Sturmey FW springs

[rogerzilla]

I have a couple of near-mint FW hubs which (presumably from having been parked in a low gear for decades) have short compensating springs, under 1 1/2" long excluding the collar. This means second gear slips.

Can the springs be stretched to get them back into spec (at least 1 9/16")? The service manual says "fit new spring set" but they have been obsolete for 52 years!

I could send the hubs to a specialist but I don't need a rebuilding service, just the springs!

 

[midlife]

They might be donkeys years old but BITD we had drawer fulls of SA spares. Are they for sale somewhere, I guess there must be some kicking about.

 

[rogerzilla]

They might be donkeys years old but BITD we had drawer fulls of SA spares. Are they for sale somewhere, I guess there must be some kicking about.

None on the Bay of Thieves, and none in Sold Items either, which suggests they're uncommon.

 

[classic33]

These them?
https://www.sjscycles.co.uk/hub-spares/sturmey-archer-pawl-spring-r-spring-hsa120/


https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/203101497181

 

[Chris S]

People on the Sturmey Archer Facebook page make their own. Electric guitar strings seem to be the favorite material.

 

[rogerzilla]

These them?
https://www.sjscycles.co.uk/hub-spares/sturmey-archer-pawl-spring-r-spring-hsa120/


https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/203101497181

No, a compensating spring is a small, long, coil spring that goes inside the hollow axle.

 

[FrankCrank]

I'd be tempted to stretch them back and see if it works.

 

[rogerzilla]

The spring rate is quite critical, I think - selection of 2nd gear relies on one spring overcoming another. For a small spring, it is quite stiff.