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Classic Vintage Cycles - The Forum -> Choppers & Cruisers -> MK II Chopper 5-speed conversion
Post Info TOPIC: MK II Chopper 5-speed conversion
Hoover5Ken


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MK II Chopper 5-speed conversion
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This is a selection of pictures about my January 1979 Black prismatic Raleigh Chopper which has been converted from the standard 3 speed to a 5 speed

Here it is as originally built 3 speed but with a black gear knob from an SE model, not the red knob it came with




And the normal 3-speed toggle chain hub gears with alloy spoke protector


The S5.1 Sturmey Archer hub works with two toggle chains and not the usual one toggle chain. The right hand side set up is identical to a 3-speed set up but the left hand side is the extra bit. I got hold of a 5 speed hub dated January 1979 so it matched the original date. This was built into the wheel and the 3 speed hub removed. 

First thing is you need a 3+2 shift lever from a MK I Chopper which fits without a problem. I have changed the actual chrome levers to MK II shifter levers taken from MK II normal levers because the bike is a MK II and not a MK I.



Then put the new wheel in as normal and set up the gears as you would do for a normal three speed


Then you have to set up a second toggle chain on the left hand side


Next was to fit two toggle chain protectors.


Here they are fitted



What happens when riding is that with the left hand lever vertical, the right hand lever gives you normal 1-2-3 gears. If you push the left hand lever forwards it makes the gears better. 1st gear becomes lower making it easier to ride up hill and 3rd gear is higher giving you a higher top speed. 2nd gear stays the same.

As this is possibly the only S5.1 Chopper that exists it is a very special one off bike and I have also fitted SE brake levers


And here it is:






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wolverine_x


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Simply Awesoooommmmeeeee!

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dmonster


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Outstanding piece of work!
How much time and money have you spend on this gem?



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KJPoon


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We should go UK someday, for sure!
Thanks for sharing with us!



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Hoover5Ken


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Is it easy to get parts where you are? In the UK its fairly easy to get bits although new stuff or rechromed can be very expensive.



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Citylimit


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Rear Hub.jpgHammer.jpgshifter.pngHi Hoover5Ken

i have a few question, hope you can help

1. i have a SA hub, indicate 5 speed (S5), but not able to read the year, as i see only a 7' and far apart another 3 or 5
so i not sure which year and i have a 3+2 shifter with override, and both shifter come with a shifter.
on the right side is similar to yours, with a pully for 3 speeds
but on the left side, i have a different nut, which is a mechanism of a "hammering" kindly refer to the picture.
i do not have the pin type with a screw thread on the tip.
when i using the right side pin on the left hole, but i cannot screw in the pin, seem like not thread.
do you have any idea what type of SA hub i having, and how it work, because i also do not the the knocking pin of the left side.

2. i saw from your photo, you have the "white cap" and the "bracket" do you sell those item and send to Singapore.

thank you
Raymond



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Hoover5Ken


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The hub that I have is the S5.1 type which was only fitted to USA Choppers. My bike should not have this type of hub, I put it on specially.

Your hub is the correct one for your chopper. you have an S5, I have the S5.1.

The 7 on the hub has to be either 70 0r 73 but is most likely to be 1970. The second number is missing but I think it is a 70 or 1970. the 3 or 5 is either March or May.

The right hand side is the same as mine but your left hand side is different. There is a bar that sits inside the hub axle and sticks out of the end about 1 cm. You use the piece that you have photographed as the left hand wheel nut. You attach the gear cable end to it and when you pull the left hand gear lever it pushes the bar in the axle inwards. This makes the high/low ratio work. You need the bar. A toggle chain will not go in.

In a few days I will see if I can photograph the hub like yours so that you can see it. This bike in the picture has your hub on it but its too far away to see properly



-- Edited by Hoover5Ken on Monday 10th of June 2013 04:57:50 AM



-- Edited by Hoover5Ken on Monday 10th of June 2013 05:00:56 AM

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Hoover5Ken


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Here are some pictures with my specially made MK II High Back Rest (HBR) sissey bar fitted. I have made this from new and I think it is the only MK II HBR in the world. All original and copy HBRs are for MK I choppers and have the round top. This has the MK II flat top.





Here it is next to a standard MK II which is what my bike looked like before I converted it with the extra parts


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Citylimit


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Hi Hoover

thank you so much for your advice.
i will try to self make a pin / bar and see how it work

i will feature my bike soon when i back as i am outstation


best regards
Raymond Tang



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Hoover5Ken


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This picture of the lefthand rear hub shows the bell crank attached to a bike. The push rod can be made from a 6 inch nail but you need to cut it down to the right length then insert it with the head of the nail on the outside of the axle. The picture didn't come out very well.



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Niteman1969


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Hi, here is a picture of my 69 tallframe 3+2 with early plate type bellcrank, shows the pin clearly.

Hope this helps.....



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Citylimit


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thank you for sharing the photo
will fabricate a pin

Raymond

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Hoover5Ken


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Some people use a nail about 2 or 3 inches long

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