Raleigh Colt
 

I found this today - in my stomach I think i overpaid, but I just couldn't leave it.
It's got a lot of wear on the steel, but it's complete and that rack was just to die for.
It's a Wright leather saddle and the owner (who HAD to be 90) threw in the Brooks mattress for free.
The hub is a 3 speed SA with apparently a coaster brake, to go along with the front brake.
I cleaned off the hub a bit but haven't deciphered the date yet.
when I clean it up I will decide what to do with it, because of its size, its the first male Raleigh I could probably ride.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2564/...c193b3bf_b.jpg

Looks like a nice find to me Erasergirl. Just needs a litte bit of spit and polish to make it shine. And weren't you looking for some mattress saddes a short time ago? Gotta love those Ralieghs.

If memory serves, the Raleigh Colt was the youth version of the Sports. Targeted at the younger set.

Excellent find. Try some aluminum foil and lemon juice on the chrome; start with the fenders. You may be amazed at what you get.

Nice catch! I had the Rudge equivalent of that bike, and it was a good rider. I had to derust and polish like a madman on my Colt, but ALL of the plated parts turned out to be useable. Raleigh chrome must be good quality.

Nice!:thumb: That is only the second hump back frame I have ever seen. My wife rides a Colt, it is the only full sized Raleigh 3 speed she fits on.

Aaron:)

http://inlinethumb60.webshots.com/46...600x600Q85.jpg

what's the hump for?

Did that hump come from a front end collision??JUST KIDDING!!!

I believe the hump is just a design aspect of the bike.

This is from Oldroads.com:

These were top of the line Raleigh bicycles finished to the full standard of the Sports. That is, Raleigh patent wheels ("Westrick"), brazed fender stays instead of the cheaper bent wire (fewer rattles), and brazons where the lower eschelon models used clamps. The Colt was intended for juveniles and came with 5.5 inch cranks (difficult to find). The boy's model had a distinctive curved top tube.

Looks like a sweet enough bike to me! :love:

Lower the saddle to pedal dimension and possibly to shorten the reach to the handlebars? Just guessing.

Aaron:)

http://inlinethumb12.webshots.com/14...500x500Q85.jpg

yep, shortening the reach to the handlebars would be what brings.
thanks!
i hadn't thought of that.
IF that had been the result of a crash then something about the lower bar and headset would have been wonky..that's the 1st thing i looked for.

Here is a green girls model that's been lying around for a while in my garage. You're right EraserGirl, the rack design is cool. It says Prestube Minor on it with a patent number. The pedals are pretty sharp as well.

Ive got a couple of Raleigh Phasers.
They are 24" wheeled boys roadsters. But Ive converted them into a MTB and a BMX.

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c2...verandgold.jpg

I got a roadster thats the same frame but has 26" wheels. Its a gold colour.
Its got MTB cranks on it. Going to be nine speed. Triple chainset with a 3 speed hub.

I see the Colts every now and then in Boston, but I think in other areas of the US they are pretty rare. Those original Raleigh racks alone are quite desirable! And I would love to find a 26" wheel with an AWC hub for my Ladies Sports - which has the regular AW (non-coasterbrake) hub.

I think that's the first Colt I've seen in green. I like it better than the usual candy colors that they came in.
The top tube also allows a longer head tube with the shorter seat tube, like on the older american frames or the modern (but less pleasing) sloping top tubes.