One for the wrinklies - BSA Top tube shifter

[zikkimalambo]

Hi All,

I did ask over in rec.bicycles.tech, but got only one reply......

Does anyone here remember what the internals of a BSA top tube shifter should be like?

That is to say a BSA manufactured (and possibly designed) gear shifter which attaches to the top tube of a bicycle to control a 3 speed Sturmey Archer type hub?

I am trying to get one working, but it looks as though someone has been in there before me.

Most bits seem to be there exceprt for the bit that the cable attaches to. It looks like i'll have to make something, but if any of you with long memories can remember what the original was like, it would help.

Picture is at

oblong bit with 2 holes on the right of the lever is I think a previous owners attempt to make up something to attach the cable. The item on the right is the cover plate that goes on the outside of the lever, I imagine that it would have been possible to change a cable using the access hole in this.

The end of the cable and the nipple are at the left and from the way the cable (run bare without an outer) is routed on the frame, if it were to run horizontal it would come in at the top of the half moon shaped plate. This would be no good, so I assume it actualy runs downwards Hmm.... it's not obvious from the picture, but the cable entry is only from about

8.30 - 6.30 (if you think of the half moon plate as the bottom of a clock face.

Anyways, i've burbled enough.

All (polite, non injurious, and physically possible) sugestions welcome.

[Roger Mills]

I don't know about BSA shifters for SA 3-speeds, but you can still buy genuine SA shifters. Have a look at

and scroll down to Gear Shifters.

[zikkimalambo]

Thanks Roger,

I may be wrong, but I doubt even they have top tube shifters in Stock.

The hub is in fact also BSA and while I think it probably would work with a modern (or older) handlebar mounted trigger, or an SA top tube (correctly called quadrant shifter) from ebay, i'd like to get the original going if I can.

It's so nearly complete, it really should be possible, but i'd rather not design from scratch if I don't have to.

It may be that I end up taking a modern one apart and modding the cable nipple holding thingie to fit.

Please keep the suggestions comming guys.

[.]

try asking in uk.rec.cycling.

[Chris Bacon]

I've got one of those fitted to a bike, but it's about 300 miles away.

You could well try a cycling shop (that does repairs as well as sales, not Halfrauds or similar).

[Cicero]

==================== Buy new here:

[PeterK]

From

are a series of Sturmey Archer links ( yes I know BSA but they may have common features) & at there is an illustration of a top tube mounted shifter showing the cable not entering the shifter but being connected to the shift lever external to the "case"

Peter K

[zikkimalambo]

Thanks for the replies guys.

I had had a look at Sheldon Browns site and also at the SA Heritage Site, but haven't found any exploded diagrams yet (though i'm told there may be one in a Brown Brothers catalogue on the SA Heritage site).

With regard to Cycles of Yesteryear, I did manage to touch base with the proprieter yesterday, he doesn't sell new top mounted shifters, but is going to look through his box of bits to see if he has a second hand one.

I have discovered that an SA one won't do :=(( (unless it would be possible to modify it) as part of the deal between SA and BSA was that they (BSA) would make theirs non compatible (so they couldn't steal SA's spare part & replacement cables & shifter business I suppose).

I have also discovered that the SA round top tube type shifters were known as "banjo" shifters (Thanks to Peter Read of Phoenix Hub Repairs in Milton Keynes)

I think even Sheldon Brown would have to take off his epicyclic sandals in the presence of Peter, he has written a huge book which lists the history and just about everything else there is to know about SA.

I think you are right that the BSA shifter should have a rod coming out of it for the cable to connect to, just wish i'd paid more attention the other exibitors bikes at the annual Amberly Museum vintage cycle day last month.

[zikkimalambo]

Gotit!

't know how long it will be there, but for anyone who comes "googling after" at the moment it's there in the 1930's brown Brothers catalogue.

Perhaps I should put the bike to one side and get on with fixing the TARDIS, then I could nip down to Brown brothers and pick up the bit I need for 9d!

[Cicero]

==================== Buy new here: