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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.
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| Nelson's Rudge 3 Speed Restoration - Bicycle Before |
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Nelson's Rudge 3 Speed Restoration - Bicycle Before
Handlebars & Brake Levers |
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Nelson's Rudge 3 Speed Restoration - Bicycle Before
Shift Lever |
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Nelson's Rudge 3 Speed Restoration - Bicycle Before
Head Tube |
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Nelson's Rudge 3 Speed Restoration - Bicycle Before
Front Brake Caliper |
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Nelson's Rudge 3 Speed Restoration - Bicycle Before
Front Wheel Hub |
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Nelson's Rudge 3 Speed Restoration - Bicycle Before
Front Wheel Rim |
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Nelson's Rudge 3 Speed Restoration - Bicycle Before
Stem |
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Nelson's Rudge 3 Speed Restoration - Bicycle Before
Head Tube |
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Nelson's Rudge 3 Speed Restoration - Bicycle Before
Fork Crown |
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Nelson's Rudge 3 Speed Restoration - Bicycle Before
Front Wheel Hub |
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Nelson's Rudge 3 Speed Restoration - Bicycle Before
Down Tube |
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Nelson's Rudge 3 Speed Restoration - Bicycle Before
Down Tube |
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Nelson's Rudge 3 Speed Restoration - Bicycle Before
Top Tube |
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Nelson's Rudge 3 Speed Restoration - Bicycle Before
Made in England |
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Nelson's Rudge 3 Speed Restoration - Bicycle Before
Saddle |
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Nelson's Rudge 3 Speed Restoration - Bicycle Before
Down Tube |
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Nelson's Rudge 3 Speed Restoration - Bicycle Before
Down Tube |
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Nelson's Rudge 3 Speed Restoration - Bicycle Before
Down Tube |
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Nelson's Rudge 3 Speed Restoration - Bicycle Before
Bottom Bracket |
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Nelson's Rudge 3 Speed Restoration - Bicycle Before
Crank |
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Nelson's Rudge 3 Speed Restoration - Bicycle Before
Pedal |
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Nelson's Rudge 3 Speed Restoration - Bicycle Before
Seat Lug |
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Nelson's Rudge 3 Speed Restoration - Bicycle Before
Rear Brake Caliper |
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Nelson's Rudge 3 Speed Restoration - Bicycle Before
Rear Rack |
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Nelson's Rudge 3 Speed Restoration - Bicycle Before
Rear Wheel Hub |
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Nelson's Rudge 3 Speed Restoration - Bicycle Before
Rear Fender |
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Nelson's Rudge 3 Speed Restoration - Bicycle Before
Rear Wheel Rim |
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Nelson's Rudge 3 Speed Restoration - Bicycle Before
Rear Reflector |
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Nelson's Rudge 3 Speed Restoration - Bicycle Before
Rear Fender Strut |
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Nelson's Rudge 3 Speed Restoration - Bicycle Before
Chain Guard |
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Nelson's Rudge 3 Speed Restoration - Bicycle Before
Chain Guard |
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| Nelson's Rudge 3 Speed Restoration - Frame Before |
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Nelson's Rudge 3 Speed Restoration - Frame Before
Head Tube |
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Nelson's Rudge 3 Speed Restoration - Frame Before
Head Tube |
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| Nelson's Rudge 3 Speed Restoration - Frame Before |
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Nelson's Rudge 3 Speed Restoration - Frame Before
Top Tube |
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Nelson's Rudge 3 Speed Restoration - Frame Before
Down Tube |
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Nelson's Rudge 3 Speed Restoration - Frame Before
Seat Lug |
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Nelson's Rudge 3 Speed Restoration - Frame Before
Down Tube |
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Nelson's Rudge 3 Speed Restoration - Frame Before
Down Tube |
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Nelson's Rudge 3 Speed Restoration - Frame Before
Bottom Bracket |
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Nelson's Rudge 3 Speed Restoration - Frame Before
Bottom Bracket |
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Nelson's Rudge 3 Speed Restoration - Frame Before
Bottom Bracket |
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Nelson's Rudge 3 Speed Restoration - Frame Before
Seat Lug |
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Nelson's Rudge 3 Speed Restoration - Frame Before
Drop Outs |
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Nelson's Rudge 3 Speed Restoration - Frame Before
Seat Stays |
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Nelson's Rudge 3 Speed Restoration - Frame Before
Fork |
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Nelson's Rudge 3 Speed Restoration - Frame Before
Fork Crown |
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Nelson's Rudge 3 Speed Restoration - Frame Before
Fork Crown |
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Nelson's Rudge 3 Speed Restoration - Frame Before
Fork Crown |
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Nelson's Rudge 3 Speed Restoration - Frame Before
Fork Blades |
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Nelson's Rudge 3 Speed Restoration - Frame Before
Fork Blades |
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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.
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Nelson's Rudge 3 Speed Restoration - Frame Before
Cleaning Paste |
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| Nelson's Rudge 3 Speed Restoration - Frame Polished |
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Nelson's Rudge 3 Speed Restoration - Frame Polished
Head Tube |
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Nelson's Rudge 3 Speed Restoration - Frame Polished
Head Tube |
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Nelson's Rudge 3 Speed Restoration - Frame Polished
Head Tube |
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Nelson's Rudge 3 Speed Restoration - Frame Polished
Top Tube |
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Nelson's Rudge 3 Speed Restoration - Frame Polished
Down Tube |
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Nelson's Rudge 3 Speed Restoration - Frame Polished
Top Tube Rough Spot |
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Nelson's Rudge 3 Speed Restoration - Frame Polished
Seat Lug |
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Nelson's Rudge 3 Speed Restoration - Frame Polished
Down Tube |
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Nelson's Rudge 3 Speed Restoration - Frame Polished
Down Tube |
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Nelson's Rudge 3 Speed Restoration - Frame Polished
Bottom Bracket |
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Nelson's Rudge 3 Speed Restoration - Frame Polished
Bottom Bracket |
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Nelson's Rudge 3 Speed Restoration - Frame Polished
Bottom Bracket |
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Nelson's Rudge 3 Speed Restoration - Frame Polished
Seat Lug |
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Nelson's Rudge 3 Speed Restoration - Frame Polished
Seat Stay - Rough Areas |
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Nelson's Rudge 3 Speed Restoration - Frame Polished
Chain Stays - Rough Areas |
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Nelson's Rudge 3 Speed Restoration - Frame Polished
Drop Outs - Rough Areas |
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Nelson's Rudge 3 Speed Restoration - Frame Polished
Drop Outs |
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Nelson's Rudge 3 Speed Restoration - Frame Polished
Fork |
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Nelson's Rudge 3 Speed Restoration - Frame Polished
Fork Crown |
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Nelson's Rudge 3 Speed Restoration - Frame Polished
Fork Crown |
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Nelson's Rudge 3 Speed Restoration - Frame Polished
Fork Blade |
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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.
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| Nelson's Rudge 3 Speed Restoration - Frame Painted Black |
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Nelson's Rudge 3 Speed Restoration - Frame Painted Black
Head Tube |
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Nelson's Rudge 3 Speed Restoration - Frame Painted Black
Head Tube |
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Nelson's Rudge 3 Speed Restoration - Frame Painted Black
Head Tube |
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Nelson's Rudge 3 Speed Restoration - Frame Painted Black
Down Tube |
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Nelson's Rudge 3 Speed Restoration - Frame Painted Black
Seat Lug |
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Nelson's Rudge 3 Speed Restoration - Frame Painted Black
Bottom Bracket |
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Nelson's Rudge 3 Speed Restoration - Frame Painted Black
Seat Lug |
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Nelson's Rudge 3 Speed Restoration - Frame Painted Black
Bottom Bracket |
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Nelson's Rudge 3 Speed Restoration - Frame Painted Black
Chain Stays |
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Nelson's Rudge 3 Speed Restoration - Frame Painted Black
Fork |
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Nelson's Rudge 3 Speed Restoration - Frame Painted Black
Fork Crown |
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Nelson's Rudge 3 Speed Restoration - Frame Painted Black
Fork Blades |
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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!
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Nelson's Rudge 3 Speed Restoration - Headset & Bottom Bracket
Before |
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Nelson's Rudge 3 Speed Restoration - Headset & Bottom Bracket
Before |
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| Nelson's Rudge 3 Speed Restoration - Pressing Headset Cuips |
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Nelson's Rudge 3 Speed Restoration - Headset Cups
Pressed |
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Nelson's Rudge 3 Speed Restoration - Headset Bearings
Packed |
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Nelson's Rudge 3 Speed Restoration - Headset Bearings
Packed |
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| Nelson's Rudge 3 Speed Restoration - Headset Complete |
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| Nelson's Rudge 3 Speed Restoration - Headset Complete |
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| Nelson's Rudge 3 Speed Restoration - Bottom Bracket Complete |
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| Nelson's Rudge 3 Speed Restoration - Bottom Bracket Complete |
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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.
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| Nelson's Rudge 3 Speed Restoration - Stem Before |
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| Nelson's Rudge 3 Speed Restoration - Stem Exploded |
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| Nelson's Rudge 3 Speed Restoration - Stem & Handlebars Before |
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| Nelson's Rudge 3 Speed Restoration - Handlebars Before |
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| Nelson's Rudge 3 Speed Restoration - Handlebars Before |
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| Nelson's Rudge 3 Speed Restoration - Stem Polished |
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| Nelson's Rudge 3 Speed Restoration - Stem Complete |
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| Nelson's Rudge 3 Speed Restoration - Stem & Handlebars Polished |
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| Nelson's Rudge 3 Speed Restoration - Handlebars Polished |
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| Nelson's Rudge 3 Speed Restoration - Handlebars Polished |
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Nelson's Rudge 3 Speed Restoration - Stem & Handlebars
Polished |
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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.
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| Nelson's Rudge 3 Speed Restoration - Removing Rust with a Battery Charger |
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| Nelson's Rudge 3 Speed Restoration - Removing Rust with a Battery Charger |
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| Nelson's Rudge 3 Speed Restoration - Removing Rust with a Battery Charger |
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| Nelson's Rudge 3 Speed Restoration - Removing Rust with a Battery Charger |
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Nelson's Rudge 3 Speed Restoration
Removing Rust with a Battery Charger |
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| Nelson's Rudge 3 Speed Restoration - Front Wheel Before |
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| Nelson's Rudge 3 Speed Restoration - Front Wheel Rim Before |
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| Nelson's Rudge 3 Speed Restoration - Rear Wheel Rim Before |
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| Nelson's Rudge 3 Speed Restoration - Rear Wheel Hub BEfore |
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| Nelson's Rudge 3 Speed Restoration - Rear Wheel Hub Before |
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| Nelson's Rudge 3 Speed Restoration - Rear Wheel Hub Pieces Before |
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| Nelson's Rudge 3 Speed Restoration - Rear Wheel Hub Before |
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Nelson's Rudge 3 Speed Restoration - Rear Wheel Hub
Polished |
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Nelson's Rudge 3 Speed Restoration - Rear Wheel Hub
Bearings Greased |
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| Nelson's Rudge 3 Speed Restoration - Axle Pieces Ready |
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| Nelson's Rudge 3 Speed Restoration - Rear Wheel Complete |
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| Nelson's Rudge 3 Speed Restoration - Rear Wheel Complete |
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| Nelson's Rudge 3 Speed Restoration - Rear Wheel Rim Complete |
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Nelson's Rudge 3 Speed Restoration
Wheel Spoke Nipple Complete |
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| Nelson's Rudge 3 Speed Restoration - Front Wheel Complete |
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| Nelson's Rudge 3 Speed Restoration - Wheels Complete |
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Nelson's Rudge 3 Speed Restoration
Custom Made Down Tube Decal |
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Nelson's Rudge 3 Speed Restoration
Custom Made Chain Guard Decal |
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Nelson's Rudge 3 Speed Restoration
Custom Made Seat Tube Decal |
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Nelson's Rudge 3 Speed Restoration
Decals Complete |
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Nelson's Rudge 3 Speed Restoration
Bicycle Complete |
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Nelson's Rudge 3 Speed Restoration
Bicycle Complete |
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Nelson's Rudge 3 Speed Restoration
Bicycle Complete |
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Nelson's Rudge 3 Speed Restoration
Bicycle Complete |
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Nelson's Rudge 3 Speed Restoration
Bicycle Complete |
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Nelson's Rudge 3 Speed Restoration
Bicycle Complete |
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Nelson's Rudge 3 Speed Restoration
Bicycle Complete |
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Nelson's Rudge 3 Speed Restoration
Bicycle Complete |
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Nelson's Rudge 3 Speed Restoration
Bicycle Complete |
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Nelson's Rudge 3 Speed Restoration
Bicycle Complete |
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Nelson's Rudge 3 Speed Restoration
Bicycle Complete |
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Nelson's Rudge 3 Speed Restoration
Bicycle Complete |
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Nelson's Rudge 3 Speed Restoration
Bicycle Complete |
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Nelson's Rudge 3 Speed Restoration
Bicycle Complete |
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Nelson's Rudge 3 Speed Restoration
Bicycle Complete |
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Nelson's Rudge 3 Speed Restoration
Bicycle Complete |
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Nelson's Rudge 3 Speed Restoration
Bicycle Complete |
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Nelson's Rudge 3 Speed Restoration
Bicycle Complete |
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Nelson's Rudge 3 Speed Restoration
Bicycle Complete |
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Nelson's Rudge 3 Speed Restoration
Bicycle Complete |
Thank You
John
