12-speed derailleur to 3-speed AW conversion

My friend, Rod, needs a bike.  The most suitable bike in my garage is a 12-speed Peugeot in very poor condition.

Today I have been in the workshop with Rod getting this bike ready to ride.  However he doesn’t want 12 gears and would rather have a 3-speed hub gear.  (Obviously my enthusiasm for hub gearing is contagious.)

The existing steel rims rim are only fit for the scrap metal store, so I found two nice Rigida alloy rims and built one onto the existing front hub and the other onto an AW hub.  Meanwhile Rod stripped down the rest of the bike – with a little guidance here and there.

I have narrowed the back of the frame to take the new hub then Rod refitted the bottom bracket.

After Rod left I fitted the wheels and chainset.  Unfortunately the chainline is not perfect, but it is good enough to ride.  A new bottom bracket and chainset to correct this would be over budget.

We will continue work on this tomorrow.

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(7 September 2010)

Everything is now completed and running nicely.  It just needs a pair of tyres, which have been ordered, and the bike will be on the road.