dweenk

I had been following a Raleigh on CL for a couple of months now (see the "Calling a Raleigh Expert" thread). Well the seller eventually dropped his price to something worth talking about - I made an offer and he accepted.
I bought a lady's Sports from him in January. It was made for the Belgian market evidently, so it was outfitted a bit differently than what I have seen in catalog scans. The one I picked up is a Belgian model also - a Raleigh Royale. Here it is. This is the first Nottingham Raleigh that I have seen with a decal head badge, does anyone know about others?

Notice the BSA forks and the lock on the seat stay. The shop's name is on the fender - Alain Mertens, I wonder if they are still in business? The serial number is on the left side of the seat tube near the top - MG17365.

It has Huret derailleurs (Svelto RD and axle wingnuts), a Brooks B-17 in great condition, inoxiodable fenders (stainless with a shield logo enclosing a GW), Normandy hubs, Dansi headlight, and French 622 tires on steel rims (can't find a brand name on either yet).

The stem and bars are steel, steel Raleigh brake calipers with steel levers, original looking Raleigh grips, and an ESGE rear rack. The dynamo is missing and the wiring has been cut sometime in the past. I have no problem re-wiring things, but the only dynamo I have is a Chinese model I bought at a bike swap for $3.00 a couple of years ago. I don't have a problem using it, but a Miller would be nice.

I have gotten it cleaned up, at least superficially. The paint and decals look to be mainly OK - just some scratches, and I found a cheap Sunlite pump to fit the frame.

dweenk

And more pix...

nlerner

I have two 1930s Raleighs with decal head badges, but haven't heard of or seen any beyond that era.

dweenk

As near as I can figure from Kurt Kaminer's serial number info, it was built in Malaysia in May of 1971.