Hi Harvey, Many thanks for the head-up. I'll be interested if you have a later version of the same hub for sale. I only just noticed how far out the left flange is before I read your email, but I though nothing of it. I wonder if modern, slightly thicker gauge spokes, would cope with the stress. Anyway, many thanks again. All the best, Peter Rogers
Barrie, Ontario, Canada
From: hmsachs@verizon.net Sent: Tuesday, June 29, 2010 6:40 PM To: pjrogers@rogers.com ; classicrendezvous@bikelist.org Subject: Don't use those Normandy Hubs...
My first J.C. Higgins, dated about 1960 or '61 (Campag Gran Sport) came with these hubs, and the rear has a nasty defect. In Peter's picture, notice the position of the left flange. It is almost as far to the left as possible. This leads to a super-dished wheel, and they are incredibly efficient at popping the overstressed right side spokes.
I suspect that this configuration was a relict from early 3- and 4-speed versions, where the dish would have been less extreme. I have a pair of the slightly later hubs, which look identical, but the left flange is moved inboard. Of course, on that bike, the spokes don't break, since it is the closest thing I have to a wall-art decoration; I haven't ridden it in a couple of years.
your mileage may vary. harvey sachs mcLean va Peter, ask me next week if I have a spare of the slightly later ones...
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Peter Rogers asked about the age of some Normandy HF hubs, illustrated at http://petersclassicwheels.blogspot.com/