1967 Raleigh Sprite with S5 5 Speed

[3-speeder]

I started working on my '67 Raleigh Sprite. I picked this one up from a small farm in Northern Michigan. It is a twin to another 67 Sprite that I have and originally I thought that I might swap some parts around to have one A-grade bike and one B-grade bike but after I rehabbed my first Sprite I decided that wasn't really necessary. Here are some before pictures to get this thread rolling.

 

[3-speeder]

You can see from the pictures that this bike is missing the left side components for shifting it into ultra-high and ultra-low. Likely it was being used as a 3-speed as you can see the standard SA shifter on the bars. Since the time of purchase I have picked up a few of the parts that I need to return it to a five speed and also a nice new Brooks B67 "Aged" saddle. The tear down is going well with the small surprise of the crunched chain stays under the kickstand mounting. Ugly but not critically damaged. I pumped up the tires for the "before" pics a week ago and the tubes are still holding air. The gum walls are shot of course but I'll salvage the tubes. I am currently soaking the void around the cotters one side at a time and will attempt removal of the first one tonight and then soak the other side until tomorrow evening. I wiped down the frame, fenders and guard and they're looking pretty nice. I'll get some pics of that up next.

 

[SirMike1983]

That's typical for some of the 1960s era stands. Nothing terrible, just an annoyance.

 

[3-speeder]

Cotter for the drive side crank and chainwheel came out without too much trouble. Soaking the other cotter now. After looking closely at the frame's top tube I can't see where it ever had a Sprite decal. I'll try to get some pic's of that next. Here are the parts after a wipe down with a shop rag. My new project supervisor has me keeping the shop cleaner than ever. No oil and grease or rust and metal shavings laying around.

 

[FICHT 150]

My son and my garage helper. The garage helper looks for cans of beer left at her level, and “helps” herself to them.

Ted

 

[3-speeder]

I got the other cotter out no problem and have the bottom bracket cups out and then took the headset apart. The stem was stuck a bit but came out with some effort. Next up is soaking and then cleaning the ball bearings and everywhere they rest. Just took the front hub apart and the front axle is a little bent but I do have a replacement. I'll have to see how the cones and cups look after cleaning.

 

[3-speeder]

Progress has been slow but I am getting things cleaned up. Front hub is cleaned and ready for fresh grease. Rear hub is halfway there. The non-drive side is cleaned, greased and assembled while the drive side is cleaned and waiting on the grease and reassembly. Bottom bracket is ready to go. Seems the more that I get done, the more I want to do.

 

[FICHT 150]

If you get this far into the hub....

My friend Paul took this photo of three different Sun Dog gears, also called dog clutches, from Sturmey 5 speed hubs. The version on the left comes in an S5-2, has no cuts on the shoulders, and is super positive when engaged. If it takes longer to engage in the hub, I can’t tell.
A worthwhile modification to an earlier S5 hub. Use the Bikesmith spring on the Hi-Lo side, remember, pulley wheels make everything work better. The STO sells metal pulleys and fulcrum stops, better than plastic, and better than being stuck in third gear when either plastic component breaks on a long ride. My Lake Pepin Tour 5 Speed Sports does have a pulley wheel for each side.

Ted

 

[SirMike1983]

Looks like the front hub cups are in good condition. Spindle looks decent too. One of the best feelings is cleaning the project up and finding smooth cups, cones, and spindles. (And one of the worst is opening a project up and finding you're in need of replacements).

 

[3-speeder]

I was happy to find the cups and cones and other bearing surfaces were nice and shiny and showed no signs of pitting. The only little hiccup was that the front axle was bent up slightly at the ends but I have a nice replacement for it.

I haven't gotten any deeper than the driver when it comes to cleaning etc. So far that's all my SA hubs have needed. Really love em. Just a nice working durable piece of machinery. If I had to I guess I would.