1973 Raleigh Superbe
Another recent listing on Kijiji, Toronto. Owner is asking for best offer.
Vintage BSA Bicycle
Not a 3 speed but a good looking bike, all the same. Spotted on St. Patrick Street yesterday.
BSA stands for Birmingham Small Arms and the logo is 3 crossed rifles.
BSA made guns before they got into bicycles and motorcycles.
1964 Glider 3 Speed
Last post on this one until spring.
I found and old Speedic leather saddle and managed to restore it somewhat with liberal doses of Proofide from Brooks.
A pair of old Raleigh black rubber grips replaced the original red plastic ones.
A 22 tooth cog on the rear hub.
Raleigh Tourist For Sale
Saw this one on Craigs List Toronto today.
Appears to be very clean @ $400.00.
1964 Glider Update
Last Sunday’s shakedown ride proved to be a bit of a disaster.
I had to stop en route to buy some wrenches to tighten various bolts (I needed a new set anyway and they were on sale).
Then the NOS brake cables I’d put on started to bind really badly. I think the ferrules were too small and were getting twisted in their housing.
Finally I locked the bike up outside the El Mocambo to see some (work related) wrestling and when I came out some Jackass had locked his bike to mine!!!
I killed some time in Kensington but when I returned it was still locked so I removed the Brooks saddle and the hand pump and took the streetcar home.
In any case, I got the bike back the next day and replaced the brake cables with some refurbished Sturmey Archer originals I had in the garage.
I’m still on the lookout for a mini fender (or fenderette) for the front wheel.
Today’s ride was a success and it’s one of the cleanest shifting hubs I’ve had.
Even though I like the look of the inverted handle bars, I find them uncomfortable.
I’ll probably flip them back to their normal position.
1964 Glider Update.
Here are some before photos of the bike that was purchased in Dundas Ontario last week.
I had a very productive day gathering supplies and parts for this current project.
After a thorough cleaning I started to re assemble.
A few new spokes on the back wheel, the bottom bracket got new bearings and was repacked as well as the stem bearings.
I re-used the original tubes but already had some new tires in the shed.
I find that old inner tubes hold the pressure better than modern ones.
Mini fender supplied by George (the bike shop at the foot of Fraser).
Also had an old style thumb shifter in the garage.
I also installed a bigger cog on the rear wheel. I’ll try it out and see…
New vintage style pedals from Martin at Hoop Driver Bicycles on College.
More updates to follow.
All new cables and a new chain.
I like the old style 3 speed cable system with the carrier wheel at the back. I’m just missing the little hard plastic “stop” that holds the cable housing. I’ve made a temporary one out of a rubber grommet and a brake ferrule but will look for the proper piece today.
Total cost of this project to date:
Bicycle and vintage pump $100
New chain $14.00
New pedals $20.00
Assorted used parts $20.00
Cables/tires/pads and saddle I already had on hand.
Time to put together: Priceless!
1964 Eatons Glider 3 Speed
A picked up another little project this week, a 1964 Eaton’s Glider 3 speed (made by Raleigh).
More to follow as the bike progresses.
The bike’s been stripped down (the easy part) and I quite like the frame. Time to work on the bottom bracket and start to clean and re assemble.
SuperCycle 3 Speed
A viewer from Lakefield sent me some photos and a request to date her Canadian built Supercycle 3 speed. She writes:
I bought two matching bicycles, Supercycle, and was wondering if you might know where I could find info re: age, etc. I do have the serial numbers (E followed by six numbers). I’ve attached some pictures. I’m going away for a few weeks so if you do happen to have information on these bikes I would appreciate it. Thanks!
Anita, Lakefield ON
The bike is identical to one that I pulled out of the trash a few years ago.
I quite like the green/chartreuse colour but I swapped the Shimano 333 hub and shifter for a Sturmey Archer system.
My bike with a CCM chain ring. This colour was quite popular and I’ve seen a few versions of this same frame.
It’s a two colour application with a silver base and then the green on top.
A nice 10 speed below.
CCM supplied bikes to Canadian Tire that were re branded as Supercycles. Other suppliers include Raleigh and Bridgestone.
The bikes were often assembled from old stock.
Vintage CCM provides the chart below.
This would date your bike frame as being built in 1973 and possibly being sold in 1974 or 1975 (my guess).
Unlike Sturmey Archer, Shimano didn’t stamp a date on their hubs.
This want ad popped up on Kijiji today.
Ray writes:
“I saw this bike on the street in very good condition and was wondering how
many of these are sitting in the basements or garages of houses in Toronto.
It is a 10 speed with a seat called Speedic.
I think I paid $60 for it back in the mid-seventies…at Canadian Tire you
can buy a new 18 speed mountain bike for $99, today…go figure. “
A well preserved Speedic sadldle, a Brooks knock off made in Japan.
Ray writes:
“They are “sharp/detail/colour accurate” pics and with the bike being in such good condition (especially the
seat) it just brought back a great memory of a 13 year old purchasing a bike
that was far too big. I rode it, re-painted it (red) and had it stolen one day after
school while I was taking driving lessons offered by the school.”
Same colour but made in Japan.
Here’s another one for sale in Kingston Ontario.
Hope this helps.
Rudge DL-1, Britain’s Best Bicycle!
Unusual and eclectic export model made for the Caribbean/ South/Central American market, 7 years after Raleigh dropped the Rudge name in the US and UK markets.
I’d like to find one of these.
Photo by Kevin Millar.
Bike Show Update
I did manage to sell a bike at the show. This 1953 Humphrey (CCM) found a good home and on the plus side, I didn’t buy a bike!
I did buy a vintage saddlebag for old faithful, my mid 70’s Canadian built Superbe.
Raleigh Superbe 3 Speed
Another tall Superbe that may be for sale tomorrow at the Toronto Vintage Bicycle Show.
1965 CCM Imperial 700 3 Speed
This bike was purchased at the Toronto Vintage Bike Show last year. The owner is a young Actor friend who wishes to remain anonymous (for obvious reasons). He used it in a short film and literally beat the hell out of it.
It was given a quick fix and is ready to ride again.
Note the period correct sparkle hand grips.
1949 Raleigh Dawn Tourist
This 1949 Raleigh Dawn Tourist may very well be at the Toronto Vintage Bicycle Show this Sunday.
Asking price, a reasonable $400.00
Old Bicycle Shop on King Street
R.G. McLeod Bicycles.
There was a famous Toronto cyclist named Rob McLeod.
At the 1933 Canadian Cycling Championships Bob McLeod won all three official races (half-mile, mile and two-mile) and George Crompton finished second in the two-mile race. In June 1934 Crompton, McLean and McLeod finished second, third and fourth in a championship race at the Canadian National Exhibition track.
McLeod represented Canada at the 1934 British Empire Games (Commonwealth Games). He surprised the world by beating a very strong field to win the premier cycling event of the games – the 10-mile race. In addition McLeod came second in the time trial.
When he returned home McLeod received a hero’s welcome. He was carried up Bay St. in flag draped chair by a large group of Toronto messengers (including Crompton and McLean) to the CNT messenger office.
All three CNT messengers continued to race each other in 1934 while trading victories at various distances. Crompton and McLeod would be crowned Canadian champions in 1936 and they would go on to represent Canada at the 1936 Olympics in Berlin.
The store carried Meteor and Falcon bicycles.
Ladies Raliegh 3 Speed with Rod Brakes
Not sure what this model is ( looks like a Superbe) but a very cool bike at a reasonable price. It has a rear Dynohub as well. Listed on Kijiji Toronto @ $ 270.00.
3 Speed Supercycle
A clean and original 3 speed Supercycle, circa 1965. Note the period correct cable braids.
Currently listed on Kijiji Toronto @ $175.00
J.C. Higgins 3 Speed
A British built 3 speed for the for Sears, A J.C. Higgins from the early to mid 1960’s. Note the nicely broken in leather saddle. Listed for $175.00 on Kijiji Toronto.
New Home for an Old Friend
This Supercycle 3 speed, pulled from the trash 3 years ago, has found a new owner in Hamilton and is currently getting a make over. Photos to follow soon.
Coming soon, the Third Annual Toronto Vintage Bicycle Show!
Sunday July 27th at Trinity Bellwoods Park, Toronto.
The work in progress below.
Below the almost finished bike.
A NOS CCM chain ring!
Vintage Bikes For Sale
There’s a guy in my neighbourhood (Parkdale) that always has a few vintage bikes for sale. I bought my first Raleigh 3 speed from him a few years ago and he delivered it to my house.
He locks them up at the north end of Sorauren Park or sometimes on Roncesvalles.
Here’s his latest offering. A tall Raleigh Sports 3 Speed.
Three Speed Mania 