Wanted: 3 speed freewheel block

As titled, doesn't matter whether it's 3/32 or 1 1/8;

1 1/8?
I'm not even sure they were ever even 1/8

They were, it's only the introduction of more ratios is when they realise they needed a narrower chain.

I have a dérailleur that were designed for 1 1/8 chain.

1 1/8" is a modern headset size, is what Fruitbat is telling you Ed, you're thinking of 1/8". 3/32" was introduced to make it flexible enough to change between sprockets, what dérailleur do you have that was designed for 1/8" chain? I think even the early Simplexes were for 3/32", maybe the earlier caged systems like Campags Cambio Corsa used 1/8" but they had no dérailleur, interested to know what you have there Mate...

I've see a lot of 3 spd freewheel blocks in Italy, esp' in Padova, maybe if someone has an Italian chum?

The pix you have there, is Tiger a Chinese brand? Maybe if someone has a Chinese chum?

So in short, have you thought about making some more chums elsewhere Ed?

picture's simply for illustrative purpose.

yes I got muddle up between the headset sizing and the chain sizing.

My dérailleur (Cyclo Benelux) were design for 1/8", but can work with 3/32 as it doesn't have any teeth.

Was trying to build an 1950's british lightweight bicycle as lightly as possible, hence 3 speed transmission, by my calculation it should be a lots lighter than a hubs gear and 5+ speeds transmission and the frame I've acquired is stupidly light for it's time (double butted 531) designed for a rear derailleur only.

Ed
what is wrong with the one you posted?
mine arrived from that shop today for my 3 speed Simplex TDF designed for 1/8" chain. Later versions of the Simplex TDF were made for 4 speed 1/8", 4 speed 3/32" and 5 speed 3/32".
I have been looking for a 3 speed freewheel on Ebay for months, best I found was a Cyclo but that one is currently soaking in Penetrene as the pawls are slightly catching when they shouldn't be.
there was a damaged one sold recently on Ebay

picture's simply for illustrative purpose.

yes I got muddle up between the headset sizing and the chain sizing.

Was trying to build an 1950's british lightweight bicycle as lightly as possible, hence 3 speed transmission, by my calculation it should be a lots lighter than a hubs gear and 5+ speeds transmission and the frame I've acquired is stupidly light for it's time (double butted 531) designed for a rear derailleur only.

Really, a 3 speed 1/8" freewheel is going to be significantly lighter than a 5 speed 3/32"?
Get the scales out Ed, and give us numbers.

...Get the scales out Ed...

may as well weigh the chainring, chain and the freewheel for comparison

Sounds as if it's going to be really cute Ed, what's the frame? My dad used to run Simplex, in fact he still has it on one of his bikes (3/32"), but if you want to be light Ed, why use a heavier chain?

Ed
what is wrong with the one you posted?

I found that in Google image search, little did I realise that it's from a shop! ta for pointing that out.

The three speed transmission will be a mixture of modern/old part, I will be using a TA cranks with it and modern 1/8 chain, I have the old Cyclo Benelux rear derailleur complete with downtube shifter already.

The handlebar will be a GB stem with a hole for the Mafac Racer centre-pull brake and the bar will be a Nitto Randos (modern but still a lots lighter than the old randonneur bar out there).

The hubs will be Airlite (if i can get some) laced with double butted spoke and alu rims.

The pedal will be Lyotard which are copied by White industries, very popular with the cyclotouriste crowd at the time.

Saddle going to be a bit hard as it's quite heavy and does make a tiny difference to the weight of the bike, may need to find a leather saddle with an alu frame instead of steel (they do exist, just hard to find).

Mudguard, might put it, might not, if I do it'll be a Gilles Berthoud one.

It's for this frame (wheel are for illustrative purpose);

I've heard Mog at BC built a 3-speed with a derailleur a few years back... He figured it was piss just about everybody off... ;]

I've heard Mog at BC built a 3-speed with a derailleur a few years back... He figured it was piss just about everybody off... ;]

yup, I'm trying to remember how he did it, I think he added one of those Surly dingles? to a single, but that would be fixed, nope I'll have to ask him, there's going to be more of this memory fail stuff as the years race pass...
Unless he put it on to a Sturmey, in which case the he would have had a 6 speed.

3 times 3 equals 9 not 6, doesn't it? Oops.

Fails all round today, I need a nap but I'm going to work.

cough
Current Projects >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
cough

Sounds as if it's going to be really cute Ed, what's the frame? My dad used to run Simplex.

I'm forever in love with Simplex after using the LJ, I used to run them on the old road bike, they were plastic granted but they work a lots better than how everyone make out of them.

You have PM

There's this one on ebay at the moment.