Labarum

How a Raleigh Roadster was made in 1945.

British Council Film: How a Bicycle is Made

Old British Council Film with a rather pedestrian presentation, but a fascinating view of social history as well as of developing production methods and bike design.

How old is the boy? In our times a boys' voices break much sooner. He dresses just like his father - no teenage culture yet.

CuttersRidge

Speaking of which, a great English writer from the generation of "angry men" was Alan Sillitoe, best known for "Loneliness of a Long Distance Runner"; his father worked for Raleigh and this shows up in some of his writings; the bicycle factory if not by name. I'd have to call his writing great, often with a wry sense of humour.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alan_Sillitoe

So Raleigh fans and Cycling Anglophiles might find that of interest.

Also, just ran into a fellow who is looking for a Norman bicycle, actually a big company back in the day producing 5,000 bicycles a week in Ashford, Kent. Not a small number. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Norman_Cycles

Adding that in, a bit related as well.

rhm

Silllitoe himself also worked at Raleigh for a few years. In his obit on the radio a few years ago they said he operated a lathe in the Sturmey Archer division. I'm not sure when that was --the chronology in the Wikipedia article is not convincing, but some of us may well own hubs with parts he worked on. Any Norman, or one in particular? I don't think I rode mine at all last summer, maybe it's time to move it along....

speedy25

Great find Labarum. Thanks for sharing.

-SP