Shimano 3-speed

ceej said:

I have been looking for online information on overhaul of a Shimano type three speed hub.
I've got a John Deere bicycle that came to me in rusty pieces. The axle has been pulled, but the bearings are still in the hub.
I found the spring keepers floating around inside. So far I've been unsuccessful removing the bearings.

Is there a book title for repair of this hub?

How about an exploded view, or some tips for dissassembly?

CJ

It might be easier to lace a NEW hub onto the wheel ...

FWIW. See if one of these links helps you:

SG Internally Geared Hubs

SG-3C41 3-Speed Internal Hub with Coaster Brake

EV-SG-3C41-DX-2331 SI-35U0C

SG-3R40 3-Speed Internal Hub with Roller Brake

EV-SG-3R40_BR-IM31-R-2317 EV-SG-3R40-DX-2039 SI-3R40E SI-3S40K

OR:

techdocs.shimano.comblevel.jspOpen ↗

Bikepartsusa sometimes sells 26x1-3/8 wheels with 3-speeds already laced in. They seem to have them on and off.

Thanks for the leads. I'd already gone through the Shimano tech area. They don't seem to list anything quite that old.

I'll check bikepartsusa to see what they have.

🙂

CJ

And more of the ongoing low-tech story..... 😕

I got the wheel bearing retainer off. It was a press fit retainer.
The axle goes into the internal gearing from the drive side, and the slot comes up -almost- to the stationary side of the hub that forms the inner bearing race.
There are two keepers that hold the shift spring on the axle. One is slightly shorter than the other. It makes sense to me that the shorter keeper fits to the inside, and the longer keeper to the outside. That right?

There is a snap ring that can be seen under the inner bearing race. It looks like a great way to dismantle the gear cluster and cause myself further trouble.

I have been unsuccessful removing the left side inner race. I have also been unsuccessful removing the inner gear mechanism from the hub. This may be due to age and rust, or perhaps it was never meant to be taken apart...

Does anybody know how to take one of these older Shimano's apart? So far I haven't been able to find an exploded view. That would help a bunch.
On the newer hubs the drive side has a keeper that allows the transmission to be removed.
There appears to be a similar piece that serves as the inner race of the drive side on this older hub, but I don't want to put my press to it and trust dumb luck.
If I could get the guts out, I'd be set.

I've been scouring all the book shops for something that will help me. None of the online offerings mention the Shimano type three speeds in the Table of Contents.
This bike is from the 70's or perhaps the 80's. It's a freewheel type with caliper brakes at the rims. Most of the 26 X 1- 3/8" hubs I'm finding are Coaster brake hubs. I'd like to keep things original.

Thanks again.

CJ
PITA old guy w/o a clue 😄

Try sheldonbrown.com. He is a 3-speed fan. He seemed to think Shimano 3-speeds went through several revisions in their early days of the '70's and '80's. He also suggested they were too weak until later on.

I remember the short and long spring holders. I can't for the life of me recall which one went where but I remember they were black oxided (blued like a gun) and the shift rod left marks on one.

Unless you're enjoying the work, though, there are better ways to get a 3-speed. My Next Monterey Bay from Wal-Mart was $109 new, though I needed a taller seatpost and stem.

Not sure but I believe the bearing races are pressed in and aren't meant to be removed.

Thanks! That helps a bit.

It's a John Deere. The reason is to restore it for a Fire Department Buddy. He wants to give it to his wife. We live in Farm Land... One of those things. I need to find out if he's open to replacing the wheels. He's been out cutting all week. That time of year for farmers. Work, sleep. Go work some more.
I think I'll bag it until I find out what he wants to do.

Spent today working on a Fire Truck, so no bikes for me. My grandaughter peddled around inside the compound begging me to go for a ride with her. Grrr.... That would have been infinitely more fun! At least the truck's ready to go now.

🙂

CJ

If the bearing races are pitted I believe the hub's shot. Your best bet is to lace a new one in. I tried it once on an old hub and wound up with a straight wheel on the first shot. sheldonbrown.com has instructions.