Sturmer Archer 3 speed shifter failure

[Thoglette]

My almost-new SA three speed shifter just fell apart in my hands (having dropped the cable half way up a hill, leaving me in top )

The thumb shifter element just fell out.

Has anyone else seen anything like this?

[koshari]

Was very common in the old dragster days. Used to look round for an old ringpull or something else to keep tension on the chain to limp home.

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[koen]

Not had experience with new thumbies. I used to use an old victa throttle lever on my high school bike SA wheel. Worked a treat though I never chanced a missed 2nd gear (there was that neutral spot) and used to go first to third.

[Miyata_912]

which shifter are you refering to, the standard 'retro' one or the extra heavy duty one?

[Thoglette]

which shifter are you refering to, the standard 'retro' one or the extra heavy duty one?

The standard late seventies three speed with the black plastic housing.
(See Martin Hanczyc's 2006 list )

Looking at Sheldon's pageit seems that one of the two toothed black "plates" has completely disappeared on the way home. Plus the bits between them.


(Image from Sheldon's site)

[Thoglette]

Looking at Sheldon's pageit seems that one of the two toothed black "plates" has completely disappeared on the way home. Plus the bits between them.

All the bits are there - its just whatever keeps them aligned has failed and the plates no longer stay aligned.

[Miyata_912]

I have never trusted that shifter just looked a little light on. I have been running 3 speeds for a while and have always upgraded to the heavy duty thumb shifter.

[ammie7]

Yes in my day you would put a piece of gravel in between the entry chain n the hub to take up the slack and hold it in gear. The size of the gravel determined the gear.
I have a 'Hercules' 3 SPd A Type 1.
Any ideas from the Muppet Theatre ?


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[Thoglette]

... have always upgraded to the heavy duty thumb shifter.

Which one's that ? I need to buy a new shifter - and would like to do so only once more!

[ammie7]

It depends on the look your after. The early 3spd S/A shifters do the trick. If you want a nice sturdy thumb shifter, with the early look. You can get a 'timing advance' lever from any vintage motorbike shop.
But the plastic S/A ones are based on second order levers which require good alignment.(actually the same mechanism as a rifle trigger).
So if you pull it left or right out of its plane of action it becomes loose. "User Error"


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[Thoglette]

But the plastic S/A ones are based on second order levers which require good alignment.(actually the same mechanism as a rifle trigger).
So if you pull it left or right out of its plane of action it becomes loose. "User Error"

Bit like the "user error" causing them to jump out of top under load (see Jobst Brandt, 2002) when TooLongLegs gets on them