Second gear slipping on Sturmey-Archer AW hub

[cjj]

I recently got a old Dahon California folding bike with a three-speed Sturmey-Archer AW 3-speed hub. It has 86-1 engraved on it, so I think that is the year. I took it out for its first run. At first it worked, then after a mile, the second gear started spinning most of the time if I went from 3 to 2. Usually if I go from 1 to 2 it would catch, but then it started catching and slipping out immediately, so the pedals would spin. (It also makes a noise when the right-hand pedal is pushed down, if that helps!)

I read a number of posts, but I am still not sure what the solution should be (oil it, adjust the tension, replace it, etc). Can anyone assist?

[DaveM]

It sounds like the cable needs to be adjusted.
http://oldbikeblog.blogspot.com/2008/07/how-to-adjust-sturmey-archer-three.html

Oiling the hub is probably a good idea, but doubtful that is the only issue.

[cjj]

Thank you! The url you sent is will be very useful. Thanks again.

[AW_hub]

(03-01-2011, 04:01 PM)cjj Wrote:  I recently got a old Dahon California folding bike with a three-speed Sturmey-Archer AW 3-speed hub. It has 86-1 engraved on it, so I think that is the year. I took it out for its first run. At first it worked, then after a mile, the second gear started spinning most of the time if I went from 3 to 2. Usually if I go from 1 to 2 it would catch, but then it started catching and slipping out immediately, so the pedals would spin. (It also makes a noise when the right-hand pedal is pushed down, if that helps!)

I read a number of posts, but I am still not sure what the solution should be (oil it, adjust the tension, replace it, etc). Can anyone assist?

It's simple to fix your 'slipping in second' problem. Put the handlebar selector in second gear. Now look closely at the indicator chain coming out of the rear hub (through the hole in the rh axle nut). You should see the tip of the fixed rod (where the chain joins) just appearing out the end of the axle.

Since it's slipping, you won't see the tip. Slacken off the gear cable at the rear hub until it just appears. Problem solved. And nothing is damaged (except your shin :-) ), the AW hub is amazingly robust.

PS There is a neutral gear between 2nd and 3rd with the AW hub. Your cable is pulling too tightly at present, so you are close to that 'neutral'. Cheers, AW_hub