Short segment of today's ride, handheld phone recording, listening to all the clicks and clanks and rattles. I don't recall if other 3-speeds I've had sounded like this.

https://vimeo.com/230046077
(not sure if I'm posting the video correctly)

Just spruced up this beauty.


https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4343/...586cc1ef_h.jpg20170817_134147 by flog00, on Flickr
https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4334/...cd512158_h.jpg20170817_134156 by flog00, on Flickr
https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4343/...df2a0f49_h.jpg20170817_134209 by flog00, on Flickr
https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4413/...bf2cbd49_h.jpg20170817_134224 by flog00, on Flickr
https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5701/...f1c7c7ec_h.jpg20170817_134233 by flog00, on Flickr
https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4408/...8f8a8709_h.jpg20170817_134241 by flog00, on Flickr
https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4354/...34410e7d_h.jpg20170817_134305 by flog00, on Flickr
20170817_134305 by flog00, on Flickr

She is a beauty. What a classy ride. Amazing for an almost 50 year old bike.

[MENTION=252763]Flog00[/MENTION] I saw the star on those hub nuts on PG's Norman Rapide. It was on the bolt atop the GB stem.

Seriously nice ladies Sport! How is the Men's turning out?

Flog00,

Beautiful, just beautiful.

I sold the men's bike to a friend. He's doing the resto on that one.
I have the ladies for sale locally.
I must say,it rides better than the men's version and is easy on, easy off lol

This early 60's Rudge frame will be my 3 speed drop bar conversion choice. It came to me all original and as a 10 speed. The spacing in the rear is already close to what an SA needs.

Since I have had this, it has stayed as a 10 speed, gone to a 5 speed and spent a little time as a single speed. Time for it to enjoy the gentlemanly 3 speed style.

I have a 59' SA hub coming from [MENTION=185977]clubman[/MENTION] plus a few helpful bits to help the project along. Can't wait!

While I wait, i worked up the ERD of the 27" Dunlop rim and measurement of an SA hub. Plugged those numbers into a few sites and came up with the spoke length. Went to the spoke box and got lucky, plenty of stainless spokes to do the 40 hole hub. Ready when it arrives...

A few views

That Rudge Rapide will be cool! Was or something like a Grand Prix?

:p

I think it will be too, thanks! Really love the maroon that Rudge used. It is not a high end frame or tubing.it is 2030 tubing Raleigh used this frame for its model Royal I believe. It's a nice rider so knew it would be a good candidate for the conversion. The hard part of the project will be to take two broken 50's era shifters and make one work.

I look forward to having some nice fall rides on this.

Lovely bike. I'd say it's the Rudge clone of a '62 Gran Sport with GB Coureur 66's, Dunlop Special Lightweights etc.
The workmanship that went into these hi tensile frames were just great back then.

My thinking as well. I have one of those 62 Gran Sports as well. They both share many of the same components but the Raleigh of course got just another level up from the Rudge. The GB brakes are the same but different, the Dunlops are the same but different, both saddles are Brooks but different, both were 10 speeds but different manufactures.

FYI...Ran across something on YouTube last night. Everyone is familiar with the transportation boards film " Cyclist Special " but there is a similar film which has the out takes from the film and a lot of the snips that made it.

Sorry I do not know how to link.

If you get a chance, take a look " cyclist tour Warwickshire " not really long but had a lot of good bike shots for us to stare at, no sound track included just the time numbers ticking away for editing purposes.

Attachment 576657

Attachment 576658The neighbor a block over had this sitting along side his house and offered $10 when finally asked him about its future he said sold! It is in almost new condition 1986-10 on the TWC-111 3 speed SA coaster brake hub. The front hub says Phillips It has pedals made in Germany Mesinger seat says USA-? The sticker on the headset-? There is a general lack of decals and the paint is real close to perfect. I don't suspect repaint. Every indication points toward a Phillips as the chainguard says. Nothing too special here but Someone will enjoy it. Serial # 84264 at seat post lug with a "D" under the #. Whats the "H" decal on the fork headset?

Nice pics!:thumb:

Now let's see MORE photos of three speeds "in the wild" and being ridden. Because "garage doors as backgrounds" get boring after awhile. ;)

Attachment 576692

Attachment 576693Found!!! serial # 69722
This Raleigh is my winter restoration project. Restoration because of the repaint done about 1970 and because of wrong pedals and rear fender. Very good otherwise. Single speed. I couldn't find the serial number in any of the suggested places. you can see where it is,where the top tube plugs into the seat tube on the left side.
It is not a 1900 Raleigh
I am inclined, with your opinions and knowledge notwithstanding, to call it a 1959 Dawn Tourist.

Sheldon says Raleigh reused serial number on some 60's and 70's frames.
This bottom bracket has an oiler. Discontinued 1960?ish
Bike had 1959 State bicycle license plate attached when purchased at yard sale in 2000.
So maybe---maybe not.

Hard to tell. The 58 Dawn came with a single speed and hockey stick chainguard. The Dawn Tourist came with the enclosed chainguard. The brazed pulley mount suggests 58-59. Do you have 26 or 28 inch wheels?
Serial numbers are unreliable but even without a rear SA hub date, you're still in the right time frame.

@plympton As I recall, your bike has the earlier style head tube lug (bracket) shape. That dates it the frame to before 1955. Now, with this new photo, I see another detail. It has a brazed on guide pulley lug on the top tube (1951-1959). So a frame with both of these details dates it between 1951 and 1954.

23" bike with 26" wheels. Should be a fun project. Is re-chroming expensive? Never had it done. All the pieces together wouldn't fill a dip basket.

Hey BigChief, not to question your eyesight but how can you see that head tube lug? Is there a another set of pics?

I didn't hear anything unusual....some of mine are noisier than others, and chaincases are especially bad....

Hmmm. Am I thinking of another bike? That could be. I think my memory might be getting worse as I age, but I can't remember if it was any better when I was young.:eek:

Attachment 576727

Attachment 576728

Attachment 576729Here are other pictures. Head tube lug shape.

I can't tell any difference between this and other models. Kurt K has documented lug patterns for Sports models on The Headbadge but maybe someone else with 50's DL-1s can chime in. OP, if you find similarities with serial numbers from the late 50's, go with it until proven otherwise.

Ah Thank you!! I'm not going dodgy after all. Yup, pre 55 lug shape. The 1948 catalog shows the Dawn models with clamp on guides. The 1951 catalog shows the Dawn with the brazed on guide.
Retro Raleighs-1951 Raleigh Catalogue Page 20 Dawn

Thanks BigChief, learn some new every day.