Friday, January 26, 2018

Nelson's Rudge 3 Speed - Like He had as a Kid

Nelson's Rudge 3 Speed Restoration
Bicycle Complete

This is Nelson's Rudge 3 Speed like he had as a kid.  I have always liked the Raleigh built 3 speed badged by different companies, those companies also put a nice unique spin on the Raleigh 3 Speed.  I love how Rudge curved the top tub and added a rack.  This is a Rudge Mustang model.  

The Rudge had some rough areas to work through.  There is a good deal of rust here and there and the paint has some rough areas.  I started out seeing what I could do with the original paint but in the end we decided on new paint.  

The wheel rims where very rough and I started out looking for replacements in better shape but could never come up with any.  Instead of replacing with modern rims I decided to try to save the original rims as much as I could using a battery charger and a tub of alkaline water.  That can be seen below. 

The Rudge is receiving a total restoration along with replacing the pear end brake calipers.  The Rudge will also get new tires, tubes, bearings, cables, cable housings.  Nelson also found an original twist shift lever to go on the Rudge.

I have been having technical difficult all week in getting photos up on the website.  Working throw those difficulties I am starting to find and upload photos, some in order photos just are not working yet so there are some missing in the series but I will figure them out.

Nelson's Rudge 3 Speed Restoration - Bicycle Before

Nelson's Rudge 3 Speed Restoration - Bicycle Before
Handlebars & Brake Levers

Nelson's Rudge 3 Speed Restoration - Bicycle Before
Shift Lever

Nelson's Rudge 3 Speed Restoration - Bicycle Before
Head Tube

Nelson's Rudge 3 Speed Restoration - Bicycle Before
Front Brake Caliper

Nelson's Rudge 3 Speed Restoration - Bicycle Before
Front Wheel Hub

Nelson's Rudge 3 Speed Restoration - Bicycle Before
Front Wheel Rim

Nelson's Rudge 3 Speed Restoration - Bicycle Before
Stem

Nelson's Rudge 3 Speed Restoration - Bicycle Before
Head Tube

Nelson's Rudge 3 Speed Restoration - Bicycle Before
Fork Crown

Nelson's Rudge 3 Speed Restoration - Bicycle Before
Front Wheel Hub

Nelson's Rudge 3 Speed Restoration - Bicycle Before
Down Tube

Nelson's Rudge 3 Speed Restoration - Bicycle Before
Down Tube

Nelson's Rudge 3 Speed Restoration - Bicycle Before
Top Tube

Nelson's Rudge 3 Speed Restoration - Bicycle Before
Made in England

Nelson's Rudge 3 Speed Restoration - Bicycle Before
Saddle

Nelson's Rudge 3 Speed Restoration - Bicycle Before
Down Tube

Nelson's Rudge 3 Speed Restoration - Bicycle Before
Down Tube

Nelson's Rudge 3 Speed Restoration - Bicycle Before
Down Tube

Nelson's Rudge 3 Speed Restoration - Bicycle Before
Bottom Bracket

Nelson's Rudge 3 Speed Restoration - Bicycle Before
Crank

Nelson's Rudge 3 Speed Restoration - Bicycle Before
Pedal

Nelson's Rudge 3 Speed Restoration - Bicycle Before
Seat Lug

Nelson's Rudge 3 Speed Restoration - Bicycle Before
Rear Brake Caliper

Nelson's Rudge 3 Speed Restoration - Bicycle Before
Rear Rack

Nelson's Rudge 3 Speed Restoration - Bicycle Before
Rear Wheel Hub

Nelson's Rudge 3 Speed Restoration - Bicycle Before
Rear Fender

Nelson's Rudge 3 Speed Restoration - Bicycle Before
Rear Wheel Rim

Nelson's Rudge 3 Speed Restoration - Bicycle Before
Rear Reflector

Nelson's Rudge 3 Speed Restoration - Bicycle Before
Rear Fender Strut

Nelson's Rudge 3 Speed Restoration - Bicycle Before
Chain Guard

Nelson's Rudge 3 Speed Restoration - Bicycle Before
Chain Guard

Nelson's Rudge 3 Speed Restoration - Frame Before

Nelson's Rudge 3 Speed Restoration - Frame Before
Head Tube

Nelson's Rudge 3 Speed Restoration - Frame Before
Head Tube

Nelson's Rudge 3 Speed Restoration - Frame Before

Nelson's Rudge 3 Speed Restoration - Frame Before
Top Tube

Nelson's Rudge 3 Speed Restoration - Frame Before
Down Tube

Nelson's Rudge 3 Speed Restoration - Frame Before
Seat Lug

Nelson's Rudge 3 Speed Restoration - Frame Before
Down Tube

Nelson's Rudge 3 Speed Restoration - Frame Before
Down Tube

Nelson's Rudge 3 Speed Restoration - Frame Before
Bottom Bracket


Nelson's Rudge 3 Speed Restoration - Frame Before
Bottom Bracket

Nelson's Rudge 3 Speed Restoration - Frame Before
Bottom Bracket

Nelson's Rudge 3 Speed Restoration - Frame Before
Seat Lug

Nelson's Rudge 3 Speed Restoration - Frame Before
Drop Outs

Nelson's Rudge 3 Speed Restoration - Frame Before
Seat Stays

Nelson's Rudge 3 Speed Restoration - Frame Before
Fork

Nelson's Rudge 3 Speed Restoration - Frame Before
Fork Crown

Nelson's Rudge 3 Speed Restoration - Frame Before
Fork Crown

Nelson's Rudge 3 Speed Restoration - Frame Before
Fork Crown

Nelson's Rudge 3 Speed Restoration - Frame Before
Fork Blades

Nelson's Rudge 3 Speed Restoration - Frame Before
Fork Blades

Nelson's Rudge 3 Speed Restoration - Frame Before
Fork Blades

Below is a special paste cleaner I came up with for cleaning paint.  It does a fine job.  A lot of the original paint polished beautifully but a lot of it didn't.  I wish it didn't have quite as many bad spots.

Nelson's Rudge 3 Speed Restoration - Frame Before
Cleaning Paste

Nelson's Rudge 3 Speed Restoration - Frame Polished

Nelson's Rudge 3 Speed Restoration - Frame Polished
Head Tube

Nelson's Rudge 3 Speed Restoration - Frame Polished
Head Tube

Nelson's Rudge 3 Speed Restoration - Frame Polished
Head Tube

Nelson's Rudge 3 Speed Restoration - Frame Polished
Top Tube

Nelson's Rudge 3 Speed Restoration - Frame Polished
Down Tube

Nelson's Rudge 3 Speed Restoration - Frame Polished
Top Tube Rough Spot

Nelson's Rudge 3 Speed Restoration - Frame Polished
Seat Lug

Nelson's Rudge 3 Speed Restoration - Frame Polished
Down Tube

Nelson's Rudge 3 Speed Restoration - Frame Polished
Down Tube

Nelson's Rudge 3 Speed Restoration - Frame Polished
Bottom Bracket

Nelson's Rudge 3 Speed Restoration - Frame Polished
Bottom Bracket

Nelson's Rudge 3 Speed Restoration - Frame Polished
Bottom Bracket

Nelson's Rudge 3 Speed Restoration - Frame Polished
Seat Lug

Nelson's Rudge 3 Speed Restoration - Frame Polished
Seat Stay - Rough Areas

Nelson's Rudge 3 Speed Restoration - Frame Polished
Chain Stays - Rough Areas

Nelson's Rudge 3 Speed Restoration - Frame Polished
Drop Outs - Rough Areas

Nelson's Rudge 3 Speed Restoration - Frame Polished
Drop Outs

Nelson's Rudge 3 Speed Restoration - Frame Polished
Fork

Nelson's Rudge 3 Speed Restoration - Frame Polished
Fork Crown

Nelson's Rudge 3 Speed Restoration - Frame Polished
Fork Crown

Nelson's Rudge 3 Speed Restoration - Frame Polished
Fork Blade

Nelson's Rudge 3 Speed Restoration - Frame Polished
Fork Blade
The frame is being painted black to match Nelson's original bike he had.  It took a lot of smoothing out of some rough areas but in the end I am pretty happy with the results.  Black is not my best color the way it shows every flaw in the surface but over all I am happy.

Nelson's Rudge 3 Speed Restoration - Frame Painted Black

Nelson's Rudge 3 Speed Restoration - Frame Painted Black
Head Tube

Nelson's Rudge 3 Speed Restoration - Frame Painted Black
Head Tube

Nelson's Rudge 3 Speed Restoration - Frame Painted Black
Head Tube

Nelson's Rudge 3 Speed Restoration - Frame Painted Black
Down Tube

Nelson's Rudge 3 Speed Restoration - Frame Painted Black
Seat Lug

Nelson's Rudge 3 Speed Restoration - Frame Painted Black
Bottom Bracket

Nelson's Rudge 3 Speed Restoration - Frame Painted Black
Seat Lug

Nelson's Rudge 3 Speed Restoration - Frame Painted Black
Bottom Bracket

Nelson's Rudge 3 Speed Restoration - Frame Painted Black
Chain Stays

Nelson's Rudge 3 Speed Restoration - Frame Painted Black
Fork

Nelson's Rudge 3 Speed Restoration - Frame Painted Black
Fork Crown

Nelson's Rudge 3 Speed Restoration - Frame Painted Black
Fork Blades

Nelson's Rudge 3 Speed Restoration - Frame Painted Black
Fork Blades
The headset and bottom bracket where a little rough.  Some time in the crock pot and then a lot of time on the polishing wheels and both look great.  I especially like how good the bottom bracket looks with that new paint!  Black and Chrome!! The best!

Nelson's Rudge 3 Speed Restoration - Headset & Bottom Bracket
Before

Nelson's Rudge 3 Speed Restoration - Headset & Bottom Bracket
Before

Nelson's Rudge 3 Speed Restoration - Pressing Headset Cuips

Nelson's Rudge 3 Speed Restoration - Headset Cups
Pressed

Nelson's Rudge 3 Speed Restoration - Headset Bearings
Packed

Nelson's Rudge 3 Speed Restoration - Headset Bearings
Packed

Nelson's Rudge 3 Speed Restoration - Headset Complete

Nelson's Rudge 3 Speed Restoration - Headset Complete

Nelson's Rudge 3 Speed Restoration - Bottom Bracket Complete

Nelson's Rudge 3 Speed Restoration - Bottom Bracket Complete

Nelson's Rudge 3 Speed Restoration - Headset & Bottom Bracket
Complete
The stem and handlebars have some rough spots.  The stem clamp bolt is also bent and has damaged threads.  I tapped the threads again to clean them up but I think I will have to replace the bolt, the nit just doesn't feel secure and with vibration I think will back off.

Over all I like how the stem and handlebars look installed.

Nelson's Rudge 3 Speed Restoration - Stem Before

Nelson's Rudge 3 Speed Restoration - Stem Exploded

Nelson's Rudge 3 Speed Restoration - Stem & Handlebars Before

Nelson's Rudge 3 Speed Restoration - Handlebars Before

Nelson's Rudge 3 Speed Restoration - Handlebars Before

Nelson's Rudge 3 Speed Restoration - Stem Polished

Nelson's Rudge 3 Speed Restoration - Stem Complete

Nelson's Rudge 3 Speed Restoration - Stem & Handlebars Polished

Nelson's Rudge 3 Speed Restoration - Handlebars Polished

Nelson's Rudge 3 Speed Restoration - Handlebars Polished

Nelson's Rudge 3 Speed Restoration - Stem & Handlebars
Polished

Nelson's Rudge 3 Speed Restoration - Stem & Handlebars
Complete
I was going to original replace the wheel rims and spokes with modern but it just seem like a waste to give up on these rims, they just don't make them like this anymore.  I set up an electrolysis tank to help remove the rust.  Its a very cool process just don'r put your hands in the tube.

The rust removed nicely and after a lot of time polishing and working on the hubs the wheels look great.  I installed new Delta Cruiser tires, by far the best three speed tires in my opinion.

There are a few photos missing from the wheel series here, tomorrow I will hopefully recover the rest.  
Nelson's Rudge 3 Speed Restoration - Removing Rust with a Battery Charger

Nelson's Rudge 3 Speed Restoration - Removing Rust with a Battery Charger

Nelson's Rudge 3 Speed Restoration - Removing Rust with a Battery Charger

Nelson's Rudge 3 Speed Restoration - Removing Rust with a Battery Charger

Nelson's Rudge 3 Speed Restoration
 Removing Rust with a Battery Charger

Nelson's Rudge 3 Speed Restoration - Front Wheel Before

Nelson's Rudge 3 Speed Restoration - Front Wheel Rim Before

Nelson's Rudge 3 Speed Restoration - Rear Wheel Rim Before

Nelson's Rudge 3 Speed Restoration - Rear Wheel Hub BEfore

Nelson's Rudge 3 Speed Restoration - Rear Wheel Hub Before

Nelson's Rudge 3 Speed Restoration - Rear Wheel Hub Pieces Before

Nelson's Rudge 3 Speed Restoration - Rear Wheel Hub Before

Nelson's Rudge 3 Speed Restoration - Rear Wheel Hub
Polished

Nelson's Rudge 3 Speed Restoration - Rear Wheel Hub
Bearings Greased

Nelson's Rudge 3 Speed Restoration - Axle Pieces Ready

Nelson's Rudge 3 Speed Restoration - Rear Wheel Complete

Nelson's Rudge 3 Speed Restoration - Rear Wheel Complete

Nelson's Rudge 3 Speed Restoration - Rear Wheel Rim Complete

Nelson's Rudge 3 Speed Restoration
Wheel Spoke Nipple Complete


Nelson's Rudge 3 Speed Restoration - Front Wheel Complete

Nelson's Rudge 3 Speed Restoration - Wheels Complete

Nelson's Rudge 3 Speed Restoration
Custom Made Down Tube Decal

Nelson's Rudge 3 Speed Restoration
Custom Made Chain Guard Decal

Nelson's Rudge 3 Speed Restoration
Custom Made Seat Tube Decal

Nelson's Rudge 3 Speed Restoration
Decals Complete

Nelson's Rudge 3 Speed Restoration
Bicycle Complete

Nelson's Rudge 3 Speed Restoration
Bicycle Complete

Nelson's Rudge 3 Speed Restoration
Bicycle Complete

Nelson's Rudge 3 Speed Restoration
Bicycle Complete

Nelson's Rudge 3 Speed Restoration
Bicycle Complete

Nelson's Rudge 3 Speed Restoration
Bicycle Complete

Nelson's Rudge 3 Speed Restoration
Bicycle Complete

Nelson's Rudge 3 Speed Restoration
Bicycle Complete

Nelson's Rudge 3 Speed Restoration
Bicycle Complete

Nelson's Rudge 3 Speed Restoration
Bicycle Complete

Nelson's Rudge 3 Speed Restoration
Bicycle Complete

Nelson's Rudge 3 Speed Restoration
Bicycle Complete

Nelson's Rudge 3 Speed Restoration
Bicycle Complete

Nelson's Rudge 3 Speed Restoration
Bicycle Complete

Nelson's Rudge 3 Speed Restoration
Bicycle Complete

Nelson's Rudge 3 Speed Restoration
Bicycle Complete

Nelson's Rudge 3 Speed Restoration
Bicycle Complete

Nelson's Rudge 3 Speed Restoration
Bicycle Complete

Nelson's Rudge 3 Speed Restoration
Bicycle Complete

Nelson's Rudge 3 Speed Restoration
Bicycle Complete
Thank You
John