Armstrong - Secret Locking Mechanism

[Flying Merlino Brother]

Is there anything unusual about the steerer tube, neck and fork assembly? Is there some Egyptian secret unlocking chamber inside the fork to remove this assembly?

Sitting in dry storage for 20 plus years and bought with Buick hub cap.

 

[twojs.bike]

I’m confused about what is going on. Is the stem stuck? Looks like you are trying to remove the headset. The stem needs to be removed first. Or am I not understanding the question?

 

[twojs.bike]

I am very interested in this bike though! Can I get a picture of the entire bike? Do you know the age? The “made in England” makes me think it was made by Raleigh. 3 speed?

 

[Wildcat]

Nice English bike.

Loosen the bolt on the stem (in red) then tap it with a hammer to free up the stem so it will come out. Being that old it may not want to cooperate. Then loosen the cap nut using channel locks or whatever big wrench will fit the nut (in green). The threads look rough so it may take some effort.

 

[Flying Merlino Brother]

Two days of PB Blaster and tapping the stem bolt (after loosing it a couple turns) seems to have done it. Another night of PB and it should come out tommorow!

Thank you!

 

[Flying Merlino Brother]

I’m confused about what is going on. Is the stem stuck? Looks like you are trying to remove the headset. The stem needs to be removed first. Or am I not understanding the question?

You got it. The stem is stuck in the fork in a way I am questioning my reality that it is impossible this is one piece!

I am very interested in this bike though! Can I get a picture of the entire bike? Do you know the age? The “made in England” makes me think it was made by Raleigh. 3 speed?

I am the second owner. I had a 90 minute visit with the original owner. It was his 16th birthday gift (1963 or 64 as he recollects) from his parents. The following year he put a speedometer on it and racked up over 500 miles cutting grass and delivering papers. Three speed, yes, needs an overhaul but in good shape overall. He has another Robin Hood with a Brooks sadle but I couldn't take advantage of him. I am first in the list if he decides to sell it.

I'll gather or take photos as it moves along.

 

[twojs.bike]

I’m not 100% sure, but it was probably made by Raleigh. In which case most of the threading is not compatible with standard bike parts. Do your best to save all the parts.

These threads look damaged. Is that preventing you from unscrewing the las piece of the headset?

 

[Wildcat]

The headbadge says Birmingham. When Raleigh took over they were all made in Nottingham. It may be a 50's bike. If you have the rear 3 speed wheel, the 2 digit date will be stamped on the hub shell. Like this one made in the ninth month of 1952:

 

[MattiThundrrr]

Birmingham was huge in the development of the bicycle. There were many companies making bikes there.
"Throughout the 1890s and into the first half of the 20th century, Rover, and Triumph in Coventry and B.S.A. and Hercules in Birmingham expanded rapidly becoming major players in the global market. As late as 1927, the region remained the centre of the industry with Birmingham-based Hercules Cycles employing directly or indirectly 25,000 people and producing 30,000 bicycles a week in its 11-acre factory in Aston."

https://www.birmingham.ac.uk/news/2023/the-bicycles-past-and-future-in-birmingham-and-beyond