage Bicycle Show, vintage bicycle | 3 Comments
Raleigh made bikes for a number of different retailers to sell under their own in house brand. Western Flyer was one of them and sold through Western Auto stores throughout the US.
June 10, 2013 | Categories: Uncategorized, vintage bicycles | Tags: 3 Speed Hub, Raleigh, Sturmey Archer, vintage bicycle, Western Flyer Branded Raleigh | Leave a comment
Not a vintage bicycle but vintage in Spirit. Linus has introduced a tasteful repro headlight for their bikes. Saddle tool bag by Electra (vinyl), Brooks saddle and wooden rear rack from Canadian Tire.

June 2, 2013 | Categories: Uncategorized, vintage bicycles | Tags: Brooks Saddle, Linus Path Racer Update, Saddle tool bag by Electra | Leave a comment
There’s a guy who regularly has a couple of bikes for sale at the top of Sorauren Park. This is his latest offering. A mid 60’s CCM Imperial Tandem.
I don’t really see the point of these things but I suppose some find them charming…
I bought my first vintage 3 speed from him a few years a go. A Canadian built 1977 Raleigh Superbe which has proved to be a very reliable everyday bike.
The saddle bags have since been transferred to another Superbe.
June 2, 2013 | Categories: Uncategorized, vintage bicycles | Tags: 1977 Raleigh Superbe, 3 Speed Hub, CCM, CCM Imperial Tandem, Flyte Accessories, Raleigh, Sturmey Archer, vintage bicycle | 1 Comment
This showed up on Kijiji Toronto this morning and I can’t find anything about it on the interweb.

May 31, 2013 | Categories: Uncategorized, vintage bicycles | Tags: 1967 Golden Hawk 3 Speed, 3 Speed Hub, Sturmey Archer, vintage bicycle | Leave a comment
This one’s just come up on Kijiji Toronto @ $150.00. It appears to be original and in nice condition.
May 29, 2013 | Categories: Uncategorized, vintage bicycles | Tags: 3 Speed Hub, CCM, CCM Galaxie 3 Speed, Sturmey Archer, vintage bicycle | Leave a comment
This bike is currently for sale on Kijiji Toronto @ $500.00. Considering that the bike is tall, comes with a leather saddle, pump, bag, Dynohub, period horn and the key, the price is reasonable.

May 28, 2013 | Categories: Uncategorized, vintage bicycles | Tags: 3 Speed Hub, Brooks Saddle, Dynohub, Original and Complete Raleigh Superbe, Raleigh, Raleigh Superbe, Sturmey Archer, vintage bicycle | 2 Comments
Despite the fact that I have several very nice English 3 speeds I tend to ride these 3 Rat Bikes more often. They were all virtually free.
The 67 Dunelt @ $40.00, The green CCM/Supercycle (free from the trash) and the 69 CCM Galaxie ($39.00 in trade).
It’s probably because I’ve invested more of my time into these and I’m not too concerned with their appearance.

May 20, 2013 | Categories: Uncategorized | Tags: 3 Speed Hub, CCM, CCM Galaxie, Dunelt, Rat Bike Trio, Sturmey Archer, Supercycle, vintage bicycle | 1 Comment
We have a firm date for this year’s show. Sunday, July 28th at Trinity Bellwoods Park here in Toronto. for more information contact the Community Bicycle Network.
May 3, 2013 | Categories: Uncategorized | Tags: 1963 CCM Imperial Mark ll, 1968 Hercules 3 speed, CCM, CCM Accessories, CCM Galaxie, CCM Imperial 700, Dunelt, Eaton's Glider, Flyte Accessories, Raleigh, the Community Bicycle Network, Toronto Vintage Bicycle Show, Vintage Accessories, vintage bicycle | Leave a comment
This top end model comes equipped with rod and drum brakes.
April 29, 2013 | Categories: Uncategorized | Tags: 1965 Raleigh Dawn Tourist, 3 Speed Hub, Raleigh, Sturmey Archer, vintage bicycle | Leave a comment
Gin and Tonic anyone?
Don’t drink and ride, you might fall off.
April 11, 2013 | Categories: Uncategorized | Tags: Bicycle with a Built In Drink Cabinet | Leave a comment