rhm

I understand what you've done, and it's good. The FM hub can be a challenge; I gave up on mine.

And I understand you sold the original chain set and brakes for pretty good money but still... Do you have photos of them? The chain set in particular looks really cool.

I'd believe the handlebar that came with it was original. I have a very similar bar on a 1951 Raleigh Lenton Sports. It's not a comfortable bar to ride with.

Bicyclz

.....Fails to recognize this as C&V Forum. The finest examples include taste and artful functionality.

Could not agree more: )
When taste & functionality are concerned, it's an endless debate.
But so interesting.

Bicyclz

I do have photos of the chain-set somewhere... I will look: )
The chainset is particular only to Royal Enfields top models of the time. Superlight & Zephyr (REs 531 'roadbike') I believe.
These were early alloy chain-wheels & mine ended up in USA.




This is the catalogue listing from 1954ish. Later Superlites had a steel chain-wheel.

The bars were Baily & never original on the RE Superlight. (Superlite was a 'straight bar' touring/sports machine) but they helped me pay for the frame.
Raleigh Lentons & Rudge Pathfinder (had one: ) were different machines.

Royal Enfield was much smaller than Raleigh & more individualistic I would say. The RE Revelation small wheelers just before they 'crashed' are a good example of this.

Bicyclz

Royal Enfield made bicycles & motorcycles up until end of 1967.
Went into liquidation, then the Motorcyle interests were sold to Indian buyers.

The RE bicycle interests were sold to a company called Kirk & Merifield in Birmingham.

Their Royal Enfield bicycles were then head-badged Royal Enfield, Birmingham.

My current badge on this machine does say Birmingham, & is not original.
Long story attached to this..... Ask....

Point is: pre 68 Royal Enfields are the full monte.

Post 67 M/Cs I know nothing much about: ) But I've seen a couple locally & they have an enthusiastic following. (Paying extras to get 'Type Approved')
Post 67 RE bicycles went downhill rapidly. Do not consider is MHO.

I am looking at 'lights': )
Like the idea of modern LCDs in orginal looking outers.
When I got it powdercoated I had the option to 'lose' the front fork lamp bracket attachment.
But I kept it because I wanted the option to use either the original lamps, or updated versions of them.
Not decided yet, but I like your hints: )

Bicyclz

This is one of my later (1956ish on) Superlights with original paint.
As found.



This is slightly later than my current machine, but shows the original style of the bike then.
A 1950s English 'Sports' Bike.

Kilroy1988 

Being way over in California and only beginning my quest to collect a number of old British club bicycles, I would absolutely invest quite a bit of energy in cleaning up/restoring this bicycle to nearly original condition if it fell into my hands. However, since you're in England and I am aware of the glut of old machines that are simply wasting away in sheds and selling for next to naught on the open market, I can empathize with your build. We see folks doing such things here in the states all the time with the vintage steel that would be considered rare in Europe, as well.

I think you've managed to get an impressive finish on the build, and am pleased to see that you've kept it so light! If I could add one suggestion, I'd say you should give some pinstriping a go and try to get around those pretty little lugs. It would highlight the vintage lines. Even better, you could try to match those spear points on your other Superlight in white or gold, which I think would look stunning against that red paint.

Cheers!

-Gregory

Bicyclz

@ Kilroy1988 Your suggestion re the refinish is properly put. I did consider all sorts of options, but the powdercoating (IE Single Colour) seemed sensible & so that's what I did.
The lugs are pretty plain to my eye & so I did not think about it too much.

I do have another fine French (Diamant Mixte) frame though next up for consideration, with lovely lugs... No powdercoating for this one:


It will be coffee & cream, close to what you see here: ) I was trying different colour combinations via rattle can.
I love the curved mixte frame design & this one does have lugs which need highlighting perhaps?
It also has lots of original parts, like the guards, lamp, pedals, chain-wheel, chain-guard, rack etc.
A proper 'one off' if you ask me: ) And typically French. I love it.

It currently has a Sturmey Archer AM 3 speed hub built into its 550b (I think) French rim.
Similar in that way to the Royal Enfield.... I do like the SA hubs.

Bicyclz

I found a couple of photos of the original chain-wheel eventually. You can probably see that it was well worn & not for prolonged use....

It's quite a rare item nowadays, & would be better on a show bike or something.
Another pic of the chain-wheel on an RE Revelation small wheeler here on my site.

I got my FM working on all four ths morning: )
I'd changed the cable when I rebuilt it & so let the cable settle in before adjusting it.
It's typical 4 speed needing quite a bit of force on the trigger in low, but it does click in & has not yet jumped out!

This one has the SA quick release toggle chain connector & it doesn't jump out even with the high cable tension in low. Fingers crossed a little on that one.

The alloy brake callipers were a very long drop (on a 26" wheel) & they were not effective for modern use IMO..
They were better off in the hands of RE enthusiast I reckon. I've got Carreras on it currently & they are are at their lower limits on 700 rims, but excellent braking with them.

rhm

Thanks for the photo! That is a gorgeous crank, but as you say, worn out. I can see why you took the money and ran.

Bicyclz

I liked the frame on ebay & took something back to fix the whole thing after I bought it: )
As you might?
I took the money (I foresaw) & ran.... (As per SMB who I love forever: )
Also got something similar for the Baily bars.....
How cool?

Result is a lovely, usable, cheap, quality machine.
No downside to that; )

Bicyclz

Did you do it? Tell us if you did...
This was a really cheap powdercoat I thought. £40 Sterling.
I'm still riding it with much so much pleasure: )

OTS 

Not yet BUT a top winter project.
Funds a concern for now and too many other projects in the queue.
Thanks for the bump.
I loved revisiting this project.
Well done, well played.

Bicyclz

I'll be looking for yours: )
Do show us plz.

Me I am currently distracted by this Carrera Podium....
Point being that there are always other, nore interesting frames to deal with: )
Always too many in my case.
But I do know that others are also dealing with this same affliction, so I know I'm not alone....; )

Bicyclz

Been updating this one, & its recently arrived sister.

Pics of both here, just an hour ago in poor light.
Thought they'd be cool together: )
The black one is in original paint & running 27" SS at the moment.
Red one has a SA FM.



The black one is 1960 & has a normal lugged BB . The red one, from 1955, has a 'Flash Welded' BB.
Pretty much the same else.

Great frames to customise are these, & the Royal Enfield 'Made Like Gun' head-badge just pleases me.
Was intending to refinish the black one when I bought it, but it's much too good to do that. Spoil the original decals etc.
Decals are 85% but the black paint is tired also! (It's getting alloy 700s whatever: )

I never saw this Raleigh 1/8" chainwheel before, with changeable rings? Sturdy item anyway: )

OTS 

Very nice !

I'd proudly ride either or both of those.

Bearly sane

Quite a lovely bike, certainly one of the cleanest looking customs that I've seen in a while.

Ride it with Pride!

clubman 

The 3 pin crankarms were available on most of the Raleigh 'club' lineup but what looks different is the chainring. Others made them, Solida and Nicklin for example but the mounting holes were often different sizes. Williams will fit too of course. Nice bikes!

cudak888 

Very nice. Love the slack seattube of the Royal Enfield.

P.S.: Please send all your Bluemels to me for proper disposal. Thanks (Seriously jealous that you can find stuff with Bluemels out there in the UK, when over here, it's eBay or nothing).

-Kurt

Bicyclz

You educate me there! I hadn't even considered it much.
This particular chain-set was an upgrade in late 1990s on this bike, but not known by me previously. (Just an aside, really: )
But that's how we all learn, isn't it?

That's why this site is so cool.
Me into English bikes & their details, but best knowledge is from other side of the pond?: )
Not complaining, just explaining.

Bicyclz

Hi Kurt.
You did get a pair of chromed Tange forks from me a while previously?: )
Ex Viscount in my case.

Well, English parts are just a 'Shippers charges problem' between us?
Shipping charges should not be such an impediment to international trade?

Depends what is is, I agree.
But it is always possible, innit?

Bicyclz

Me, I love this traditional format, & I do ride with pride: )
Yes! Most definitely.

Bicyclz

[QUOTE=If I could add one suggestion, I'd say you should give some pinstriping a go and try to get around those pretty little lugs. It would highlight the vintage lines. Even better, you could try to match those spear points on your other Superlight in white or gold, which I think would look stunning against that red paint.

Cheers!

-Gregory[/QUOTE]
Well, I do have some gold paint & the 'pen' to apply it.
I just need the time to try it: )

cudak888 

Unless that was 8 years ago, it probably wasn't me!

Fenders usually wind up costing the same as wheels to ship because of the box size - by that point, I might be better buying NOS Bluemels off eBay. Some colors are pretty hard to come by though.

-Kurt

Bicyclz

IMO Fenders/Guards & wheels are expensive & awkward to ship within UK, let alone International. Properly packed that is.
Put together a small consignment though, it can be done economically. Extra baggage on a flight? Been done.

For me it's not just UK/North America, I'd love to have a certain USA made Singer 301/Rocketeer/ + others, for example.
But shipping sewing machines is madder than for bicycles across Atlantic!

Does Guerciotti ring a bell? Doesn't matter, might be my SD: )

Bicyclz

Thank you! You mentioned Nicklin & you are absolutely right: )
Can't think why I assumed it was Raleigh... It has a 'cast-in' N on the insides of the arms when I remove it, & able to see.
Happily I do have some spare Williams rings somewhere.

I've got the black one dismantled right now & considering what to do with it.
The paint is just too nice for a refinish. As I originally intended.
It'd be be a shame to spoil it, so do I rebuild it myself as is?
Or, sell it as is?

Quandry of the day, today....