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Any suggestions on fixing a three-speed shifter on a bicycle? |
I got this great old bike, must be 20 years old, at a thrift store the other day, for just $25. It came with a little wear-and-tear, as could have been expected, but nothing so far that I couldn't fix myself... except for the gear shifter. When I was changing the tires, I think I messed it up. It seemed like it popped on and off again, but it very apparently doesn't... whenever I try to shift gears while riding, the chain pops off. D: Anybody have any idea what the problem might be? Is this a simple fix, or do I have to take this to the shop? Damian is correct, but since you didn't mention what brand hub you have it is difficult to help. Sturmey Archer will have a small chain protruding from the hub to shift, while Shimano will have an "L" shaped piece screwed on the end of the axle. Screw this piece off and there is a long rod. If you push it into the hub you'll note it is spring loaded. With Shimano, you should take both the L shape and the rod out of the hub, then tighten the rear wheel so that there is no slop in the chain. Reinsert the rod, and turn the L shape onto the hub until the little gizmo attached to the inside of it protrudes completely plus just enough to line up with the cable. Shift the shifter to 2nd gear. Attach the cable and turn it in until a little round mark appears in the window of the L. You are ready to go. Make sure that when you shift that you STOP pedalling, whether Shimano or Sturmey Archer. Source(s): 27 years in the industry buy a new one the chain is not aligned with the gear shifter that's why it pops off, try to fix tighten the cable connecting the shifter and the gears so that you can easily set it straight Easy fix mate. Sounds like your rig is running an old Strum & Archer three speed internally geared hub. Those old hubs are the best of British - practically nuke proof. Doubt your having chain alignment issues. there's not much to align. If the chains coming off it needs more tension. There should be a chain tensioning device on the chain side drop out which is the right hand pointy bit at the rear of the frame where the axle bolts on. You should see a long threaded bolt sticking out and a light metal plate which is looped over the hubs axle. Tighten the nut at the base of the threaded bolt which will force the whole wheel to sit further back in the frame's drop out and tension the chain. Tension the chain so that that when you put your fore finger on the top of the chain and your thumb on the bottom and apply pressure, the chain is not soft but nice and tight - springy with about 5mm of movement. Slosh some chain lube or fine machine oil on the chain and your good to go. The other reason why chains drop is that chains stretch and wear out - as do their chain rings - if that's the case you need new chain rings and a new chain - which will probably cost you more to buy and replace at a shop than what you actually paid for the rig ! Take to shop and have cables and housing replaced. They will adjust as well. P |
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