Sturmey Archer Hub

The hub has arrived! First task is to clean it up.

How to tell and what to do if you have a Sturmey Archer hub:

It should say on the rear hub what kind it is. If you have a 3 speed hub then most likely it’s a Sturmey Archer. These things last forever and rarely need to be disassembled. There should be an oil port on it. Flood that thing with 20W motor oil.

You most likely need a new shifter cable and possibly a new indicator chain. Lucky for you they are cheap.

Cable.

Mark I indicator chain.

Mark II Indicator chain.

You may have to shorten the cable housing. Use the one that came with the bike to figure out how much to remove.

If you still have the original indicator chain and it is not too banged up then use that. There are two sizes and you need the correct one for the bike.

Correct indicator chain sizing:
If your axle measures 5 3/4″, the correct indicator is HSA125 (a.k.a. Mark I).
If your axle measures 6 1/4″, the correct indicator is HSA126 (a.k.a. Mark II).

Anyway, if your original is good. Use it. Flood that hub with oil. It should overflow. With the indicator chain in, flip the bike over and spin the rear wheel. Pull the chain repeatedly to work that new oil in there. It’ll free up any stuck parts.

Attach the cable barrel end to the indicator chain. Shift the shifter to 3. Cable should not be too slack or too tight. Try shifting. If it is too tight loosen the barrel on the cable. If it is too loose, tighten it.

Correct indicator chain sizing:
If your axle measures 5 3/4″, the correct indicator is HSA125 (a.k.a. Mark I).
If your axle measures 6 1/4″, the correct indicator is HSA126 (a.k.a. Mark II).

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