Thanks to our Throw-away Society!

I had enjoyed refurbishing the two folding Raleigh Twenty bicycles I acquired earlier in the year (-see April and August blogs). Being of sound and rugged design, the process had been most satisfying. It had resulted in two classic vintage bicycles in excellent condition and ready for another thirty years of use!
However, this design although extremely successful, was somewhat specialised with its small wheels and folding hinge. I was interested in how the Twenty would compare with its contemporary, the conventionally configured, iconic Raleigh “Sports”. Sheldon Brown, the sadly-missed bicycle guru described them thus:
“For many years, in many parts of the world, the Raleigh "Sports" three-speed bicycle was considered the ultimate in human-powered transportation. These bicycles were not toys, and, despite the model name, they were not sporting equipment...they were serious vehicles. The men and women who built them, by and large, also rode them, as their primary means of transportation. They were designed to provide solid, dependable transportation for the British public, at a time when only the upper classes had motorcars. These bikes were built to last 100 years, with reasonable care.”

http://sheldonbrown.com/raleigh.html

Raleigh promotional literature

Indeed in England I had used a very similar design to convey myself to and from my first ever job. This was a “Robin Hood Sports”, one of several badge-engineered products from one of several companies bought out by the Raleigh Group. This was my father’s primary means of transport. It was made available to me on an “as required basis” -a status which rapidly evolved from “as required” into “permanent”! Equipped with generator/battery lighting, it was totally reliable and as Sheldon said was -a complete transportation system. Looking back through my rheumy old eyes I had often wondered what progress has been made in bicycle design over the past 50+years. How would such designs compare with the current plethora of types being produced?

In August a neighbour, knowing of my interest in bicycles, informed me that an acquaintance of his had asked him to dispose of a couple of bikes in which he had no further interest nor even required any payment!! Having a garage already overfull with bicycles, my initial interest was somewhat lukewarm. However, I agreed to take a look. To my amazement I was confronted by not one -but two vintage Raleigh Sports, one made in 1973 and the other in 1979! They both had a yellowish hue and looked decidedly sorry for themselves. However, having rubbed an exploratory finger over their frames I immediately discovered that their unappealing jaundiced appearance was due to sawdust! The 1973 men’s model had been given a rich brown burgundy colour and the 1979 ladies model sported a light blue finish. My neighbour informed me that they had been stored in a saw mill! My interest temperature index now rapidly elevated from lukewarm towards a state approaching incandescence! I agreed to take them both off his hands and consigned them both to the garden shed for future consideration -which turned out to be the following day!.
Neither had been used much. This was evidenced by the brake blocks which showed little wear as did the rubber pedal surfaces. Both had been set up poorly and most of the components needed readjusting. I also discovered that the 1979 ladies model had been assembled in Canada at the Raleigh plant in Quebec.
I stripped both bikes down to their principle component parts. As I expected at the time, a good cleaning plus a generous chunk of TLC and polishing was necessary. After the initial cleaning, oiling the chromed components prior to using a combination of crumpled up aluminum foil and metal polish, was sufficient to remove virtually all the rust even on the wheel rims Similarly, the paintwork responded to thorough cleaning plus Turtlewax car polish. In fact I used Turtlewax to finish up the bright parts as well to deter future rust. I removed all the ball bearing surfaces (apart from the 3-speed unit). They were all in need of attention. 30+ year old oil and grease does not make a pretty sight. All were thoroughly cleaned, new ball bearings fitted and packed with grease. Two of the cotters that retain the crank arms onto the pedal spindles were damaged during removal and replaced. This part of the process was the most troublesome. These cotters (particularly after 30+ years in situe) are notoriously difficult to shift –even with a special tool!

Cotter pin removal tool. Destroyed cotter pin left; new cotter right.

Due to sidewall cracking I replaced the original Kenda 26 x 1 3/8" tyres on the 1973 men’s model with new Kendas and tubes surprisingly available from the local Canadian Tire -plus new rim tape. The tyres on the 1979 model were in much better shape and remain for now. I suspect that they had been already replaced sometime.

Both bicycles were then carefully reassembled, brakes and chains adjusted to nominal, the three-speed shifters set up carefully and all that remained prior to a test ride was to replace the much too short seat post with a longer one already in my possession. This also required the temporary replacement of the original Brooks saddle on the brown men’s bike which was incompatible with the seat post. The latter has now been modified and the original Brooks saddle replaced.

I did a 10km "shake down" ride on the brown bicycle and was surprised initially at how heavy and sluggish it felt compared with modern chromoly and carbon-fibre frames, However I soon realised that the gearing was much too high and with it the years rolled back and I recalled slogging up some of the Chiltern Hills on my 8 mile commute to my work at Booker airfield. Now with over 50 years more life experience I did not accept the situation and very soon had replaced the original 17 tooth rear sprocket with one of 21 teeth. This was a great improvement and it did not take long to adapt to the extra weight and to pedal accordingly. Apart from the foregoing, everything was just fine. It is easy to ride and very comfortable thanks to the springy Brooks saddle and. In fact it was like riding a new bike.

Finished 1973 men's Raleigh Sport with temporary saddle.

Left crank secured by its cotter pin!

Right crank, chain wheel and chain guard.

Rear shot showing the shiny wheel rims.

3-speed Sturmey-Archer hub.

The 1979 ladies model has lower gearing as standard which solves that problem. Because the frame is smaller, my rides have been of short duration but again everything feels fine. In fact the brakes are slightly better than the men’s bike. My daughter who is also a cyclist, carried out a short ride and gave it her seal of approval.

1979 ladies Raleigh Sport

Right side showing transmission

Simple steel rear brake; heavy but effective.

Paint and chrome are slightly better than on the brown bike.

The restoration work has been particularly rewarding in that the results of both bikes have exceeded expectations. Both had had limited use and are now in virtually as-new condition.
The cost of the brown men’s bike -including new tyres, tubes, ball bearings, a new 21 tooth sprocket a new brake cable and a new cotter pin was $70, whilst the blue ladies model -including one new cotter pin and ball bearings was $10.

In conclusion, my comparative assessment of the two bikes against those of contemporary design is that whilst they are not the best choice for rides of several hours or in very hilly terrain, for local round town riding or for transportation to and from work involving distances up to 10km or so each way, they are still difficult to beat. Moreover, being equipped with mudguards and chain guard gives extra protection for inclement weather and trouser legs from oily chains. There is no need to dress up. Just get on and go! These factors, plus their extreme sturdiness and reliability make them a very desirable possession. I never cease to be amazed at what some people throw away.
P.S.
There is now a video of the project:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FogQEptThG8

2011 - 2012; then what?

          The dire warnings surrounding the date of December 21^st 2012 are frequently associated with the predictions of the Mayans relating to the Precession of the Equinox. This involves the effects of the lining up of the winter solstice sun with the centre or so called “Dark Rift” of the Milky Way which marks the end of their Long Count calendar. This Galactic Alignment only occurs every 26000 years. The actual window during which this is predicted to take place is between the years 1998 – 2016. However, contrary to the widespread and dramatic outpourings from the sensationalists and purveyors of hyperbolae, the Mayan prognosis was never intended to be irrevocably associated with an apocalyptic termination of civilization as we know it. Rather, although considered likely to involve a period of uncertainty, danger and peril it could also present an opportunity to reassess the current state of human aspirations and achievements to enter a new age with a renewed, refreshed and transformed reality.     

The effects of this phenomenon have been widely predicted to be at their maximum in 2012. However there is an alternative school of thought which believes that its peak would occur a year earlier –late in 2011. In general, for many years, diverse races and cultures, particularly aboriginal, throughout the world have independently identified this “2012 era” date as being critical and considered pivotal to future human well being and spiritual evolution. However, forecasting of this kind is now redundant since the first symptoms of what is likely to come have already made themselves apparent. Astonishingly there has been a reluctance or unwillingness to accept  this reality that these difficult times are here now and that whatever the eventual outcome might be, the next few years will be challenging at best and catastrophic at worst.

In the following list of subjects, there is ample evidence that things are spinning out of control and that in some cases may be doing so exponentially. They may be broken down into two significant groups:-

Group 1.

1.1. Astronomic

1.2. Tectonic

1.3. Meteorological

Group 2.

2.1. Political

2.2. Societal/religious

2.3. Economic

1.  The first three are those over which we have little control other than to perhaps mitigate their effects;

- and

2.  The second three comprises things over which we collectively, given the resolve, have the power to totally restructure.

Group1 can be considered collectively since already it has given ample evidence of its awesome presence. Astronomically we are now already well within the 1998-2016 window of the Precession. The expected increase in solar flares has not had really major adverse effects (-thus far!). However, simultaneous with this there has been a massive increase in catastrophic geophysical activity which could be connected -at least in part. The effect of some of these earthquakes has been greatly augmented in some cases with attendant devastating tsunamis.  The so called “Ring of Fire” has been particularly active from New Zealand through Sri Lanka and SE Asia and earlier this year in Fukoshima, Japan.  The west has not escaped either, typically as witnessed by the devastating Haiti earthquake of January 2010 and now as I write this in late October, there is breaking news of a large (7.3 Richter) earthquake in Turkey.

As far as weather is concerned, who can argue that the extremes experienced around the world are as severe as or more so than at any time in recorded history. In some cases, particularly in North America, there have been extraordinary local anomalies; so much in fact that in some regions some parts seem to be on fire whilst others are under water.

The succession of hurricanes has wrought appalling devastation and suffering. Katrina, one of the deadliest in the history of the United States which virtually decimated the New Orleans area was the worst but just one of a seemingly endless series. Tornadoes in 2011 are occurring at record pace. Worldwide, at least 566 people have perished due to tornadoes including an astounding 550 in the United States compared with 564 US deaths in the previous 10 years -combined! 

Rain deluges have become commonplace in 2011 and many parts of the world; floods have resulted in total misery and the ruination of the local inhabitants. In Bangkok in particular, the current flooding is horrendous, whilst in other parts of the world, particularly in Africa the complete opposite is occurring with extreme drought conditions and with it acute water shortage, famine and starvation.

Another major consideration concerns the ongoing melting of polar ice. Should the melting be sufficient to expose the heat-absorbing tundra beneath, there will be a corresponding acceleration in the rate of ice melt. The consequent rise in sea level will pose an increasing threat to low lying regions of the world.  These climate changes being experienced are unlikely to moderate in the short term. In addition to human influences there seems to be evidence of an unrelated increase in temperatures due to solar variations.  Nevertheless, everything possible must be done to reduce the trend.  As has already been loudly proclaimed, we must stop the incredibly inefficient and damaging practice of burning things to get energy.  It is now more than ever essential to fully develop every existing alternative and particularly to establish once and for all the feasibility of the exotic and elusive Zero Point Energy .

Group 2, despite the fact that it is fully manageable there continues to be an escalation in all three of the individual factors. All are the results of power grabbing, mind control of the population or insatiable greed –sometimes all three!

There seems to be an escalation in the rattling of significantly more deadly weapons than sabres in certain countries such as North Korea and Iran with India and Pakistan not far behind..

 Attempts to introduce some form of democracy in many Islamic states seems doomed to failure since the basic tenets of their doctrine are not consistent with the notion in which all the people have an equal say in decisions that affect their lives. It should encompass social, economic and cultural conditions that enable the free and equal practice of political self-determination. The deadly and seemingly insatiable appetite for extreme violence by the Taliban continues unabated. Suicide bombing continues, fuelled in the main by willing participants spawned from the pathetic ignorance and life-long mind control of uneducated young followers. Now we hear the U.S. is withdrawing its troops from Iraq by the end of 2011.What then? 

Even when considering the current “Arab Spring” uprisings across the Middle East, a successful outcome based upon past experience is likely to result in a revised form of population control -different faces, -same oppression.  Sadly there are signs that this seems to be occurring already in recently liberated Egypt. It will be interesting to follow the fortunes of Libya following the uprising there and the death of Gaddafi  with Syria and Yemen amongst others waiting in the wings.  In other faith-based groups too, there has been an unfortunate escalation in fundamentalism, presumably due to feelings of powerlessness and insecurity.

The current state of world economics is front and centre in current news. Even when faced with impending financial meltdown there is still reluctance to bite the bullet. Current demonstrations in Greece and elsewhere against proposed austerity measures are responded to with strident demands for increases in social spending from non-existing financial resources. Their frustration is understandable since the current debacles were not directly of their making.

The current “Occupy” demonstrations and sit-ins worldwide, whilst being effective in raising public awareness, in general seems to lack focus with several unconnected groups using some protests to air their own particular disparate agendas. All this noise is unlikely to faze the wealthy and powerful 5% who it is claimed control the distribution of wealth with the ultimate objective of creating a New World Order. Should the other 95% develop a cohesive strategy utilising a rifle rather than a shotgun approach, it is likely to become (-hopefully without literally resorting to the means implied by the preceding metaphor!), less peaceful and benign. Across the vastness of China, regional inequities are on the increase, but now with greatly improved communications, it is becoming increasingly difficult to conceal this from the masses. The notion of up to one billion unhappy people taking issue with the status quo is too mindboggling to envisage.  

Whatever the catalyst for change might be, global stability and ongoing development requires a quantum change in perception with a resetting of all behavioural datums to those solely beneficial to the world in general and to the human predicament in particular.

Is all this the manifestation of arcane prophesy or merely an extraordinary coincidence? Whatever the reason, the period from now until the end of 2012 (and for some time thereafter), is likely to be one for the history books.