Sturmey archer set up please

[wisdom]

As per title.
My old Raleigh 3 speed nipping to shops bike is really tight to put into 1st although it goes in to the gear ok but sometimes slips back up into second.What's the correct method for setting up the toggle chain please?

 

[iandg]

Long time since I played with SA 3 spd but IIRC you put the lever in 3rd and adjust the cable to take out the slack but not put tension on the cable.

 

[classic33]

As per title.
My old Raleigh 3 speed nipping to shops bike is really tight to put into 1st although it goes in to the gear ok but sometimes slips back up into second.What's the correct method for setting up the toggle chain please?

The end of the rod should be visible in the holes, level with the end of the axle, when in second, when second is selected on the gear lever.

 

[raleighnut]

I'm another 3rd gear and take out most of the slack, works on mine.

 

[mjr]

The end of the rod should be visible in the holes, level with the end of the axle, when in second, when second is selected on the gear lever.
View attachment 353021

^^ this. Second gear and line up the rod and axle ends. Then shift up and down to check it's held. Any other method is fraught with potential pain: the notorious accidental neutral on older hubs and a bent plate on newer ones.

If that method doesn't work then you may have the wrong push rod (aka indicator rod) for your axle length and it would be good to get the correct one if possible. They're still in the Raleigh catalogues so most local bike shops can order them in.

 

[rogerzilla]

The official method only works if you have the correct indicator spindle fitted; they come in at least 5 lengths to go with different axle lengths. Otherwise, ensure the neutral is exactly halfway between 2 and 3 and it will be correct.

Old Bike Trader has them all and Derek will advise which you need if yoh telk him your axle length. The standard axle is 5 3/4" and takes the shortest HSA125 "mark 1" indicator but Sturmeys now go up to 175mm axles which need a "mark 5".

 

[wisdom]

Thanks all will give it a go this weekend

 

[wisdom]

Took your advise and all is well thank you.
Last time I had anything with sturmey archer gears was 45 yrs ago and my dad did the maintainance then.If I remember right chains were cleaned in paraffin from the ironmongers and oiled with 3 in 1 think that was about all they needed.
It's quite nostalgic to hear the tick ticking of the freewheel.

 

[rogerzilla]

Sturmeys also click when pedalling in gears 2 and 3 because the planet cage is still turning but its pawls are overdriven by the shell.

 

[TheDoctor]

Even the special Brompton wide range hub ticks in second and third.
It's a nice sound.

 

[mjr]

It stops ticking for a while after you refill it with oil but restarts once enough has dribbled out.

 

[TheDoctor]

The oil damps the pawls, I suspect.