i renovated a bike really similar to this a few years ago, it was a 1959 f.w hopper. i found it abandoned under a communal staircase. it has the original dynohub and lamp and when i plugged it in, it worked first time. the gears broke at one point so i ran it as a single speed, although it was something absurd like a 52 14, then i repaired it again. Sturmey AW hubs are amazing. the three speed had a really high big gear, i regularly used to destroy people on hackney road, they used to look shocked and embarassed. stopping was another story altogether; rod brakes: no stopping power whatsoever.
fond memories:
getting a circlip (keeps sprocket on) stuck on the end of my finger, it fucking hurts, don't ask how. couldn't get circlip pliers anywhere.
i renovated a bike really similar to this a few years ago, it was a 1959 f.w hopper. i found it abandoned under a communal staircase. it has the original dynohub and lamp and when i plugged it in, it worked first time. the gears broke at one point so i ran it as a single speed, although it was something absurd like a 52 14, then i repaired it again. Sturmey AW hubs are amazing. the three speed had a really high big gear, i regularly used to destroy people on hackney road, they used to look shocked and embarassed. stopping was another story altogether; rod brakes: no stopping power whatsoever.
fond memories:
getting a circlip (keeps sprocket on) stuck on the end of my finger, it fucking hurts, don't ask how. couldn't get circlip pliers anywhere.