anjirlly

I've read that 3-speed build quality declined after the 1950s. I already own a nice 1966 Raleigh Sports, and am wondering if it's worth a 4-hour round trip to check out a 1958 Humber. What parts of a 1958 bike would be better than in the mid-60s? (I already know that full chain cases are fairly rare.)

https://grandrapids.craigslist.org/bik/3822138819.html

Velognome 

They are about the same. He Humber is cool since you don't see as many plus it's got a full chaincase. For $125, I'd take a ride and buy it

Mike from Iowa

It's really hard to tell from the photo but Humber used to have distinctive "Twin" legs on the front fork. That may be what I'm seeing in the first photo, but it's hard to tell. I'm not sure if after Raleigh took over Humber they continued to use that style.

If you're looking for differences from your 1960's bike, the plastic around the rear reflector on the Humber is black, that is a 1950's phenomenon.

I'd go get it just for the license plate, but then again my wife's name is "Lisa."

RaleighBikeGuy

Yes, looks like the characteristic Humber-style split fork blades. These were present on both pre-Raleigh and Raleigh-built Humbers.

Gradually the chroming, bearing surfaces, and QC declined on these bikes; The 1950s were probably the best years, but I would guess most consider anything before the 1970s to be "good" years. The Humber looks really neat! Keep us "posted" !

threespeedhub

It looks a nice piece, the double bladed fork is always a nice talking point and if hidden in the chaincase the cut out Humber chain ring is cool. There is the 1958 Raleigh Dealers Reference guide at https://threespeedhub.com/catalog-category/1950-1959/ (allow time to load, a whopping 207 pages) and on page 144 you can see it shown with the hockey stick chainguard. You can also see what I mean about the chain ring, almost a shame to hide it.

sailorbenjamin

When did they go from stainless spokes to galvanized? The stainless spokes really polish up nice. I'd drive 4 hours for a pair of those wheels. It's worth asking for better pictures of the saddle to make sure there are no splits or tears around the rivets. If the saddle is good I'd start scheduling a drive.

PatrickZ

Great Site! I look forward to reading the catalogs and manuals. Thanks!

F red

Yes, those are duplex forks, which is a fascinating novelty. Invented before ovalized tapered tubing was made for forks from what I understand. My 60's Humber has plain forks.