I bought an old Huffy lady's 3 speed today. A guy who lives a few blocks away had it on craiglist for his mother who bought it back in the seventies.
I got it home, put a little air in the tires, tightened about eight spokes and went for a cruise to the corner. It even shifts. I don't know anything about three speeds so that is especially nice. It has been about an hour and the rear tire is flat. The seller said he thinks they are the original tires.
It has a light/horn combination. I put new batteries in and both work. The horn had a handlebar mounted switch which is missing so I replaced it with an old door bell button. I'll have to figure a way to mount the button next to the left grip.
George how great....is Janet going to ride with you now?
ReplyDeleteI don't know what I'll do with it. I've been interested in a 3 speed for a while now and thought this was a cheap chance to learn. I think it will pull the bike trailer well so I can use it with the kids.
ReplyDeleteGeorge,
ReplyDeleteWhat model Huffy is it and which brand of rear hub? Shimano or Sturmey Archer?
I saw your comment over on mikespokes and wandered over to take a look. The 70's vintage Huffy 3 speeds (even into the 80's) aren't bad bikes. I have rebuilt a couple of them for friends and neighbors and they are still ticking along a few years later.
Aaron
Aaron, It is a Shimano Cartridge Type. The bike says harvest (no capital h)on it and also Grand Tour. I haven't seen anything on the net about either of those terms regarding the Huffy brand. I've begun to wonder if only the seat is actually Huffy. I am far from any kind of expert but enjoy tinkering around on them. I noticed the pedals are Wald. Thanks for the information.
ReplyDeleteGeorge,
ReplyDeleteI would be interested in seeing some clear pictures of the bike from the drive side, headbadge if it has one, also which Shimano hub is it? They used several different ones depending on the year.
Sounds like an interesting bike. The old 3 speeds are hard to beat, regardless of who made them.
Aaron
Aaron,
ReplyDeleteI'll get some pictures up in the morning. I agree I'm liking this bike although it is my first experience with a 3 speed. I replaced the tires and I think I have the shift cable adjusted right. It seems to shift smooth and quickly. The guy at the bike shop where I bought the tires told me to pull out the pin and pour a teaspoon full or two of oil in then expect to get messy as some would spill out.
I like that you're talking in a language I can't even understand, bike-speak. cool.
ReplyDelete