Yep, somebody must have changed it at some point. That's a bummer. Make sure you try to find the teardrop reflector too (probably more important to get that as it's completely missing. Finding rebuilt 2-speed hubs isn't too difficult, as they were pretty common. Try
Memory Lane Classics; they often have rebuilt red-band two-speed kickback hubs. Also, search eBay for the reflector. I see them come up for auction all the time, in new condition. There's one seller in particular that seems to always be selling them.
Long ago I posted an explanation of the various Bendix single and two-speed hubs, but I have no idea where. Fortunately I saved my original notes, so here is explanation that unravels the mystery of the single red band Bendix hub, and the triple red, yellow and blue band hubs (2-speeds). I also have maintenance manuals for all of these.
BENDIX HUB EXPLANATION
Single-Speed Hubs
Original Model Single Speed Coaster Brake
- No colored bands on hub
- Manufactured from 1946 to April 1961
- Fixed gear 1:1 ratio (1 sprocket turn = 1 hub turn)
Model RB-2 Single Speed Coaster Brake
- Identified by a single Red band on hub
- Manufactured beginning in April 1961. Basically an updated Original Model, with many parts interchangeable with the Original Model.
- Fixed gear 1:1 ratio (1 sprocket turn = 1 hub turn)
Automatic Two-Speed Hubs
Automatic Two-Speed Hubs were first introduced in 1962, and are identified by three colored bands – either Red, Yellow or Blue.
The
triple Red Band hub was made from 1962-1964 and had a low gear added. It was discontinued with the introduction of the triple Yellow Band hub.
- Red Band low gear ratio is 1:0.67 (1 sprocket turn = 0.67 hub turn)
- Red Band high gear ratio is 1:1 (1 sprocket turn = 1 hub turn) the same as the fixed gear ratio on the single-speed hubs.
The
triple Yellow and Blue Band hubs were made from 1965-1969 after the triple Red Band was phased out, and had different gear ratios from each other.
The
triple Yellow Band hub was an updated triple Red Band, having some interchangeable parts with the triple Red Band as well as the same gear ratios.
- Yellow Band low gear ratio is 1:0.67 (same as Red Band)
- Yellow Band high gear ratio is 1:0 (same as Red Band)
The
triple Blue Band hub was geared completely differently than the triple Red or Yellow Band hubs. Its low gear provided the same ‘fixed’ ratio (1:1) as the high gear of the Red or Yellow band hubs, but its high gear created a hub rotation greater than its sprocket rotation, and it was referred to as “Overdrive”.
- Blue Band low gear ratio is 1:1 (same as the high gear of the triple Red & Yellow Band hubs, or the fixed gear ratio of the single Red Band hub)
- Blue Band high gear ratio is 1:1.5 (1 sprocket turn = 1.5 hub turns)