Raleigh Chiltern Find
10-07-23, 12:17 PM
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Raleigh Chiltern Find
Picked up what to me is a real find today; a virtually new Raleigh Chiltern, made Dec 1991.
Never been ridden, never been spanner-ed, sat collecting dust at the back of someones garage all its life.
A spin around the block confirmed all is well, only a few minor scratches mar an otherwise pristine paint job and barely any rust on the chrome.
I was surprised how effortlessly it bowls along, with quick steering yet a 'hands off' ride.
I expected it to weigh more than its 32.5lbs and feels much lighter.
It's certainly brightened up my day!
What's not to like?
Never been ridden, never been spanner-ed, sat collecting dust at the back of someones garage all its life.
A spin around the block confirmed all is well, only a few minor scratches mar an otherwise pristine paint job and barely any rust on the chrome.
I was surprised how effortlessly it bowls along, with quick steering yet a 'hands off' ride.
I expected it to weigh more than its 32.5lbs and feels much lighter.
It's certainly brightened up my day!
What's not to like?
10-07-23, 12:53 PM
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Interesting they did away with the self adjusting brake levers
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10-09-23, 11:01 AM
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Now I've had the opportunity to give this bike the once over I'm sharing a selection of photo's just to show what a remarkable machine this is ,,, hope you agree.
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10-09-23, 12:40 PM
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BumpyRidesDoneDirtCheap
I never quite understood how these bikes remain in such eXcellent shape after so many years
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10-09-23, 12:53 PM
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Dan, they speak for themselves...........this one never turned a wheel, dry stored, just waiting for this lucky fellow to appreciate it.
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10-09-23, 02:53 PM
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BumpyRidesDoneDirtCheap
Cyclespanner, it is a double miracle - never turning a wheel - and being lucky to find it
10-09-23, 03:23 PM
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Hi Dan, thank you.
I'd spotted this bike on 'fleabay' about a week before.
The vendors photo's looked promising, but the clincher was it was relatively local and it wasn't expensive.
First I got into contact, to establish the frame was suitable for me....'yea!' it was (21'').
These types of bikes are quite common in the UK and aren't normally expensive. However, being over 20 years since they were last made means often the used condition is an issue.
I'm aware of people who think enough of them to be going to the expense and trouble to restore them.
So it was 'Bingo' when no one else bid for it and I drove over there in my 'hatchback' a couple of hours later.
The vendor was a charming fellow and removed the front wheel and kindly lifted it into my car, at his suggestion.
So here it is and I feel fortunate to have it....it would have been substantially more expensive to get another that would need refurbishing.
A subtle feature I discovered wile cleaning it is, the rear brake cable is routed through the cross bar,,,,which means it can be supported on a work stand clamp without crushing it.
Nice touch, Raleigh.
I'd spotted this bike on 'fleabay' about a week before.
The vendors photo's looked promising, but the clincher was it was relatively local and it wasn't expensive.
First I got into contact, to establish the frame was suitable for me....'yea!' it was (21'').
These types of bikes are quite common in the UK and aren't normally expensive. However, being over 20 years since they were last made means often the used condition is an issue.
I'm aware of people who think enough of them to be going to the expense and trouble to restore them.
So it was 'Bingo' when no one else bid for it and I drove over there in my 'hatchback' a couple of hours later.
The vendor was a charming fellow and removed the front wheel and kindly lifted it into my car, at his suggestion.
So here it is and I feel fortunate to have it....it would have been substantially more expensive to get another that would need refurbishing.
A subtle feature I discovered wile cleaning it is, the rear brake cable is routed through the cross bar,,,,which means it can be supported on a work stand clamp without crushing it.
Nice touch, Raleigh.
Last edited by Cyclespanner; 10-27-23 at 08:39 AM.
