Sun Super 5

[Cycleops]

When fitting the new chain formula is big cog front to big cog rear omitting the derailleur plus two links.

 

[Tim330]

Thanks I’ll try the chain first. If I have to replace the freewheel, that’s all 5 cogs? New ok for this age?

 

[raleighnut]

Thanks I’ll try the chain first. If I have to replace the freewheel, that’s all 5 cogs? New ok for this age?

Yep, freewheels are a consumable like tyres etc but don't go for a cheapo one as fitted to BSOs to this day.

 

[Tim330]

Any suggestions for good quality that would still work with the old mech?

 

[raleighnut]

Any suggestions for good quality that would still work with the old mech?

Is it a 5 or a 6 speed fitted presently?

 

[Tim330]

5. That’s all that was fitted to the original too.

 

[raleighnut]

5. That’s all that was fitted to the original too.

Unless you can find someone with a NOS Maillard or similar you might be stuffed, Suntour make one still but they're a bit low budget since they were bought by the far east (I can't remember exactly which country they're based in now but they bought Sturmey Archer too)

 

[midlife]

Sunrace make good freewheels, stole sturmey archer tooling many years ago lol. About a tenner....


https://www.spacycles.co.uk/m2b0s112p1266/SUNRACE-5-Speed-Freewheel

 

[Tim330]

Found these on Ebay, not sure about the difference between indexed and non indexed though.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/50-s-60-...PROCKET-CAS-/202609142029?hash=item2f2c72290d

 

[Cycleops]

Should be fine.

 

[Tim330]

Thanks for the advice about the old bike. I successfully fitted new chain, cables, pedals and replaced the V brakes with original style which look correct and route the cables correctly. It’s working well and I’ll regroup the bars and fit new tyres in the spring.

With the winter here, I’m thinking of using it on a turbo trainer for a few months, but I need to change the rear axle nuts to accommodate the trainer, which usually works on a quick release skewer. Does anyone know if the threads on these bikes would have been metric or imperial?
(don’t have any similar sized nuts to try ATM)
Amazon product ASIN B000NNRBLUView: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Tacx-Axle-Non-Quick-Release-Wheels/dp/B000NNRBLU/ref=sr_1_3?dchild=1&keywords=Turbo+trainer+adapter+nut&qid=1577188156&sr=8-3

 

[Illaveago]

There is a spring tensioner fitted to the idler gears on the rear mech . I think it is marked 24 28 . It allows you to tension the chain by un clipping the spring and moving it up or down a notch .

 

[Illaveago]

The cycle looks very similar to a BSA Tour de France .

 

[Spokesmann]

A late Sun. Nice enough but badge engineered low end Raleigh. A sad end to a once great marque. This machine will scrub up well and should make a nice ride. Give it some love.

 

[SkipdiverJohn]

A late Sun. Nice enough but badge engineered low end Raleigh.

Even the low end Raleighs from the lugged steel era were decent enough bikes to be reliable and durable. I had a Raleigh Arena as a youngster, which was a basic hi-tensile (18-23 or was it 20-30 steel?) job with cottered cranks and steel rims. It was no featherweight but it rode well nonetheless - and it was tough as old boots.