1954 Lenton Sports build thread

[Woz]

How did those brake cables work .... like end nipple wise?

 

[pwebb]

How did those brake cables work .... like end nipple wise?

Lol search me guv'nor, I have ridden it in it's present state and would summarise it as 'precarious' now I know, thanks to above helpful post, what the cabling ought to be like, I will replace the Heath Robinson arrangements with something more planned than accidental. I think braking needs a big rethink as I have plans involving different rims and some functional brakes and gears plus hoping to shed 5-10 kilos in the process! I must admit I find frames with no braze-ons a bit of a mental challenge to decide on cabling, but on the other hand you could say it's a blank canvas, all the original bits on these frames were seemingly secured on with just simple wraparound clips and screws so first task is to take it back to bare frame and see what the scope is to put this on the road with an unmolested frameset but less than dangerous componentry.

 

[Guinessisgoodforyou]

They have a nipple both ends. When the cables needed replacing you cut one off, then used a solder less nipple which has a grub screw. Centre pull brakes are your friend

 

[pwebb]

finished prep of the frame, cleaned and protected with matt clear coat - blank canvas...



... nice frameset once you remove all the heavy bits

 

[pwebb]

Ok - need some more help please -
I have acquired some nice retro alloy wheels that are a good match in terms of looks and have solid axles etc. are aok in terms of axle length, however - the original steel Raleigh wheels have spindle axles that have a flattened profile that fits exactly into the rear dropouts and also in the very slender front fork dropouts ... the replacement wheels have axles with a round profile and wont fit in either rear or front as a result - there is probably only a few thou. difference but faced with a dilemma, since I dont want to file the frame or fork dropouts - they are already thin and don't have much spare material . I could attempt to file down the axles on one side of the new wheels and attempt to take off enough to get the axles to slide in ? Or I could try to find some vintage axles with the flat profile and hope that the new cones will go straight on ? Has anyone done this before and if so, how did you resolve it? thx

 

[Guinessisgoodforyou]

The front wheel will usually use Raleighs proprietary stepped cones. I've filed spindles before.

 

[pwebb]

The front wheel will usually use Raleighs proprietary stepped cones. I've filed spindles before.

'thanks 'tis what I thought I was going to have to do - will try little by little with gentle steel file and not attempt any heroics with a grinder, I am frightened of ruining the axles in the process or weakening them unduly

 

[Guinessisgoodforyou]

'thanks 'tis what I thought I was going to have to do - will try little by little with gentle steel file and not attempt any heroics with a grinder, I am frightened of ruining the axles in the process or weakening them unduly

Don't leave sharp corners and it should be fine. You will have to file the fork ends if you want to use a conventional spindle. If you look they're shaped like a keyhole.