Shift Kit and 3 speed hubs

I am using a sturmy archer as a jackshaft and has been OK, why not just use a derailer? I think the long term durability would be better.
There are some small parts in the SA that are an issue to me by jumping out and in of 3rd gear, they are alright for pedal power but engine power need beefier stuff.

if its jumping in and out of gear, its probably an adjustment issue,but its always worth taking these apart to look, never know what you'll find. my bike mushroomed pawls constantly, the motor had built-in gear-reduction, so the shaft was on the right, and i only needed 1 chain from the motor to the hub, that setup is what killed so many pawls, the jackhammer effect of the engine not being dampened by another chain/jackshaft(kit), the rear sprocket with it's three ears and clip-ring-thing, had slight play(as they all do) and the front sprocket was on a splined shaft that had a little play, all of those things helped to slacken the drivetrain on exhaust-strokes, and slam the pawls into the face of the drum on ignition, about a 100 times each second...something to think about when motorizing any pawl mechanism... i had a couple sturmey archers from different eras on it(whatever i found for free to get it moving again).i could take it's last hub apart to show anyone if they care, the symptoms were starting when i took it off, i know the tips of the pawls will be mashed. i talked about it on another thread, everyone said they've never heard of such pawl/freewheel/hub issues.check out the thread, because a couple different people with shift kits threw in 2 cents, and im hoping to have a change-jar full of people's mechanical cents on shifting. it was utility bikes/shift systems. the other problem i fought was heat, because i welded a big sprocket on the original rear sprocket, and had a small one up front, the gear mechanism that transfers all your power to the hub itself, and rides on the axle(which is hollow, and has two slots that run parallel the axle ...its strength is greatly compromised by heat....) spun WAY faster then it ever should have, and upon taking apart the bike's first hub, found the cage that held the gears was bowed-outwards and had a heat-tint on it, i couldnt believe it held up at all. after that i filled them with gear oil, which leaks out slowly, and is kinda messy, but it was better then cookin them.

I've logged about 4500 miles so far on a 40's Rollfast w/a SBP HD shiftkit runnin' through a Sturmey Archer S30 X-RD3 3-Speed Drum Brake Hub and the hub hasn't given me even the slightest problem... & I'm mebbe not always that nice to it lol

I suspect there's two primary causes for folks to have problems with internally shifted hubs, utilizing older/used, perhaps worn & maladjusted hubs and/or "speedshifting" - not backing off the throttle as it's shifted into another gear...

...but I can't really say as I've only had experience w/the new Sturmey 3sp *shrug* It's treated me really well tho

That is one nice looking bike!

I must admit I do kinda wish it was a four speed instead of a three... but that's mostly due to the Rollfast's serious weight issue lol, I've got it geared for acceleration over max speed to help with traffic (getting through a busy intersection from a stop etc.) and all the hills around here *shrug*

Given the ease of changing the jackshaft's gear ratio, it's really not much of a problem & it really depends on yer riding style & bike

I'm afraid I don't, sorry man - I don't think Sturmey makes 'em... at the time there was some controversy regarding whether or not even a new 3sp would hold up, an additional concern being that the more gears a hub had, the more likely it would have problems due to it's complexity.

So - I opted for the comparatively simple and inexpensive X-RD3 3sp to experiment with, figuring if I blew it up I'd jus' go w/a derailleur & 7sp cassette from a mountain bike. It's been so problem free that in retrospect I kinda wish I'd tried one of their 5sp hubs: Sturmey Archer

but... as far as I'm aware they're untested w/a shiftkit so I dunno if they'd hold up as well & I can't bring myself to replace the trusty X-RD3 in any case


BTW, the X-RD3 has a 70mm drum brake, the XL-RD3 has a 90mm - if yer gonna try one, I'd opt for the bigger brake

Sturmey-Archer Bicycle Hubs Sturmey-Archer Heritage :: History even if it doesn't help, it's still really interesting. look for the 3 speed hub that was actually designed for engines.

PS: EbikeStop has XRD-8's for sale for about 130

Niagra has XRD-5's currently for sale at about 113 I just used an XRD-8 on my latest build and it is a shifter.Runs great right up to the point that the condenser and points blew.Last summer I built a 4 stroke shifter using an XRD-3 and it runs very reliably.

You guys have really got me thinking about shifter kits again!!!
I was just looking at the Sturmey X-RK8 (8-speed/ disc brake), & thinking about adding a giant rotor & hydraulic brakes!!

chainmaker said:

I dont know how Im going get another one past the misses after this one.

Cheers

Click to expand...

Just sell your first one & show the 'ol lady that you made a little proffit. (That's how I first started!)


I bought a HD shift kit last night, & I have a best offer on the hub right now... So lets see how this goes?